I was so looking forward to this show. The best TV chef (as far as "follow my instructions and it will work" is concerned), a great idea based on support by locals for locals. And then? Basically, no content. The informative value of a show could be condensed into 5 minutes. But even on entertainment value, this was disappointing.

Gary: You are a great food instructor. Rarely can one follow a complicated recipe and get it absolutely perfect the first time, which happens to me regularly when following yours. But the arrogance you are displaying here is more revolting, than a burnt burger from a cheap chip van. The worst about the “judges” on this program is that neither of you is actually following a concept. Each one of you managed to totally contradict him- or herself in less then 4 programs. Go back and review: Make a list of what you are saying about “why this does (or does not) qualify for being a local her”. Then review again.

You should have taken at least some lesson from Rick Stein on how to present a “local hero”. Rick has made me drive 50 miles to a “local” producer to see if it’s all worth it (and it was). This program doesn’t (one or two exceptions, but sadly they’re not local to me). In fact, every other “Chef” who has now done a program about “and this is what we find in this part of the UK” that I have seen, was more enthusiastic and more informative than this program. And I think the main reason is that we lose 30% of the program’s time to listen and watch 3 big heads having some inconsistent and thus useless banter.

And the recent run of the BBC’s Masterchef has demonstrated how one can talk constructively critical about other people’s abilities. Oh dear.. that was a program that improved by Gary’s departure. So maybe it is true, Gary. You just can’t present unless it’s your own recipes? So stop doing other stuff and give us more of your ability to find recipes that we can follow.

I thought the concept of this programme was excellent, but I don't think the execution was good at all.
I had a real problem with the inconsistency of the judges, especially Oliver Rowe who seemed a bit 'flaky' at the best of times. I had a serious issue with his anti-online stance. Why is it that if someone has a website and mail order that he didn't think they were local?
We're in the 21st century, the Internet is a way of life and people shop online all of the time. I think small producers should be praised for trying to get their stuff out to a wider market rather than being criticised for being smart!
Rosemary Shrager's negative comment about the producer who wanted to buy a Chef's table for his restaurant really annoyed me. It was as though they were looking for a politically correct response to the question of what they'd do with the money if they won. In this series, the right response was 'I'd do something to educate children'.
Using celebrities to find the finalists in the regions was not a bad idea, however, not many of the celebs seemed to know about food and I honestly preferred when the chefs did it. I don't know why food critics weren't chosen instead of celebs. If the busy critics from the national press are unavailable, why not choose from the food critics at local newspapers who would have a much better insight into the area and the food culture there?
Why did Gary Rhodes have to have the last word in the event of a draw? Does he go to the shops or farms or actually use the products himself? The audience voted for these people because they have the hands on experience of the products and their vote should count!
Lots of people on this website have suggested ways to make the next series better and I feel that UKTV Food should use more interactive elements to involve the audience more, the show had a very sterile feel about it without this.
Despite the flaws of the programme, it was a great idea by UKTV Food. And I must say congratulations to the producers who were highlighted on the show, they go a long way to making our lives much richer and tastier.

Basic flaws: Since it was celebration of "local" food heros and supplying locally where is the point of putting it on National TV...the fact that the best may be in Glasgow is of no importance to someone living in London.....the fact they won the competition is not going to make a man of Kent go to Glasgow for a bag of carrots !

The correct answer to what they intend doing with the money was...."You tell me what you are doing with your fee and I will tel you what I will do with the prize money.....!!

Yes the concept was good and I eagerly looked forward to it,watched it ,and for me it just all fell apart. Did'nt think it worked at all,and I had real issues with Oliver Rowe being part of the panel.
It should have been excellent, and I agree that UKTV food needs to look and learn from this series,don't dismiss it out of hand ,but pull it around and definately use different ,more plausable judges.
I'm quite happy with the nationwide scope , I'm interested in seeing what happens elsewhere, especially as I , along with many other viewers don't live in the UK. If you live in London , I agree ,no way would you travel to Glasgow for carrots, but you might look harder at the carrots you buy in London , or not as the case may be, what do you think Gnwillou ?

why the cooking test? what does it matter if your greengrocer can cook or not, surely all that matters is that they provide fresh local fruit and veg?