Great British Menu | Series 21 Preview (BBC Two)

Now in its 21st anniversary year, BBC Two’s Great British Menu welcomes Phil Wang to the judging panel. Phil is no stranger to the Great British Menu family, as he was a guest judge for series 16 - Science & Invention.

Along with a new judge, there will be a new theme for Britain’s top chefs to celebrate with their dishes…Movies. This year’s theme for the 32 chefs from across Britain and Northern Ireland who are competing for the top prize, is British movies and movie makers.

The chefs who represent their home region, or nation must cook dishes which celebrate movies with a connection to their region or film makers or actors from their area. Expect dishes inspired from James Bond; Wallace and Gromit; Harry Potter, The Full Monty and Notting Hill. The chefs and judges have plenty to sink their teeth into.

The winning chefs will cook a banquet for Britain’s movie industry in the finale episode which this year is being held at St George’s Hall in Liverpool – which doubles as Gotham City Hall in Batman. Liverpool has the oldest film office in Europe and is the most filmed city in the UK outside of London.

It’s the launch of 2026’s Great British Menu, and and four chefs compete for north west England with blockbuster canapes, starters and fish dishes celebrating the British film industry.

The dishes are judged by this week's veteran judge, Michelin-starred chef Lisa Goodwin Allen, and include a spicy squash noodle broth in honour of Grow Your Own, a film set on allotments in Merseyside, as well as a Wensleydale rarebit in honour of Wallace and Gromit. Who will impress, and who will be sent home?

BBC Commissioning Editor for Factual, Julie Shaw comments, “Ed has been a brilliant judge and I want to thank him for his outstanding contribution to Great British Menu. Phil is a wonderful addition to the team and audiences will get to see how much of a foody he really is, and this years theme will really showcase the outstanding talent the chefs have under their whites. Let the cooking commence!”

Great British Menu returns Tuesday 24th February at 7pm on BBC Two.