A chef working in Sedbergh appeared for the first time on a hit BBC cooking show last night (Tuesday).

Nina Matsunaga, chef and co-owner of The Black Bull, was competing on the Great British Menu on BBC Two and made it to the next stage of the regional finals.

Nina was up against three other top chefs from the northwest and was one of two newcomers to the show - so she could be forgiven for branding the first day as 'intimidating'.

The Westmorland Gazette: Nina making her croustade for the canape challengeNina making her croustade for the canape challenge (Image: BBC)

The episode started with the participants given the opportunity to impress with their take on a canape - with Nina opting for a croustade topped with lamb, mackerel, kimchi tartare and cured egg yolk.

Judge Michael O'Hare described the dish as 'beautiful' and complimented the crispness of the offering.

The starters round was based on the Olympics and Paralympics with Nina dedicating her dish on Charlotte Dujardin, winner of three medals on her horse Valegro.

The Westmorland Gazette: Nina's 'horse's head' offeringNina's 'horse's head' offering (Image: BBC)

The steamed-bun offering, in the shape of a horse's head, was said to be a 'bold move' and 'incredible', working to 'scare' her fellow competitors.

The fish course led to Nina combining brill, jellyfish and fish eyes and, although it did not go as well as she hoped, it was still enough to see the German-born chef edge into the next round.

The Westmorland Gazette: Nina at the Black Bull in Sedbergh, which she was able to promote on the showNina at the Black Bull in Sedbergh, which she was able to promote on the show (Image: BBC)

You can see how Nina fares in the  new episode on BBC Two on Wednesday, February 28 from 8pm and you can catch the previous episode now on BBC iPlayer.