Samira Effa Competes in Top Cooking Competition Show

Samira Effa, Head Chef at Bar & Restaurant EightyEight, is competing in the 2024 series of hit BBC Two cooking competition, Great British Menu. 

This is Samira’s third time competing on the hit BBC TV show, previously taking part in the 2019 and 2020 series. Samira has been Head Chef since June 2022 at the Asian-inspired EightyEight, located at Grantley Hall hotel in North Yorkshire. 

Samira Effa, said: “I am so proud to be taking part in the Great British Menu for the third time this year, the fact that I’ve been asked back again is really humbling. The show has a fantastic following with viewers from not just the chef world, but further afield and I love to see it ignite excitement in food for so many people. It really demonstrates that food can bring people together in that shared enjoyment of an experience.” 

Simon Crannage, Executive Chef at Grantley Hall, said: “It’s fantastic to see Samira on our screens once again, showcasing her culinary passion and flying the flag for Yorkshire. Samira has exceptional talent and I’m extremely proud that she is able to express this on Great British Menu once again this year. I’m sure it will come across on your screens, but Samira champions Yorkshire produce wherever she can in her cooking, with so many fantastic ingredients coming out of the Yorkshire region to use. We’re looking forward to watching her journey on the show and wanted to say a huge congratulations to her for competing for the third time.” 

The 19th series starts on Tuesday 23rd January at 8pm on BBC Two, with Samira’s region, the North East & Yorkshire being the first in the series to compete this year. This year the series theme is celebrating the Olympics and Paralympics and is presented by Andi Oliver, with regular judges, the previous two-time banquet winner, Tom Kerridge, restaurateur Nisha Katona and comedian and food podcast broadcaster, Ed Gamble.