Series 21 Plot
Britain’s best chefs compete to cook at a blockbuster banquet in Liverpool.
Great British Menu Series 21 aired on February 24th, 2026.
Series 21 Episodes
1. North West England: Starter and Fish
Four chefs compete for north west England with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by the British film industry. Who will be eliminated?
2. North West England: Main and Dessert
The remaining three chefs from north west England compete over mains and desserts inspired by the British film industry. Who will win, and who must go home?
3. North West England: Judging
It’s judging day, and only one chef can go through to represent north west England. Casting director Debbie McWilliams helps decide the winner from the two remaining chefs.
4. Scotland: Starter and Fish
Four chefs compete for Scotland with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by the British film industry. Who will be eliminated?
5. Scotland: Main and Dessert
The remaining three chefs from Scotland compete over mains and desserts inspired by the British film industry. Who will win, and who must go home?
6. Scotland: Judging
It’s judging day, and only one chef can go through to represent Scotland. Bafta-winning actress Katherine Parkinson helps decide the winner from the two remaining chefs.
7. Central England: Starter and Fish
Four chefs compete for central England with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by the British film industry. Who will be eliminated?
8. Central England: Main and Dessert
The remaining three chefs from central England compete over mains and desserts inspired by the British film industry. Who will win, and who must go home?
9. Central England: Judging
It’s judging day, and only one chef can go through to represent central England. Film producer Alison Owen helps decide the winner from the two remaining chefs.
10. Wales: Starter and Fish
Four chefs compete for Wales with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by the British film industry. Who will be eliminated?
11. Wales: Main and Dessert
The remaining three chefs from Wales compete over mains and desserts inspired by the British film industry. Who will win, and who must go home?
12. Wales: Judging
It’s judging day, and only one chef can go through to represent Wales. Acclaimed director Sally El Hosaini helps decide the winner from the two remaining chefs.
13. North East England and Yorkshire: Starter and Fish
Four chefs compete for north east England and Yorkshire with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by the British film industry. Who will be eliminated?
14. North East England and Yorkshire: Main and Dessert
The remaining three chefs from north east England and Yorkshire compete over mains and desserts inspired by the British film industry. Who will win, and who must go home?
15. North East England and Yorkshire: Judging
It’s judging day, and only one chef can go through to represent north east England and Yorkshire. Screenwriter and author Frank Cottrell-Boyce helps decide the winner from the two remaining chefs.
16. Northern Ireland: Starter and Fish
Four chefs compete for Northern Ireland with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by the British film industry. Who will be eliminated?
17. Northern Ireland: Main and Dessert
The remaining three chefs from Northern Ireland compete over mains and desserts inspired by the British film industry. Who will win, and who must go home?
18. Northern Ireland: Judging
It’s judging day, and only one chef can go through to represent Northern Ireland. Award-winning Belfast director Lisa Barros D’Sa helps decide the winner from the two remaining chefs.
19. London and South East England: Starter and Fish
Four chefs compete for London and south east England with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by the British film industry. Who will be eliminated?
20. London and South East England: Main and Dessert
The remaining three chefs from London and south east England compete over mains and desserts inspired by the British film industry. Who will win, and who must go home?
21. London and South East England: Judging
It’s judging day, and only one chef can go through to represent London and south east England. Much-loved actor Simon Callow helps decide the winner from the two remaining chefs.
22. South West England: Starter and Fish
Four chefs compete for south west England with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by the British film industry. Who will be eliminated?
23. South West England: Main and Dessert
The remaining three chefs from south west England compete over mains and desserts inspired by the British film industry. Who will win, and who must go home?
24. South West England: Judging
It’s judging day, and only one chef can go through to represent south west England. Comedian and actor Ben Whitehead helps decide the winner from the two remaining chefs.
25. The Finals: Starters
The eight finalists compete to win the starter course at a banquet celebrating the British film industry. Director Marli Siu is the guest judge.
26. The Finals: Fish Course
The eight finalists compete to win the fish course at a banquet celebrating great Britons of the past and Great British Menu’s 20th year. Actor Will Poulter is the guest judge.
27. The Finals: Main Course
Eight regional champions cook their main courses in a bid to secure a place at a banquet celebrating the British film industry. Director Sir Stephen Frears is guest judge.
28. The Finals: Dessert
The eight chefs compete for the last place on the banquet menu celebrating the British film industry. Chocolat author Joanne Harris is the guest judge.
29. Banquet Special
It’s the final of Great British Menu. The chefs cook a banquet for the great and the good of the British film industry in Liverpool. Who will be voted 2026's champion of champions?
