TV dinner will be a Great British winner, says Tim

Yorkshire is fast becoming the foodie capital of Britain, says a leading chef � and he�s going on national TV to prove it.

Tim Bilton is so sure of his county�s cuisine that he�s pitting it against all comers on the BBC2 series Great British Menu.

�I�m proud to be representing God�s Own County on the show, and confident of doing well,� said Tim, who runs The Butchers Arms in Hepworth, near Huddersfield.

�Here in Yorkshire we have the finest ingredients, the best producers and the most discerning diners. Jamie, Heston and Gordon cook some good stuff, but it�s never quite up to our standards!�

Celebrating the wealth of delicious produce grown, reared and fished across the UK, the fifth series of Great British Menu will see Tim competing against 23 of Britain�s top chefs for the opportunity to cook a glorious banquet.

This year the guest list for the banquet will be made up of some of the best British food producers and suppliers from around the country.

The 2010 Great British Menu will retain its distinctive format, with a few twists. This year, three great culinary talents will battle it out in the regional heats � Tim will be competing in the North East region. Great British Menu will be shown on BBC2, from Monday April 5 at 6.30pm.

It is a great honour to be among the select few chosen to compete in the high-profile series. Previous contestants have included Antony Worrall Thompson, Gary Rhodes and John Burton Race.

Tim intends to batter the opposition with a menu bursting with fare sourced from producers close to his restaurant. And there�s not a Yorkshire pudding in sight. However, the newly crowned Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb, with its Protected Destination of Origin EU status (PDO), is also staring on Tim�s menu.

He kicks off his campaign with a recipe of wild North Yorkshire rabbit with a baby leaf and cress salad. The ingredients include cured York ham, Yorkshire quail�s eggs and Black Sheep beer from Masham. Also on Tim�s menu is Venison from Fountains Abbey and an intriguingly named recipe which Tim calls �A Day at the Seaside�.

This will be judged by one of last year�s Great British Menu winners, Nigel Haworth � from rival county Lancashire.

�It�s such a delicious combination of textures and flavours that even a Lancashire chef will be impressed,� said Tim, Yorkshire Chef of the Year 2009.

�I�m hoping he�ll take one mouthful and declare: �That�s champion!��

Note to Editors:

� Whilst the series is on television, visitors to the Butchers Arms at Hepworth will be able to dine on Tim�s Great British Menu. You have seen the menu on the telly � now go and try it out for yourself for real. � Tim began cooking aged 13, later working for two inspiring years at Raymond Blanc�s Le Manoir aux Quat� Saisons in Oxfordshire. � Tim went on to chef in France for 18 months. � Tim was head chef at the iconic 350 seater Bibis Italian Restaurant in Leeds city centre � Tim has transformed The Grade II listed country inn is found in the picturesque hamlet of Hepworth between Holmfirth and Penistone � �Last of the Summer Wine country � The Butchers Arms was awarded �Dining Pub of the Year� in the Yorkshire Life Awards 2009

Note to Editors:

For further information or to interview Tim please contact:

Annie Stirk Absolutely Food PR & Marketing Close House Stillington York YO61 1JU T: 01347 810531 M: 07771 655756 E: admin@absolutelyfood.co.uk

Or

Timothy Bilton The Butchers Arms Hepworth 38 Towngate Hepworth Holmfirth HD9 1TE T: 01484 682361 E: thebutchersarmsathepworth@btconnect.com

For more details about the Butchers Arms, Hepworth, see www.thebutchersarmshepworth.co.uk