Two of the Midlands most-respected chefs, Mike Bullard and Liam Dillon, are going head-to-head in The Boat Inn kitchen, to battle it out to be named the best chef. For one night only on Wednesday 13 April, the duo will prepare and serve a six-course dinner, with three dishes cooked anonymously by Mike and three by Liam, which guests will then score to crown a winner in the ultimate cook-off.
The versus dining experience will offer guests six opulent courses, with the winner of the evening announced the following day. With a surprise menu set to be unveiled on the night itself, the pair will both be bringing their signature styles to their dishes in a bid to tip-off guests about whose belong to who.
Commenting on the rival dinner, Liam said:
“I’ve known Mike for some time and we’re great friends, so a bit of competition between us has long been on the cards. This is a great opportunity to go head-to-head and serve up some playful rivalry, while also giving our guests the chance to try our finest menus at the same time. I have huge respect for Mike and all he’s achieved at The Butchers Social at The Forest Hotel so far and I hope Lichfield is as excited as I am to host him at The Boat Inn later this month!”
Keen TV fans will recognise Liam from the BBC’s Great British Menu, where he represented the Midlands in both series 16 and 17. When he’s not on television, however, Liam sits at the helm of Lichfield’s award-winning modern British restaurant, The Boat Inn. Not only is it Michelin recommended, but The Boat Inn is also the only restaurant in Staffordshire to hold 3 AA rosettes.
Similarly, Mike of The Butchers Social is also well-known in the Midlands food scene, having cooked up success for himself in Harborne, Henley-in-Arden, and most recently, Dorridge. Having acquired and re-launched the much-loved characteristic coach house, The Forest Hotel, last year, Mike and his team serve up nationally recognised menus in the quaint village not far from Solihull. Already, The Butchers Social has been lauded by The Times for having one of the top Sunday roasts in the country, while The Forest Hotel has received a 4-star AA rating alongside an AA award for the menu.
Mike added:
“Liam really is, in my opinion, one of the ones to watch in the Midlands, and his food never disappoints. As a fellow-Midlands chef, it’s been great to see how he’s represented the region on stages like Great British Menu, and shown the rest of the country exactly why our food-scene is one to write home about. It’s going to be tough to beat him… but I’ll certainly be giving it a go!
“Versus dinners like this one are such a fantastic way for guests to enjoy two menus in one sitting, while having a bit of fun at the same time. I have no doubt that it is going to be a fantastic evening, and I for one can’t wait to see who wins!”
Tickets for the exclusive six-course menu will be available at £100 per person, and reservations can now be made on The Boat Inn’s website here.