Great British Menu 2026 champion revealed in dramatic finale

Nikita Pathakji has been crowned Great British Menu 2026 Champion of Champions after one of the most dramatic banquet episodes in the show’s history.

The MasterChef: The Professionals 2022 winner was not originally due to cook a course at the banquet, but was called up after Gwen head chef Corrin Harrison pulled out of the final episode for personal reasons.

It marked an unprecedented twist for Great British Menu, with Corrin, who had won the fish course during finals week, unable to cook at the banquet at St George’s Hall in Liverpool.

Nikita, who had finished second in the fish course by just one point behind Corrin during finals week, was brought in to replace him.

She had originally been set to cook the canapés for the banquet after a strong overall showing during finals week, but instead stepped up to deliver the fish course, while all four banquet chefs contributed to the canapés with a flavoured popcorn.

Nikita Pathakji wins Great British Menu 2026

The banquet guests voted for their favourite course of the night, with Nikita (Central) coming out on top, ahead of Orry Shand (Scotland), Cal Byerley (North East) and Ciaran Brennan (South West).

Corrin had earned his place at the banquet with his fish dish, “The Secret Garden”, inspired by The Secret Garden and its filming at Bodnant Garden.

But with Corrin unable to cook, pulling out of the show around a month before the banquet, Nikita returned to the competition and took on the fish course at short notice.

• Read more: Gareth Ward restaurant Gwen set for 'next chapter' after Corrin Harrison exit

Inspired by Harry Potter, Nikita’s fish course was titled “Draught of Living Death”, centred around halibut.

An unprecedented banquet twist

The change left the banquet team one chef down, creating an added challenge at an already demanding venue.

This year’s banquet was held at St George’s Hall in Liverpool, with the chefs tasked with serving more than 80 guests from the British film industry.

The venue created its own logistical issues, with the kitchen on a different floor to the dining room and listed building restrictions meaning some cooking had to take place outdoors.

To help service run smoothly, former Great British Menu chefs Adam Handling, Tom Shepherd and Tommy Banks, who all now hold Michelin stars, were brought in to help run the pass during the banquet.

The final menu still featured four courses, with the chefs serving a film-themed banquet celebrating British cinema.

Who cooked at the Great British Menu banquet?

The starter was cooked by event chef Orry with his dish “Nightcrawler”, inspired by Alan Cumming and his portrayal of Nightcrawler in X2.

Orry, former National Chef of the Year champion, is set to open his debut solo Falls by Orry Shand in Aberdeenshire later this year.                

After Nikita’s fish course, the main course was cooked by Cal Byerley of Pine Restaurant, with “The Full Monty”, inspired by the Sheffield-set film. Among the guests in the room on the night was The Full Monty cinematographer John de Borman.

The dessert was cooked by Ciaran Brennan, head chef at Osip, with “Hay Is For War Horses”, inspired by War Horse, which was partly filmed on Dartmoor.

Who is Nikita Pathakji?

Originally from Derby, Nikita Pathakji first rose to national attention when she won MasterChef: The Professionals in 2022.

She has a strong Michelin-starred background, having previously worked in kitchens including Claude Bosi’s Bibendum, Core by Clare Smyth and Kitchen W8.

She is currently working as a private chef and has also been running supper clubs from her home.

Since the Great British Menu banquet, Nikita has appeared on BBC Saturday Kitchen and spoken about her plans to open her first restaurant.

The restaurant, called Maai, which translates as ‘mother’ in India, is set to open in Clapham in May and will be a family project.