Mancunian chef set to dazzle on Great British Menu

Manchester-born chef, Ryan Stafford, will appear on the current season of Great British Menu, making
his debut on the BBC show tonight (27th February).

The executive chef of Fold Bistro and Bottle Shop in Marple Bridge, Stockport, is one of four chefs competing in the North West regional heat of the popular cooking show.

Ryan Stafford on the Great British Menu

The show challenges chefs to design a four-course themed set menu with this year’s brief centering around the Olympics and Paralympics.

No stranger to a brief, Ryan has previously been part of teams responsible for providing the menu for
events at Kensington Palace, the BAFTA’s and National Portrait Gallery to name a few.

He began his professional career in his early twenties, training at the Tante Marie cookery school in Surrey before heading to London and working in Gordon Ramsey’s ‘The Boxwood Cafe’ before leaving to work under
Andrew Parkinson, the executive chef at Jamie Oliver’s ‘Fifteen.’

Ryan Stafford on Masterchef

It was whilst working at Fifteen that he was unknowingly submitted by Parkinson into the second series of Masterchef: The Professionals where he reached the semi-finals, finishing in fourth place.

In 2010, he left Fifteen and ventured into high-end catering working for Alison Price and Rocket Food, as
well as a stint as a private chef which saw him travel the world.

Opening a restaurant in Marple

In 2022, Ryan’s childhood friend Mike and business partner Sean, informed him of their plan to open a
restaurant in Marple Bridge where they grew up and he accepted the role of executive chef. Fold Bistro
opened in January 2023, boasting a menu of seasonal sharing plates that focus on the finest, local and
responsibly sourced ingredients, served in a friendly setting.

“Getting chosen to appear on this year’s Great British Menu is such a huge honour and felt like the culmination of everything I’ve learned over the last 15 years ” said Ryan.

“Most importantly, representing the North West and Fold Bistro on a national platform is one of the proudest moments of my professional life.

“Having my abilities tested alongside some of the greatest chefs in the industry was such a thrill and I honestly felt like a kid in a sweet shop.”

The North West heats of Great British Menu will air at 8pm on BBC Two on Tuesday 27th February.

You can find out more about Fold Bistro by clicking here