Who is chef Corrin Harrison on Great British Menu 2026?
With Great British Menu 2026 now on our screens on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, we find out more about chef Corrin Harrison, who is competing in the Wales heat.
Corrin Harrison is head chef of Gwen in Machynlleth, an intimate eight-seat restaurant and sister venue to Gareth Ward's two-Michelin-starred Ynyshir.
Known for precise cooking, bold flavours and a modern interpretation of British cuisine, Corrin has built his reputation through high-level fine-dining experience and his years working in one of the UK’s most acclaimed kitchens.
Early career and move into fine dining
Born in Hackney, Corrin was encouraged into cooking by a family friend and inspired by memories of his late grandfather’s food.
He began his professional career at the Rosewood Hotel in London before moving to Vienna, where he worked in a two-Michelin-starred restaurant. That international experience helped shape his technical foundation and exposed him to the standards of top-level fine dining early in his career.
His grounding in classical technique continues to influence his cooking today, combining structure and discipline with a strong sense of creativity.
Time at Ynyshir and rise to head chef
In 2017, Corrin moved to Wales to join Gareth Ward at Ynyshir, one of the UK’s most talked-about restaurants.
He rose through the ranks quickly, becoming head chef after just four years. During his time there, he played an important role in the restaurant securing its second Michelin star in 2022, further establishing Ynyshir as one of the country’s leading dining destinations.
Working in that environment also helped refine Corrin’s style, particularly through the Asian influences that became part of his cooking while he was part of the Ynyshir team.
Leading Gwen in Machynlleth
Corrin now runs Gwen in Machynlleth, Ynyshir’s intimate sister restaurant, where he serves a 10-course tasting menu.
The restaurant’s approach is centred on precision, bold flavour and a modern take on British cooking. While his food remains rooted in classical technique, it also reflects the Asian influences he absorbed during his years at Ynyshir.
That combination has helped define Corrin’s distinctive voice as a chef and gives his food a style that feels both refined and expressive.
{contribute-overlay}
Corrin Harrison on Great British Menu 2026
Corrin returns to Great British Menu after a standout performance in series 19, where he won his heat, finished as the highest-scoring runner-up and went on to cook the banquet canapé.
He now returns to the competition determined to go even further and to showcase how his cooking continues to evolve.
In Great British Menu 2026, Corrin represents Wales. He competes against John Chantarasak, Carl Cleghorn and Dan Andrée for a place in finals week. The veteran judge for the Wales heat is Tommy Banks.
His menu celebrates Welsh film stars and filming locations, using storytelling and Welsh produce to bring the cinema-themed brief to life on the plate.
With strong technical grounding, previous GBM experience and a distinctive culinary style, Corrin will be aiming to make a major impact in the Wales heat this year.
{{user.name}}