Who is chef Callum Irwin on Great British Menu 2026?
As Great British Menu 2026 continues on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, we find out more about chef Callum Irwin, who is competing in the Northern Ireland heat.
At 27, Callum Irwin is one of Northern Ireland’s rising culinary talents. Michelin-trained and award-winning, he runs his private dining business Cooked by Callum while also working at The Rabbit Hotel in Templepatrick.
Early career and cooking background
Callum studied Culinary Arts Management at Ulster University, graduating with first-class honours. During his studies, he was awarded an academic scholarship to Hong Kong, where renowned chef Ken Hom served as ambassador.
While at university, Callum also picked up early recognition in competition, winning Féile MasterChef and a contest celebrating 25 years of Heston Blumenthal’s three-Michelin-starred The Fat Duck. Those achievements helped mark him out as one of the young chefs to watch in Northern Ireland.
Michelin training and building his own business
Callum joined Belfast’s Michelin-starred Muddlers Club while still studying, contributing to the team during the period in which the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star.
His experience also includes time at notable restaurants such as Edo, where he worked alongside chefs Lottie McKee and Matt Jordan.
Alongside his restaurant work, Callum has built and grown Cooked by Callum, his private dining business. Through that venture, he has catered for major events and high-profile figures across sport, business and hospitality, building a reputation for precise, creative cooking rooted in Northern Irish produce.
Recognition and reputation
In 2025, Callum served as private chef at a four-day hospitality event during The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, cooking for high-profile guests. He has also been featured in Northern Ireland on a Plate and won the Ballymena Chamber Award for Best Young Person in Business.
Away from service, Callum is also an ambassador for Springboard’s FutureChef programme, helping mentor the next generation of chefs. Still only 27, he combines technical precision with creativity and has quickly established himself as one of the most promising young figures in the Northern Irish food scene.
Callum Irwin on Great British Menu 2026
In Great British Menu 2026, Callum represents Northern Ireland, competing against Lawrence Barrow, Kristin Reagon and Marion Lancial for a place in finals week.
Due to TV scheduling changes, Great British Menu this week airs on Wednesday (6.30pm), Thursday and Friday (both 7pm).
Jean Delport and Sally Abé, who both cooked at the 2025 banquet, are the veteran judges for the Northern Ireland heat.
Callum’s menu showcases his creativity and celebrates some of the stars of the Northern Ireland film scene.
With Michelin training, competition pedigree and growing experience on major stages, he will be aiming to make a strong impression in this year’s heat.
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Who is chef Callum Irwin on Great British Menu 2026?
