Matt Tebbutt announced two changes to the BBC show Saturday Kitchen live on air during the latest episode on Saturday, November 7. The 52-year-old presenter was joined in the studio by chefs Vivek Singh, Tom Parker Bowles and Riya Patel, along with special guest Jo Brand, with drinks expert Helen McGinn selecting wines to complement the dishes.
As the credits played, Tebbutt told viewers: "There's no Best Bites tomorrow but I'm going to be back here live next Saturday at the earlier time of 9.15."
Schedule Changes for Sunday and Next Saturday
Saturday Kitchen typically broadcasts from 10am until 11.30am on BBC1, while Saturday Kitchen Best Bites airs on Sundays at 10am on BBC2. However, the broadcaster is instead showing Swallows and Amazons (2016) from 10am until 11.30am on Sunday, November 8.
Saturday Kitchen will air at 9.15am on Saturday, November 14 instead of 10am. Best Bites is a carefully selected compilation of favourite recipes, celebrity guests, and culinary highlights drawn from the main show's archives. Alongside cooking demonstrations, episodes generally feature popular recurring segments such as the Food Heaven or Food Hell celebrity challenge and external chef visits.
BBC Puts Saturday Kitchen Out to Tender
This follows the revelation that Saturday Kitchen has become the latest BBC programme to be put out to tender by the corporation. The BBC stated: "The contract will be awarded for 18 months on a work-for-hire basis, with an indicative shape of up to 65 episodes of Saturday Kitchen, 50 episodes of Saturday Kitchen Best Bites, and up to five episodes of Celebration Kitchen."
The contract period may be extended on similar contract terms, subject to agreement. Transmission will begin in summer 2027. In line with the BBC's Across the UK strategy and commitment to grow the creative sector in the West Midlands, the corporation is particularly interested in proposals for production from the West Midlands.
Meanwhile, this autumn the BBC has revealed it is placing Mastermind out to tender for the second occasion in ten years. It was formerly tendered in 2018, which was secured by Hat Trick Productions and Hindsight Productions. The BBC stated: "We're putting the production of our long-running quiz Mastermind out for competition. The full invitation to tender including eligibility criteria will be published [on our website], with enough time for suppliers to do appropriate research and preparation."
Celebrity Mastermind Scrapped
Earlier this year, along with Blankety Blank and Live At The Apollo, the BBC confirmed it was scrapping Celebrity Mastermind, though the main series with Clive Myrie will remain. At the time, the BBC remarked: "We are incredibly proud of all three of these much-loved shows and would like to thank everyone involved, both in front of and behind the camera, for bringing them to screen and making them such a success over many years.
"Unfortunately, we have to make some really tough choices in light of our funding challenges, and these savings have been identified from the Entertainment genre. We will still continue to commission ambitious Entertainment shows and invest in distinctive UK content from a wide range of independent production companies of all sizes, as well as prioritising digital innovation that can serve fans of these shows and beyond. For example, we will shortly be announcing digital plans focused on stand-up and emerging comedy talent, ensuring we continue to support the stand-up community in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive media landscape.
"These difficult decisions form part of the BBC's previously announced first phase of its proposals to make £500m of savings over the next three years. BBC Content has a target of delivering a minimum of £100 million of recurring annual savings which will result in a reduction of around 100-150 hours of originated TV programmes across genres by the end of 2027/28."
Saturday Kitchen returns November 14 at 9.15am.
