A Sunderland chef is set to represent his region on one of Britain’s top culinary shows.
Ryan McVay, owner and chef at The Calabash Tree in Sunderland, will compete in the North East and Yorkshire heats of BBC Two’s Great British Menu, bringing his distinctive Caribbean-inspired cooking to a national audience.
The first episode in the regional round will air at 6.30pm on Tuesday, March 24.
Mr McVay said: "Being selected to represent the North East is something I'm really proud of.
"There’s so much talent in this region, so to be chosen is a huge honour.
"It pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, but it was an incredible experience and a chance to showcase Caribbean food on a national stage."
Originally a firefighter, Mr McVay changed careers after an injury, turning to food and drawing on his Trinidadian heritage and family recipes to build The Calabash Tree.
He is a self-taught chef, and his restaurant is the first in Sunderland to be featured on Great British Menu.
Inspired by his mother’s Trinidadian background, Mr McVay’s cooking centres on bold, flavourful Caribbean food that challenges stereotypes of the cuisine.
He aims to show there is much more to Caribbean food than just heat.
Mr McVay said: "Caribbean food is all about big flavours and influences from all over the world.
"It’s not just about spice - it’s about balance, culture and storytelling through food."
His appearance on the programme has put a spotlight on the wider underrepresentation of Caribbean cuisine in the North East.
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Viewers will see him create dishes that honour his roots while meeting the creative brief of the competition.
Fans of his cooking can visit The Calabash Tree at The Sheepfolds in Sunderland, where he serves up Caribbean-inspired small plates in a relaxed, music-focused setting.
Great British Menu remains one of the UK’s most respected culinary competitions.
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