The nation's top chefs compete for the chance to cook at an incredible banquet.
Episode 1
Central – Starter & Fish Courses
Mar 18, 2020
Chefs from Derby, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent and Nottingham compete for the central region with a mushroom starter inspired by Lord of the Rings and a Roald Dahl Revolting Recipe.
Episode 2
Central - Main & Dessert Courses
Mar 19, 2020
The remaining chefs cook giant goose eggs based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a Harry Potter dessert, but two face potential disasters when their recipes go wrong.
Episode 3
Central - Judging
Mar 20, 2020
The two remaining central chefs go head to head and cook their six-course menus. Guest judge Charlie Higson, comedian and author of the Young Bond series, helps decide the winner.
Episode 4
London & South East - Starter & Fish Courses
Mar 25, 2020
Veteran Tommy Banks decides which of the four London chefs to send home after a hazelnut starter inspired by The Gruffalo and a Commotion in the Ocean lobster dish.
Episode 5
London & South East - Main & Dessert Courses
Mar 26, 2020
The remaining chefs cook a dairy beef steak dish inspired by Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse and a Faraway Tree chocolate dessert. But two must improvise when their recipes go wrong.
Episode 6
London & South East - Judging
Mar 27, 2020
The two remaining chefs from the region go head to head and cook their six-course menus for the judges, including guest judge Konnie Huq, children’s author and former Blue Peter presenter.
Episode 7
Scotland - Starter & Fish Courses
Apr 1, 2020
Four chefs from Edinburgh, Irvine, Fife and Buckie compete for Scotland with a venison starter inspired by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and a Treasure Island fish course.
Episode 8
Scotland - Main & Dessert Courses
Apr 2, 2020
The remaining chefs cook mains and desserts, including a cow pie inspired by Desperate Dan and a golden snitch choux dessert. An unusual situation ramps up the competition.
Episode 9
Scotland - Judging
Apr 3, 2020
Two top chefs from Scotland go head to head and cook their six-course menus. Bestselling children’s author and comedian David Baddiel is the guest judge and helps decide the winner.
Episode 10
Northern Ireland - Starter & Fish Courses
Apr 8, 2020
Four chefs compete for Northern Ireland with a starter inspired by CS Lewis and an Enid Blyton fish course. Veteran Tom Aikens sends one chef home at the end of the day.
Episode 11
Northern Ireland - Main & Dessert Courses
Apr 9, 2020
The remaining chefs cook mains and desserts, including a Hogwarts feast inspired by Harry Potter and an Each Peach Pear Plum dessert.
Episode 12
Northern Ireland - Judging
Apr 10, 2020
Two top chefs from Northern Ireland go head to head and cook their six-course menus. Children’s TV presenter turned author Cerrie Burnell is the guest judge and helps decide the winner.
Episode 13
North West - Starter & Fish Courses
Apr 15, 2020
Four chefs, two from Manchester and two from Cumbria, compete for the north west of England. Angela Hartnett, the surprise veteran judge, decides which chef goes home today.
Episode 14
North West - Main & Dessert Courses
Apr 16, 2020
The remaining chefs cook mains and desserts, including a Beatrix Potter extravaganza and a Not So Giant Peach. A surprise veteran judge helps with scoring the main dishes.
Episode 15
North West - Judging
Apr 17, 2020
Two top chefs from the north west of England go head to head and cook their six-course menus. Julia Donaldson, best-selling author of The Gruffalo, is guest judge and helps decide the winner.
Episode 16
South West - Starter & Fish
Apr 22, 2020
Four chefs from the south west of England compete, with dishes inspired by The Wind in the Willows, Enid Blyton and Jeremy Fisher. Veteran Richard Corrigan sends one chef home.
Episode 17
South West - Main & Dessert Courses
Apr 23, 2020
The three chefs are halfway through their heat and the pressure is mounting. One of the chefs unexpectedly leaves the competition and Richard and Susan invite the eliminated chef back.
Episode 18
South West - Judging
Apr 24, 2020
Two top chefs from the south west of England go head to head and cook their six-course menus. Actress, comedian and children’s book author Nina Wadia is the guest judge and helps decide the winner.
Episode 19
Wales - Starter & Fish
Apr 29, 2020
The nation's top chefs compete.
Episode 20
Wales - Main & Dessert Courses
Apr 30, 2020
The remaining chefs cook mains and desserts, including Y Draig Goch, inspired by the legend of the Welsh red dragon, and a Willy Wonka golden egg dessert.
Episode 21
Wales - Judging
May 1, 2020
Two top chefs from Wales go head to head and cook their menus. Filch from the Harry Potter films - actor David Bradley - is the guest judge and helps decide the winner.
Episode 22
North East - Starter & Fish Courses
May 6, 2020
Four chefs from Yorkshire and County Durham compete for the north east region, with a homage to The Railway Children and a fish dish inspired by Flat Stanley.
Episode 23
North East - Main & Dessert
May 7, 2020
The remaining chefs cook mains and desserts including two Skellig-inspired dishes and a Horrible Histories feast.
Episode 24
North East - Judging
May 8, 2020
Bestselling children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson helps decide which chef should make it through to the next round.
Episode 25
Finals - Starter
May 11, 2020
Eight finalists from across the UK compete to have their starter chosen for the banquet celebrating children’s literature. Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell helps decide the winner.
Episode 26
Finals - Fish
May 12, 2020
Bestselling author Malorie Blackman helps choose the winning fish dish for a banquet celebrating children’s literature. In a tight contest, just one point makes the difference.
Episode 27
Finals - Main
May 13, 2020
Bestselling writer Anthony Horowitz helps choose the winner for the main course final, while a Harry Potter actor pops into the kitchen to taste a real life Hogwarts’s feast.
Episode 28
Finals - Dessert
May 14, 2020
The dessert course is the last chance for the finalists to win a place at tomorrow night’s banquet celebrating children’s literature. Radio1 DJ and author Greg James is a guest judge.
Episode 29
Banquet
May 15, 2020
After months of hard-fought competition, it is time for the Great British Menu banquet. The winning chefs cook their courses in celebration of nearly 200 years of British children’s literature.