
Great British Menu 2021: Everything you need to know, which chefs are competing, who are the national finalists and more

Series 16 of the BBC's Great British Menu has returned to our screens and we're excited as ever for the competition that scouts out the UK's best chefs and challenges them for our entertainment.
After her debut in the series' Christmas Special, Andi Oliver will be the host, and judges Matthew Fort and Oliver Peyton OBE are now joined by chef, food writer and TV presenter Rachel Khoo.
Which chefs are competing on Great British Menu 2021?
The chefs on this year's series, each representing their region of origin, are as follows:
Central region, airing on Wednesday 24th, Thursday 25th and Friday 26th March
- Sabrina Gidda, The AllBright, London
- Shannon Johnson, Hicce, London
- Liam Dillon, The Boat Inn, Lichfield
- Stuart Collins, Docket no 33, Shropshire
Veteran chef/judge
Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Simon Rogan
Scotland, airing on Wednesday 31st March, Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd April
Roberta Hall-McCarron, The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh
Amy Elles, The Harbour Café, Fife
Stuart Ralston, Aizle, Edinburgh
Scott Smith, Fhior, Edinburgh
Veteran chef/judge
London and South East, airing on Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th and Friday 9th April
Kim Ratcharoen, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London
Oli Marlow, Roganic and Aulis, London and Hong Kong
Tony Parkin, Tony Parkin at The Tudor Room, Surrey
Ben Murphy, Launceston Place, London
Veteran chef / judge
Wales, Airing on Wednesday 13th, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th April
Hywel Griffith, Beach House Restaurant, The Gower
Nathan Davies, SY23, Aberystwyth
Ali Borer, The Nutbourne, London
Chris Cleghorn, The Olive Tree, Bath
Veteran chef / judge
North East, airing on Wednesday 21st April, Thursday 22nd April and Friday 23rd April
Alex Bond, Alchemilla, Nottingham
Ruth Hansom, The Princess of Shoreditch, London
Tom Spenceley, Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs, London
Gareth Bartram, Winteringham Fields, North Lincolnshire
Veteran chef / judge
Northern Ireland:
Paul Cunningham, Brunel’s, Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Gemma Austin, Alexander’s, Holywood
Phelim O’Hagan, Brown Bonds Hill, Londonderry
Andy Scollick, The Boat House, Bangor
North West:
Kirk Haworth, Plates, London
Dan McGeorge, Rothay Manor, Lake District
Dave Critchley, Lu Ban, Liverpool
Ashwani Rangta, Gupshup, Altrincham
South West:
Jude Kereama, Kota and Kota Kai, Porthleven, Cornwall
Elly Wentworth, The Angel, Dartmouth
Nick Beardshaw, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, London
Nat Tallents, The Box, Plymouth
How many heats or regions are there on Great British Menu?
The show pits chefs from eight regions against each other, with three competing chefs from each location: Scotland, the South West, the North West, Wales, Central, the London South/East area, the North East and Northern Ireland.
Where can I watch Great British Menu series 16?
Great British Menu will air on BBC Two every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday starting on March 24th at 8pm. The be all and end all finals week and Banquet will take place on the week beginning May 10th. All episodes will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
What is this year's theme on Great British Menu?
This year, the theme celebrates British Innovation, thirty years after Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the world wide web and Helen Sharman became the first British astronaut to go into space. This year's competition is likely to showcase technological advances in the kitchen, full of molecular gastronomy, gadgets and futuristic props.
Last year the aspiring chefs were tasked with putting together the best possible dishes to meet the Children's Literature theme - with all of the frills and props one can imagine.
When does Great British Menu 2021 start?
The 2021 series of Great British Menu starts on Wednesday 24th March on BBC Two at 8pm, with three episodes a week running for eight weeks. The chefs will cook for the Banquet on the week commencing May 10th.
Which chefs made it to the National Finals on Great British Menu 2021?
Who won the central heat?
Stuart Collins, chef and owner of Docket 33 made it through to represent the Central region in the National Finals.
Who won the Scotland heat?
Roberta Hall-McCarron, chef and owner of The Little Chartroom will be representing Scotland in the National Finals.
Who won the London and South East heat?
Oli Marlow, head chef at Roganic and Aulis London and Hong Kong not only secured a spot in the national finals but beat the Great British Menu record for the highest score across four courses: he received 38 points from veteran judge Paul Ainsworth and 38 from the sum of points awarded by Matthew Fort, Oliver Peyton, Rachel Khoo and guest judge Professor Chris Jackson.

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