Cooking up a storm... Mary is back with new TV show to rival Bake Off pal Paul
TV CELEBRITY cook Mary Berry is loved and admired in equal measure by millions for her easy going and enthusiastic judging as seen on Great British Bake Off.
But off screen the knives will be out when she fronts a new BBC show that will pit her head-to-head with Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood.
Mary, 82, is to be the head judge on Britain’s Best Cook, a new series the channel is launching to rival the revamped Bake Off, it was revealed yesterday.
It will see her pitted against her former co-judge Hollywood, 51, who moved with Bake Off to Channel 4, in a fierce ratings war. Claudia Winkleman will host the amateur home cooking show with corporation bosses still searching for a second judge.
Mary has been rewarded for her loyalty after refusing to defect to a rival broadcaster after Love Productions sold Bake Off to Channel 4 for £75million.
The new show will see her casting her critical eye over the sort of home-cooked comfort food that made her a household name.
Mary said: “I am never more at home than when I have my judging hat on. This series is going to encourage proper home cooking which I have always championed and I cannot wait to start. Claudia, for me, is the icing on the cake.”
Classics
Over eight episodes, 10 contestants will be tasked with serving up classic versions of dishes that define modern British home cooking as well as creating special takes on well-loved classics.
Filming has yet to start but it is thought the format will be similar to Bake Off with a contestant voted off each week culminating in a final where Britain’s Best Cook will be crowned.
Confirmation of Mary’s return to prime-time television comes after Bake Off presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins dramatically quit in protest at the show’s move to Channel 4.
The duo said they were not following the money after the BBC was gazumped during negotiations and lost hold of the hugely successful programme. The revamped Channel 4 show will be fronted by South African Prue Leith, 77, Sandi Toksvig, 59, and Noel Fielding, 44.
Britain’s Best Cook is expected to go out on BBC One next year.
Last month Claudia, 45, was revealed as the BBC’s biggest earning female star on a salary between £450,000 and £499,999.
She said: “I am over the moon to be part of this show. I am slightly obsessed with Mary so will follow her around with my own moussaka for most of the filming. Apologies in advance.”
The BBC said: “The judges will be looking for dishes that define a new benchmark of excellence, whether it’s roast beef with the perfect roast potatoes, an ingenious twist on chicken curry or an irresistible chocolate pudding.
“Returning to her first love, with more than 75 cookery books to her name, Mary’s authority in the home kitchen is beyond question and she is the natural choice for the lead judge.”
Charlotte Moore, director of BBC content, said: “Home cooking has quietly become one of the nation’s favourite obsessions and so there is no better place than BBC One to compete for this crown.
“The queen of all judges Mary Berry will be the indisputable head judge with the irresistible Claudia Winkleman hosting proceedings. But, who will be Mary’s judging partner? The search is on.”
Names being touted include previous Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain and celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver, James Martin, Delia Smith, Lorraine Pascale and Nigella Lawson.
John Torode, Ainsley Harriott, Clare Balding, Davina McCall and Greg Wallace are also all believed to be in the frame.
Earlier Mel, 49, revealed she will be tuning in to the new series of Bake Off to see whether the new hosts take the rise out of judge Paul.
She said: “I’m fascinated to know whether they’re going to give him a bit of gyp. I hope so. They really must. It’s part of tradition.”
Prue is being paid a reported £200,000 almost three times as much as the £70,000 Mary got.
HAVING lost the Great British Bake Off to Channel 4 the BBC has announced a rival show. Britain’s Best Cook will see the return of Mary Berry as a judge and be hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Having two such big names is certainly a recipe for success. Fans of the old Bake Off will hope the BBC is about to serve up another treat.