A POPULAR Taunton restaurant is set to appear in a brand-new BBC Two series to battle it out with other eateries in a bid to become Britain’s top takeaway.
Eat the Bird, an "outrageous fried chicken" restaurant based in Coal Orchard, will make its television debut in an episode of Britain’s Top Takeaways on Thursday, May 12 at 8pm.
The eight-episode series will be co-hosted by BBC Radio 2 drivetime host Sara Cox and comedian Darren Harriott.
Each episode will see five takeaways from the same sector compete against each other.
Viewers will see the chefs cook their favourite dishes in a kitchen studio before their food is delivered to households in and around Manchester for “the ultimate customer critique”.
The customers’ scores will then reveal each episode’s top takeaway.
Owner Dan Aldridge and operations chef Luke McGarvey made the trip to the north west to represent Eat the Bird.
Dan, who launched the business in 2017, told the County Gazette: “It was really good fun.
“It was such a great experience, and it was absolutely amazing to get into that world and understand it.
“Networking with all the other restaurants was really cool, and it was a good vibe.”
The offer to take part came in a Facebook message from one of the show’s producers while Luke was celebrating his birthday in a beer garden with Dan.
They were asked to submit an audition video, which helped narrow down the producers' shortlist of fried chicken takeaways to the final five.
Dan said: “We sent the video off and kept our fingers crossed and, lo and behold, it actually worked.”
Eat the Bird were the only south west takeaway represented in their episode.
“It felt nice to be representing the region and to feel that eyes are on this area,” said Dan.
“The fact that we were in consideration felt amazing for us, and we felt a sense of pride and privilege to be able to do that for the south west.”
When the show was first announced in June, co-host Sara Cox said: “Especially in recent times, the takeaway has become something of an event in our house.
“We look forward to burgers, noodles, curry - all delicious and delivered to our front door.
“I’m thrilled to be celebrating the takeaway and finding the very best in Britain and, if that means eating all the leftover chips and putting on half a stone, so be it.”
Fifth birthday celebrations planned at Eat the Bird
The restaurant and takeaway will celebrate its fifth birthday on Tuesday, May 3 with the return of its £5 burgers.
Eat the Bird will also be performing “some random acts of kindness” for customers throughout the day to thank them for their support.
“Getting to five years in business is amazing,” said Dan.
“It’s been a rollercoaster.
“As a thank you to our customers and for a chance for them to celebrate with us, £5 burgers are back for one day.
“It’s going to be chaos, but it’s going to be good fun.”
Eat the Bird opened its second restaurant in Sidwell Street, Exeter, in July 2019.
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