The owner of Bristol restaurant group Woky Ko will appear on the new series of cookery show Great British Menu.
Representing the region where he grew up in his parent’s Cardiff Chinese takeaway, Larkin Cen, will be joining a line-up of top chefs to represent Wales in the popular programme.
Larkin will battle it out in the kitchen for a chance to cook at the ultimate end-of-season banquet. The theme of this year’s series is a celebration of 100 years of British Broadcasting, with each participating chef tasked with creating mesmerising dishes that both represent their region as well as television itself.
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With the three Wales episodes set to air from Tuesday February 15 to Thursday February 17, Larkin, Nathan Davies, Tom Phillips and Mark Threadgill will attempt to impress a mystery veteran chef with a show-stopping starter, fish course, main and dessert.
Based on traditional Chinese flavours, Larkin’s food illustrates his refined and intricate style of Chinese cooking.
As a self-confessed ‘noodle obsessive’, he hopes that a combination of his authentic Asian techniques and competitive nature will take him all the way to the banquet.
His playful menu celebrates popular Welsh-based children’s programme, Fireman Sam, and showcases his impressive knowledge of Asian cooking methods.
Presented by chef, television and radio broadcaster and singer, Andi Oliver, the new series welcomes a new judging line-up of Michelin-starred GBM double banquet winner Tom Kerridge, restaurateur Nisha Katona and comedian and food podcast presenter Ed Gamble.
Founded in 2017, Woky Ko has four restaurants across the city, each with a unique offering.
Woky Ko’s menus deliver traditional Taiwanese bao, Chinese chow mein and Japanese katsu, as well as some modern takes like Korean fried chicken and signature noodle dishes.
A 2013 MasterChef finalist, Larkin’s interest in food began as a child - watching his parents cook in their Cardiff Chinese takeaway - but it wasn’t until five years ago that he gave up his profession as a lawyer to pursue a career as a chef.
He was chef consultant at The Celtic Manor for three years, before opening his own restaurant Woky Ko.
Larkin’s techniques and methods are rooted in Chinese heritage, but with influence from all over Asia and he now owns four restaurants in Bristol with a development kitchen in Wales.
