Monday 16 March sees the start of Taste the Nation - ITV1's cookery contest that pits county against county in a cook-off compered by Nick Hancock - a knock-out best of British food competition, where amateur cooks are mentored by celebrity chefs and judged - firmly but fairly - on taste, presentation and regional difference by Henrietta, William Sitwell, Editor of Waitrose Food Illustrated and Richard Johnson, Food Writer.


Over six weeks, 32 counties will fight it out for the prestigious crown of Taste the Nation County Champions. The nation is divided into eight regions - each region has a Celebrity Chef Team Captain and within each region there are four counties so each chef mentors four teams of four.
So make sure you tune in to ITV1 at 5pm weekdays.


THIS WEEK'S COOK-OFF MONDAY 20 APRIL 2009

For the first semi-final in Taste the Nation, the competing teams are cooking Hake with mussel butter, Halibut, Braised pig's cheeks, Raspberry souffle and Sticky toffee pudding.

TUESDAY 21 APRIL 2009

The two teams competing for the semi-final places in Taste the Nation are cooking Poached skate wing, Rose vea chop, Seared scallops, Steamed guinea fowl and Chocolate tart today.

WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL 2009

Today the teams visit an exclusive West London restaurant, with dishes to be judged by the panel.

THURSDAY 23 APRIL 2009

The contest stays at the West London restaurant where the teams continue to battle it out, with the judges expecting the highest of standards from the menus.

FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2009

Congratulations to Rosemary Schrager and her Northumberland team for winning the final of Taste the Nation 2009!

For more information on saving the British cherry and CherryAid, including our celebrations at Borough Market 16-18 July visit CherryAid

As Henrietta says "Judging Taste the Nation was huge fun and will - I hope - make compelling viewing. It also confirmed what I've always believed - Britain has great produce, ingredients and cooks - and taste.

"I'd be really interested in hearing what you think of the programme - what you think of my judging skills, whether we made the right decision - or even what your favourite dish of the series is. Blog me on FoodScoop and tell us your thoughts."