Series 18

2023 · 29 episodes · 28h 27m in all · 6.5/10

The nation's top chefs compete for the chance to cook at an incredible four-course banquet.

1. North East Starter and Fish
31 Jan 2023 · 59 min
Four chefs from the north east of England compete with canapés, starters and fish dishes inspired by animation and illustration to celebrate Paddington’s 65th birthday. Who will be eliminated?
2. North East Mains and Dessert
1 Feb 2023 · 59 min
The remaining chefs compete over dishes inspired by British animation and illustration and Paddington’s 65th birthday.
3. North East Judging
2 Feb 2023 · 59 min
Guest judge Joe Sugg helps choose the winner from the two remaining chefs. There are dishes celebrating Paddington, James and the Giant Peach and the Clangers.
4. South West England: Starter and Fish
7 Feb 2023 · 59 min
Four chefs compete for south west England with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by animation and illustration celebrating Paddington’s 65th birthday. Who will be eliminated?
5. South West England: Mains and Dessert
8 Feb 2023 · 59 min
The remaining chefs from south west England compete over dishes inspired by British animation and illustration and Paddington’s 65th birthday, including dishes inspired by Aardman and Mr Benn.
6. South West England: Judging
9 Feb 2023 · 59 min
Guest judge Susie Templeton helps the judging panel decide the winner for south west England.
7. Wales: Starter and Fish
14 Feb 2023 · 59 min
Four chefs compete for Wales with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by animation and illustration celebrating Paddington’s 65th birthday. Who will be eliminated?
8. Wales: Mains and Puddings
15 Feb 2023 · 59 min
The remaining chefs from Wales compete over dishes inspired by British animation and illustration and Paddington’s 65th birthday, including dishes based on Fantastic Mr Fox and the Mabinogion.
9. Wales: Judging
16 Feb 2023 · 59 min
The guest judge, TV presenter Gethin Jones, helps the judging panel decide the winner for Wales.
10. North West England: Starter and Fish
21 Feb 2023 · 59 min
Four chefs compete for north west England with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by animation and illustration celebrating Paddington’s 65th birthday. Who will be eliminated?
11. North West England: Mains and Puddings
22 Feb 2023 · 59 min · 9.0/10
The remaining chefs from north west England compete over dishes inspired by British animation and illustration and Paddington’s 65th birthday, including a dish based on the Mad Hatter's tea party.
12. North West England: Judging
23 Feb 2023 · 58 min
The guest judge, actress Jane Horrocks, helps the judging panel decide the winner for north west England. There are dishes celebrating Paddington, Bob the Builder, and Jack and Jill.
13. Scotland: Starter and Fish
28 Feb 2023 · 59 min
Four chefs compete for Scotland with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by animation and illustration celebrating Paddington’s 65th birthday. Who will be eliminated?
14. Scotland: Mains and Puddings
1 Mar 2023 · 59 min
The remaining Scottish chefs compete over dishes inspired by British animation and illustration and Paddington’s 65th birthday, including a dish based on the Mad Hatter's tea party.
15. Scotland: Judging
2 Mar 2023 · 59 min
The guest judge, comic book artist Frank Quitely, helps decide the winner for Scotland. There are dishes celebrating the Beano and The Wind in the Willows.
16. London and South East: Starter and Fish
7 Mar 2023 · 59 min
Four of London and the south east’s most talented chefs compete to stay in the competition over canapés, starters and fish dishes celebrating British animation and illustration.
17. London and South East: Mains and Puddings
8 Mar 2023 · 58 min
The remaining London and south east chefs compete over dishes inspired by British animation and illustration and Paddington’s 65th birthday – who will win and who must go home?
18. London and South East: Judging
9 Mar 2023 · 59 min
Guest judge Dapo Adeola helps decide the winner from the two remaining London and south east chefs. There are dishes celebrating The Gruffalo and Paddington.
19. Northern Ireland: Starter and Fish
14 Mar 2023 · 59 min
Four chefs compete for Northern Ireland with canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by animation and illustration celebrating Paddington’s 65th birthday. Who will be eliminated?
20. Northern Ireland: Mains and Puddings
15 Mar 2023 · 59 min
The remaining Northern Irish chefs compete over dishes inspired by British animation and illustration and Paddington’s 65th birthday, including a pie taking inspiration from the Wombles.
21. Northern Ireland: Judging
16 Mar 2023 · 59 min
The guest judge, author and artist Oliver Jeffers, helps decide the winner for Northern Ireland. There are dishes celebrating both animation and illustration.
22. Central England: Starter and Fish
21 Mar 2023 · 59 min
Four chefs compete for central England with canapés, starters and fish dishes inspired by animation and illustration celebrating Paddington’s 65th birthday. Who will be eliminated?
23. Central England: Mains and Puddings
22 Mar 2023 · 59 min
The remaining chefs from central England compete over dishes inspired by British animation and illustration and Paddington’s 65th birthday. Who will win, and who must go home?
24. Central England: Judging
23 Mar 2023 · 59 min
The guest judge, award-winning actress Duaa Karim, helps decide the winner for central England. There are dishes celebrating the Dandy and video game Pac-Man.
25. The Finals: Starters
27 Mar 2023 · 58 min · 4.0/10
The eight regional champions cook their vegan starter courses in a bid to secure the first place on the menu at the banquet. Comedian and actor Kulvinder Ghir is the guest judge.
26. The Finals: Fish Course
28 Mar 2023 · 58 min
The eight regional champions cook their fish courses to win a place on the menu of a banquet celebrating animation and illustration. Aardman co-founder Peter Lord is the guest judge.
27. The Finals: Main Course
29 Mar 2023 · 59 min
Eight regional champions cook their main courses in a bid to secure a place on the menu of a banquet celebrating animation and illustration. Sir Lenny Henry is the guest judge.
28. The Finals: Dessert
30 Mar 2023 · 59 min
The eight regional champions cook their desserts in a bid to secure the last place on the menu at the banquet. Morwenna Banks, voice of Mummy Pig on Peppa Pig, is the guest judge.
29. Banquet Special
31 Mar 2023 · 59 min
It’s the final of the series. The chefs cook a banquet at Brighton Royal Pavilion for illustration and animation stars including Cressida Cowell and Sir Lenny Henry.