Great British Menu 2022 chefs: Olivia Barry, South West heat

Chef and co-owner of Adelina Yard in Bristol Olivia Barry is one of four chefs competing for the South West on Great British Menu 2022

Series 17 of the competition starts on February 1st 2022 on BBC Two at 8pm and will air every Tuesday at 8pm, every Wednesday at 9pm (as of the week commencing March 7th) and Thursday at 8pm for eight weeks.

Olivia is competing against chefs Elly Wentworth, Nat Tallents and Charlotte Vincent for a chance to represent the South West in the regional finals, and ultimately cook a course at the final banquet. This is Olivia's second time on the BBC Two programme representing the South West, having taken part for the first time in 2018.

Nat was the first to leave the competition, sadly not having made it through to cook her whole menu for veteran judge Paul Ainsworth. Second to exit the Great British Menu kitchen was Charlotte, leaving Elly and Olivia to cook for the judge's chamber on Thursday, 17th March at 8pm. 

As 'Liv' scored higher overall for her dishes in the judges chamber, she was selected to represent the South West in the finals, which run from Monday 28th March at 9pm (starter), Tuesday 29th at 8pm (fish), Wednesday 30th March at 9pm (main), and Thursday 31st March at 8pm.

If she makes it to the banquet, she will cook for the guests at a party celebrating 100 years of the BBC on Friday, 1st April 2022 at 7:30pm.

Biography

Born in Bristol, Olivia's Italian heritage meant that her upbringing revolved heavily around food. After studying to be a chef at Bournemouth College, Olivia undertook work experience at London’s St Albans and The Wolseley. She has since worked for the Wright brothers, at Galvin Bistro and at Angela Hartnett's one Michelin-starred Murano.
 
Olivia opened Adelina Yard in Bristol in 2015 with her partner Jamie Randall. The restaurant has 2 AA Rosettes, a Michelin plate and a place in the Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants, alongside Bulrush, Casamia, Gidleigh Park and Outlaw's New Road.

This year on Great British Menu, Olivia's dishes will pay tribute to BBC drama Casualty and one of Britain's national treasures, Sir David Attenborough.