Michel Roux Jnr to present revival of BBC2's Food & Drink programme
One of the original television food programmes returns to BBC2 tonight with the launch of a new series of Food & Drink.
Michel Roux Jr replaces the original presenter Chris Kelly, while drinks expert Kate Goodman takes on the role made famous by the gushy Jilly Goolden.
The chef role on the programme, originally taken by the late Michael Barry, will now be filled by a succession of guest chefs including Tom Kerridge, Mary Berry, Jun Tunaka, Monica Galetti, Angela Hartnett and Rachel Khoo.
Other contributors include Stefan Gates, Oliver Peyton, William Sitwell, Matthew Fort and Kerstin Rodgers.
The original Food & Drink ran for 20 years, with the last programme being screened in 2001. In its heyday, it was well-known for its campaigning reports, as well as introducing the nation to a wide selection of new ingredients, cooking style and unknown wines. It was also the launch-pad for the television careers of many chefs, including Brian Turner and Antony Worrall Thompson.
Roux is now an established television presenter, alongside his day job as chef-proprietor of the two-Michelin-starred Le Gavroche. He has appeared as a judge on five series of Master Chef: the Professionals, as well as presenting Michel Roux's Service and exploring the life of his culinary hero Auguste Escoffier on BBC Four's The First Master Chef: Michel Roux on Escoffier.
Roux said: "There will be lots of new and exciting recipes and ingredients for viewers to try at home and some surprising modern twists to traditional dishes."
Goodman runs a wine company, Reserve Wines, which she launched in Manchester 10 years ago.
The first episode will see Roux and Goodman joined by Kerridge to create the perfect roast, with Peyton explaining why he thinks British produce needs to be celebrated more and Gates trying to convince people to eat grubs. The programme will be screened tonight at 8pm on BBC 2.
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By Janet Harmer
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