...and it won't be Bake-Off all over again

James Acaster had a famously tough time on Celebrity Bake-Off, but the comedian is going back to the world of cooking competition… this time as a judge.

Dinner Is Scrapped will see two celebrity chefs battle it out in the kitchen but using only ecologically sound ingredients, such as so-called ‘upcycled foods’ – waste and byproducts that would not have otherwise been consumed by humans – and ‘regeneratively produced’ crops, designed to keep soil healthy.

The chefs are led by Michelin-starred chef Douglas McMaster, whose London restaurant Silo, bills itself as the world's first zero waste restaurant.

Acaster, who co-hosts the food-based Off Menu podcast with Ed Gamble, is one of the judges alongside chef and broadcaster Andi Oliver (above with the comedian), YouTuber Max Fosh, Love Island star Faye Winter and others.

The pilot episode is currently in post-production and programme-makers WaterBear, a production house for activist content is said to be ‘in conversations’ about where it will air.

Poppy Mason-Watts from WaterBear said: ‘Through Dinner is Scrapped, we’re taking food that people often overlook and proving it can be delicious, and have a nature-positive impact.’

The company is making eight half-hour episodes with fellow  production house Park Village, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, set up by the round-the-world sailor to fight climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.  

Seb Egerton-Read, from the foundation, said the show aimed to ‘demonstrate the differences that can be achieved by using ingredients which have been grown with nature in mind’ adding: By rethinking the food on their plate, audiences can take part in and drive the demand for a food system that is better for people, nature and the climate.'

Here's Acaster's infamous Bake-Off appearance:

Published: 17 Feb 2025