Bird on board as 2016 Best Brigades judge

Chef-restaurateur Alan Bird has been announced as a judge to join the search for Essential Cuisine's campaign: Britain's Best Brigades 2016.

The chef-patron of Bird of Smithfield joins incoming British Culinary Federation chairman Matt Davies and Essential Cuisine MD Nigel Crane in a judging panel tasked with whittling paper entries down to just eight regional finalists.

Kitchens have until noon on 25 April to go to www.bestbrigades.co.uk and register their brigade as Britain's best.

The competition is offering a £1,000 prize along with a bespoke menu development masterclass with a leading chef.

The final eight regional videos will be put to a public vote to decide which kitchen should be crowned as Britain's best.

"I'm delighted to join Essential Cuisine in their hunt for the most outstanding kitchen team in the UK," said Bird.

"Having worked in some high pressure kitchens, I know the importance of chef teams pulling together when it matters the most."