Northumberland-based chef to feature on Great British Menu

Cal Byerley, chef patron of Restaurant Pine based at Vallum Farm in East Wallhouses, will feature as one of four chefs representing the North East in the regional heats and viewers will be able to watch him compete for a place in finals week.

Cal, who grew up on his family farm just one mile down the road from Vallum Farm, started his career in the kitchen working at the nearby Robin Hood Inn at the age of 16.

READ MORE: Further recognition for jewels in Northumberland's culinary crown

His interest in food quickly came to the fore, which saw him embark on a culinary career in some of the UK’s best restaurants, working his way through the ranks to become Head Pastry chef working alongside Kevin Tickle at Michelin-starred Forest Side and prior to that at Simon Rogan’s Rogan & Co.

The 32-year-old opened Pine with his partner Siân Buchan in the summer of 2021, with the restaurant receiving its first Michelin Star in 2022.

It was also awarded a Michelin Green Star for sustainability - the only restaurant in Great Britain & Ireland to be awarded both accolades in 2022.

Pine also entered SquareMeal's top 100 restaurant list at 6 and the National Restaurant Awards top 100 list at 48, Harden’s top 100 UK restaurants at 10 and was rated as exceptional by the Good Food Guide.

Cal said: "It really still hasn’t sunk in that I’m a part of Great British Menu 2023.

"It’s a little bit daunting but I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to show a little of what we are about at Pine and representing Northumberland in the North East regional heats and seeing what happens against some of the UK’s best established and up and coming chefs.''

The show's theme this year is celebrating Britain’s success in animation and illustration.

The new series, which starts with the North East regional heats, will broadcast on BBC Two on Tuesday, January 31 at 8pm.