Gemma Austin represents Northern Ireland in Great British Menu

Four of Northern Ireland’s finest chefs go head-to-head with canapés, starters and fish dishes inspired by 100 years of British broadcasting.

One of the four chefs is the very talented Gemma Austin from A Peculiar Tea. Having competed last year, Carryduff chef Gemma is back in the Great British Menu kitchen.

Having made it through to the judge’s chamber last year, Gemma is determined more than ever to get one of her dishes to the banquet this year.

Gemma opened her highly praised restaurant, A Peculiar Tea in Belfast which serves themed dinners and afternoon teas. Not only are the menus intelligent and creative, but they’re playful and fun, creating a temporary escape from ‘the real world.’

Gemma said in her BBC profile that she, “owes her love of food to her mother who was a chef in a local Belfast restaurant”.

The other chefs competing against Gemma include Chris McClurg – Chef de Cuisine at No6, Stephen Hope – owner of Dawsons Kitchen, and Marty McAdam – owner of The Street Kitchen.

Find out how Gemma and the others get on midweek – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – on BBC 2 at 8pm. You can catch up on missed episodes on iPlayer.