CUMBRIAN cuisine takes centre stage when a Lake District chef cooks up a Kendal Calling-inspired treat on The Great British Menu later this week.

Hrishikesh Desai, executive chef at The Gilpin Hotel, in Windermere, starred on Thursday’s episode of the hit BBC Two show, paying tribute to the county’s biggest music festival.

The theme for the week was celebrating the British music industry, and in these North West heats the Indian-born chef chose to celebrate the bands and artists featuring at Lowther Deer Park for Kendal Calling 2019.

“I felt it would be great to include my local music festival, which is renowned all over the UK and create a main course around it,” says Hrishikesh, 39.

“Since Kendal Calling is held at Lowther Deer Park, I felt that using venison for the main course was ideal - it is one of my favourite meats, and brings the festival and the dish together.

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“Just as rock bands usually comprise four members, I did four components for my main course - the venison, a truffle potato, a beetroot guitar and a butternut squash kofta - to represent my four members of the band to play at Kendal Calling.”

Kendal Calling takes place at Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith, from July 25-28, with headline acts such as Courteeners, Doves, Manic Street Preachers, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Orbital, Years & Years, and Tom Jones.

Comedians Josh Widdicombe, Paul Smith, Reginald D Hunter and Justin Moorhouse are also on the bill.

Hrishikesh adds: “What I like about Kendal Calling is that they give chances to bands who are not yet household names.

“I hope I get a chance to see how the festival works and what it is like to be there when it is in full-swing.”

Hrishikesh appeared in the North West heats of The Great British Menu, on BBC Two on Thursday April 11, 8pm.

Final Kendal Calling tickets are available now from www.kendalcalling.co.uk/tickets

Follow @KendalCalling and like the festival on Facebook for more info.