Great British Menu 2026 welcomes judge Phil Wang

In its twenty-first anniversary year, Great British Menu is set for a refreshed chapter as Phil Wang joins the BBC Two series as a new judge.

Filming has taken place in Stratford upon Avon, with the show scheduled to return to screens in February 2026.

A new judge for a landmark year

Phil is already familiar to Great British Menu audiences, having appeared as a guest judge during series sixteen’s Science & Invention theme.

Known for his love of food and his ability to articulate flavours with precision and humour, he now joins lead judge Tom Kerridge and Lorna McNee, both of whom previously competed and won the series before achieving their respective Michelin stars. The programme continues to be presented by Andi Oliver.

Phil said: “I’m so excited to be the new judge on Great British Menu. I’ve been an avid food-lover all my life, and I’m thrilled about this opportunity to taste food from the most creative and skilled chefs in the country. Can’t wait to put decades of practice to work and put my mouth where my mouth is.”

Read more: Great British Menu 2025 champion Amber Francis looking to inspire future generations

Outgoing judge Ed Gamble added: “I can think of no better person to pass the golden spoon to than my dear friend and frequent dining companion Phil Wang. He is hilarious, great company and crucially, matches my appetite more than anyone else I’ve met. I’ll miss everyone on the team but I know they’ll forget about me as soon as they start chomping with the Wang.”

Chefs take on a new theme: British movies

Each year, Great British Menu sets a creative brief for the thirty-two chefs competing from across the UK and Northern Ireland. For 2026, the theme is British movies and movie makers. Chefs must produce dishes inspired by films, actors or filmmakers connected to their home region or nation.

Dishes are expected to draw on touchpoints from titles including James Bond, Wallace and Gromit, Harry Potter, The Full Monty, and Notting Hill, giving chefs and judges plenty to explore as the competition unfolds.

The winning chefs will cook the series banquet for members of Britain’s film industry. This year’s banquet will be hosted at St George’s Hall in Liverpool, a historic building that has doubled as Gotham City Hall in Batman. Liverpool is home to Europe’s oldest film office and is the most filmed city in the UK outside London.

BBC and production team welcome the change

Julie Shaw, BBC commissioning editor for Factual, said: “Ed has been a brilliant judge and I want to thank him for his outstanding contribution to Great British Menu. Phil is a wonderful addition to the team and audiences will get to see how much of a foody he really is, and this year’s theme will really showcase the outstanding talent the chefs have under their whites. Let the cooking commence!”

Sarah Eglin, executive producer at Optomen, added: “As viewers will see Phil has literally wrestled Ed Gamble for the role. Not only is Phil a lover of food and different cuisines he has a great connection with the movies theme, indeed Phil’s acting skills – as well as his comedy talent – will be on full display in this series – wait and see.”