Chef Weike Zhao Wiki, Age, Husband, Great British Menu, Nationality, Ethnicity
Weike Zhao Biography – Weike Zhao Wiki
Weike Zhao is a Chinese chef and a contestant on the Great British Menu (GBM) 2026 on BBC Two. She is currently Head Chef at Wood Hall Hotel & Spa in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, part of the Hand Picked Hotels. She joined the 2-AA Rosette restaurant in June 2022.
Originally from China, Weike Zhao began her culinary journey in Melbourne, Australia, where she moved to in 2008 and completed a two-year commercial culinary course while working in a Japanese restaurant and was a chef in a catering establishment. During this time she also completed a BA in Hotel Management, laying the foundation for her global approach to food.
After university, she went on to secure her first full time job as a chef and also worked in a one Chef Hat restaurant in Australia. Since relocating to the UK, Weike has established herself as a leading figure in the Yorkshire hospitality scene and has achieved a Michelin plate twice.
At Wood Hall, she oversees a team focused on sustainability and seasonality, crafting menus that reflect both the local landscape and her own Asian heritage. Her cuisine champions seasonal British produce intertwined with modern Asian influences, combining Yorkshire’s best ingredients with bold flavours.
Weike Zhao Age
Shane (Weike) Zhao was born in China.
Weike Zhao Husband
Great British Menu’s Weike Zhao is married to her husband Ben Owen.
Weike Zhao Great British Menu
Chef Weike Zhao will appear on the BBC show Great British Menu series 21, representing the North East and Yorkshire. She is one of four chefs selected from the region to take part in the competition, alongside Jamie Keeble, Cal Byerley and Ryan McVay.
This year’s theme celebrates British film and filmmakers, with winning dishes due to be served at a star-studded banquet at St George’s Hall in Liverpool. Weike’s competition menu celebrates the North East and the films and actors from the region.
Weike Zhao said, “It’s a huge honour to represent North East and Yorkshire on BBC’s Great British Menu. The theme celebrating British film gave me the opportunity to explore the North East’s cultural identity through food whilst staying true to my style of combining Yorkshire’s seasonal ingredients with Asian flavours. It was an incredible experience to cook alongside other such talented chefs from the region.”
Julia Hands, Chair of Hand Picked Hotels, said, “We are very proud of Weike for representing the North East and Yorkshire in this national television cookery competition. At Hand Picked Hotels, we are committed to investing in talented individuals who demonstrate technical expertise and a clear culinary identity.”
Weike Zhao Nationality
Chef Weike Zhao is of Chinese nationality.
Ethnicity
She is of Asian ethnicity.
Weike Zhao’s Instagram handle is @weike_z.
