What to expect from the Great British Menu banquet finale
The Great British Menu 2026 banquet finale airs tonight, with the series heading to Liverpool for a red-carpet celebration of British film.
** Spoiler warning: This article contains the chefs and dishes set to feature in the Great British Menu 2026 banquet. **
The final episode will see chefs cook at St George’s Hall, one of Liverpool’s most recognisable venues and a building with its own screen pedigree, having featured in films including The Batman and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
This year’s theme has seen chefs from across the UK create dishes inspired by British films, filmmakers, actors and filming locations, with the final banquet held in honour of more than 80 guests from the British film industry.
The Great British Menu banquet episode airs on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 9pm on BBC Two, with all episodes available on BBC iPlayer.
Who is cooking at the Great British Menu banquet?
After finals week, four chefs secured a dish at the banquet.
The starter will be cooked by Orry Shand, representing Scotland. His dish, “Nightcrawler”, is inspired by Alan Cumming and his portrayal of Nightcrawler in X2.
Orry is set to open his debut restaurant Falls by OS in Aberdeenshire in July.
The fish course was won by Corrin Harrison, representing Wales. His dish, “The Secret Garden”, is inspired by The Secret Garden and its filming at Bodnant Garden.
Corrin is currently head chef at Gwen, but is set to leave the role next month.
The main course was won by Cal Byerley, representing the North East. His dish, “The Full Monty”, is inspired by the 1997 Sheffield-set film.
Cal, from Pine restaurant, had one of the more dramatic routes to the banquet after initially losing out in the regional heats to Jamie Keeble, before returning as a wildcard and going on to win the main course in finals week.
The meal will be rounded off by Ciaran Brennan, representing the South West. His dish, “Hay Is For War Horses”, is inspired by War Horse, which was partly filmed on Dartmoor.
Ciaran works as head chef at Michelin-starred Osip, completing the banquet menu.
Private chef and former MasterChef: The Professionals champion Nikita Pathakji booked her place at the banquet to prepare the canapés.
What is the Great British Menu banquet theme?
This year’s Great British Menu theme celebrates British movies and the people behind them.
Across the 29-part series, chefs have created dishes inspired by films ranging from fantasy blockbusters and animations to romantic comedies, period dramas and British classics.
The brief has produced dishes connected to films including Harry Potter, Wallace and Gromit, Bridget Jones, The Full Monty, Kes and War Horse.
For the finale, the winning chefs must now deliver their dishes at banquet scale, serving a room of leading figures from across the film industry.
Where is the Great British Menu banquet being held?
The 2026 banquet takes place at St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
The city was chosen for its connection to film, with Liverpool home to the oldest film office in Europe and widely regarded as the most filmed city in the UK outside London.
St George’s Hall also brings an added challenge for the chefs. The venue’s listed building status and layout mean the kitchen is on a different floor to the dining room, while some cooking has to take place outdoors.
Tom Kerridge, Michelin-starred chef and Great British Menu head judge, said: “The chefs have a logistical challenge on their hands at St George’s Hall with a kitchen which is unfortunately on a different floor to the dining room and listed building rules which mean some cooking needs to be outdoors.
“It’s such a vast distance to cover across three different floors, that the challenge for the chefs probably surpasses all other banquets.”
Who is attending the Great British Menu banquet?
The banquet guest list includes actors, directors, screenwriters, set decorators, costume designers, casting directors, stunt performers and other leading names from the British film industry.
Guests include Alison Steadman OBE, Sue Johnston, Lolly Adefope and BAFTA Rising Star actress Posy Sterling.
Andi Oliver on the finale
Presenter Andi Oliver said this year’s banquet menu is one of the strongest she has seen during her time on the show.
She said: “This is my eighth year on GBM and this year’s banquet menu is possibly the most refined, fascinating and exciting yet.
“It’s the first time we’ve been to Liverpool for a banquet, but it’s always been one of my favourite places. It was the perfect spot because it has such a rich heritage and connection to film making.”
Who are the judges?
Great British Menu 2026 is presented by Andi Oliver, with Tom Kerridge, Lorna McNee and Phil Wang judging in the chamber.
Phil joined the programme this year, replacing fellow comedian Ed Gamble, as the chefs took on the British movies brief.
The banquet guests will have the final say on which dish is named the best of the night, with one chef set to leave Liverpool with the top accolade as Champion of Champions, following in the footsteps of 2025 winner Amber Francis.
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What to expect from the Great British Menu banquet finale
