Michelin-Starred Chef Jean Delport to Compete in Great British Menu 2025
Chef Jean Delport on Great British Menu.
Restuarant Interlude's Executive Chef, Jean Delport, is set to showcase his culinary creativity on this year's Great British Menu, representing London and the South East in the prestigious BBC Two competition. Now in its 20th anniversary year, the show invites the UK's top chefs to create dishes inspired by this year's theme: historical figures from the past of their region. The winning dishes will be served at a magnificent banquet at Blenheim Palace.
Hosted by Andi Oliver, the series features a panel of esteemed judges, including Michelin-starred chef and two-time banquet winner Tom Kerridge, comedian and food podcast broadcaster Ed Gamble, and new for this year, Scotland’s Michelin-starred Lorna McNee, a former Champion of Champions on the show.
Jean Delport, Executive Chef of one Michelin-starred and Green Michelin-starred Restaurant Interlude, is honoured to take part in Great British Menu 2025, bringing his signature approach to the competition. Nestled within the 240-acre Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens estate in West Sussex, Restaurant Interlude is renowned for its multi-course tasting menu, featuring locally foraged and estate-grown ingredients, combined with South African heritage influences. Delport’s menus pay homage to the landscape, with dishes that highlight wild game, woodland herbs, and seasonal produce.
Chef Jean Delport on Great British Menu
Jean will be competing alongside some of the region's most talented chefs:
Eran Tibi – Kapara & Bala Baya, London
Eve-Marie Seemann – Apricity, London
Jason Howard-Modern Caribbean Chef
Speaking about his participation, Jean said: “It’s an incredible honour to take part in Great British Menu, especially in such a landmark year for the competition. The brief was particularly exciting as it allowed me to draw on the rich history of London and the South East, while still staying true to my style of cooking elevating ingredients from the land around us and telling a story through my dishes. I’m looking forward to competing alongside such talented chefs and seeing how our individual styles come together in the competition.”
About Jean Delport
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Jean Delport honed his fine dining skills in the Cape Winelands, before making the move to the UK to lead Restaurant Interlude at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens. Within a year of opening in 2018, Interlude was awarded its first Michelin star, and in 2023, it earned a Green Michelin Star for its commitment to sustainability. Jean’s cuisine is rooted in foraging, hyper-seasonality, and showcasing the unique flavours of wild and estate-grown produce, with influences from his South African heritage.
About Restaurant Interlude
Located in the historic Leonardslee Gardens estate in West Sussex, Restaurant Interlude offers a truly immersive dining experience, where guests enjoy a carefully curated tasting menu inspired by the landscape. Each dish tells a story of the estate, with foraged elements from the woodlands, lakes, and gardens appearing throughout the menu. The restaurant holds one Michelin star and a Green Michelin star, recognising its commitment to sustainability and local sourcing.