SWANAGE-born chef Chris Wheeler will make his Great British Menu debut when the BBC2 show hits our screens this month.

Originally from Swanage in Dorset, where he also studied at Bournemouth and Poole college, Chris' passion, enthusiasm and culinary excellence was spotted and nurtured from a young age by celebrated Chef Jean Christophe-Novelli.

Chris worked alongside Novelli and was his right-hand man for ten years, where he learned a great deal and gained even more experience and developed his passion for food.

Chris joined Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire in 2003 and has been building up the culinary reputation since, achieving 3 AA Rosettes for the fine-dining restaurant, Humphry's as well as overseeing the entire culinary operation.

Chris is a familiar face on our screens having appeared on Hell's Kitchen 2, Chefs Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, Sunday Brunch and Saturday Kitchen.

But this is the first time he will be going head-to-head with other leading chefs during a tense competition to bake the ultimate banquet.

"I'm really looking forward to being a part of this series of Great British Menu," said Chris.

"It is such honour to be a part of the show and having the chance to come up with some fabulously creative ideas.

"I am delighted to be representing the South West region as it has taken me back to my roots."

This year the series is making history by being the first televised banquet in the Members’ Dining Room in the Palace of Westminster.

And the winner will be given the prestigious prize of cooking at the banquet in honour of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II's 'Great Britons.'

The South West region week will be aired from Monday, September 5 and Chris will be competing against fellow chefs Josh Eggleton and Jude Kereama

In the regional heats, the chefs' dishes will be judged by eight competition veterans. They include Daniel Clifford, Simon Rogan, Phil Howard, Richard Corrigan, Michael O'Hare and Angela Hartnett.

The two chefs who are scored most highly by the Veteran judges will then present their four course menu to award winning restaurant critic, Matthew Fort, doyenne of British cookery, Prue Leith, and acclaimed restaurateur, Oliver Peyton.

Each week the panel of three will be joined by a guest judge who has been feted in his or her field.

Together, with the Great British Menu judges, they will decide which chef will be the champion of their region and worthy of potentially becoming an ambassador for contemporary British cuisine.

The eight regional winners will then compete in the National Finals for a chance to cook at the Great Britons Banquet at the Houses of Parliament.