Back on BBC Two in Spring 2020 for its 15th Series, the programme not only has new presenter Susan Calman but also boasts an exciting new format with more chefs and more dishes.

From Willy Wonka’s Three-Course Dinner Gum to Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, children’s literature is packed full of imaginative foods to inspire the talented professional chefs coming from all corners of the UK to compete in this year’s Great British Menu. The question is: which chefs will come up with the most creative menu to earn a place at the final banquet celebrating children’s literature?

It is 150 years since the death of Charles Dickens, author of Oliver Twist, the first book in English to feature a child in the titular role and as protagonist. Since then, British writers and illustrators have written a wide variety of novels and picture books aimed at children and young people, many of which devote pages to a love of food.

It’s not just up to the three judges to decide who gets through each week, as a guest will be joining to help select the best dishes from each region in the Friday regional final. Representing the breadth of children’s literature, guest judges include comedian and children’s author David Baddiel, teen novelists Malorie Blackman and Jacqueline Wilson, and award-winning writer of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson.

As well as another exciting theme this series, the programme has an additional chef competing for each region. Of the four chefs competing each week, the lowest scoring chef will leave after the starters and fish course in the first episode of the weekly heats and will not get the chance to cook their whole menu for the veteran chef scoring the first stages of the contest. This makes the competition more intense than ever and any mistakes could lead to an early exit for even the best of chefs.

On day two of the competition, the three remaining chefs will battle it out over main course and desserts. The two highest scoring chefs cook for the judges in the final Friday episode with just one getting the chance to represent their country or region in the national finals.

There are also two extra mini courses: an amuse-bouche to tantalise the tastebuds before the starter arrives and a pre-dessert that acts as a palate cleanser and ushers in dessert. The six courses reflect a more contemporary tasting menu, with lighter fish and main courses.

Patrick Holland, BBC Two Controller says: “Great British Menu continues to grow and develop at the heart of the BBC Two schedule, showcasing the very best of the nation’s chef talent. With the new challenges, the series just got tougher than ever.”

Oliver Peyton says: “All good food has a story.”

Andi Oliver says: “I am so thrilled about the theme for this year’s Great British Menu. Books have always played a pivotal role in my life, so celebrating 150 years of children’s literature fills me with such joy! The kitchen is buzzing with creativity and we have a whole new family of exciting, inspired chefs to introduce you all to. This year is truly astonishing and moving, I can’t wait for everyone to experience it too.”

Matthew Fort says: “Food and children’s books - what a wonderful combination. Both are doorways to fabulous worlds. At their best, both celebrate the power of imagination. And I have the feeling that we’re going to get rather a lot of that.”

London and South East

Competing chefs:
Steve Groves, Roux at Parliament Square, London
Kerth Gumbs, Ormer Mayfair, London
Karl O’Dell, Texture, London
Ivan Tisdall-Downes, Native, London
Friday guest judge: Konnie Huq, Blue Peter presenter and author of Cookie And The Most Annoying Book In The World series.
Central

Competing chefs:
Sally Abé, The Harwood Arms, London
Alex Claridge, The Wilderness, Birmingham
Niall Keating, Whatley Manor, Cotswolds
Dom Robinson, The Blackbird, Newbury
Friday guest judge: Charlie Higson, actor and author of the Young Bond series.
North West

Competing chefs:
Tom Barnes, Rogan & Co, Cumbria
Sam Buckley, Where The Light Gets In, Stockport
Hrishikesh Desai, The Gilpin Hotel, Lake District
George Farrugia, Fenchurch Restaurant, London
Friday guest judge: Julia Donaldson, Children’s Laureate 2011-2013 and world-wide selling author of classic picture books like The Gruffalo and Room On The Broom.

Northern Ireland

Competing chefs:
Paul Cunningham, Brunel’s, Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Alex Greene, Deanes EIPIC, Belfast
Leigh Ferguson, Clenaghan’s, Co Antrim
Shauna Froydenlund, Marcus, London
Friday guest judge: Cerrie Burnell, CBeebies presenter and author of Harper And The Scarlet Umbrella series.
Wales

Competing chefs:
John Chantarasak, AngloThai, London
Hywel Griffith, Beach House Restaurant, Swansea
Tom Phillips, Restaurant Story, London
Georgia Sommerin, Restaurant James Sommerin, Penarth
Friday guest judge: David Bradley, actor who played Argus Filch in the Harry Potter film series.
North East

Competing chefs:
Josh Angus, HIDE, London
Alex Bond, Alchemilla, Nottingham
Samira Effa, TRUEfoods, North Yorkshire
Ruth Hansom, Pomona’s, London
Friday guest judge: Jacqueline Wilson, Children’s Laureate 2005-2007 and author of Tracy Beaker series.

South West

Competing chefs:
Joe Baker, Number 10, Jersey
Thomas Carr, Thomas Carr @ The Olive Room, Devon
Guy Owen, The Idle Rocks, Cornwall
Harriet Mansell, Robin Wylde, Lyme Regis
Friday guest judge: Nina Wadia, actress and children's author.
Scotland

Competing chefs:
Ross Bryans, Les 110 de Taillevent, London
Amy Elles, The Harbour Café, Fife
Roberta Hall, The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh
Gordon Jones, Menu Gordon Jones, Bath
Friday guest judge: David Baddiel, comedian and author of The Parent Agency.

Finals judges
Starter: Cressida Cowell, current Children’s Laureate 2019-2021 and author of How To Train Your Dragon.
Fish: Malorie Blackman, Children’s Laureate 2013-2015 and author of the Noughts And Crosses series.
Main: Anthony Horowitz, author of the Alex Rider and Diamond Brother series.
Dessert: Greg James and Chris Smith, Radio 1 DJs and children’s authors.

Veteran judges across the series
Tom Aikens: restaurants include newly opened Muse, Tom’s Kitchen and various locations worldwide
Paul Ainsworth: restaurants include No 6, The Mariners and Rojano’s, both Padstow
Tommy Banks: The Black Swan and Oldstead Roots, York
Tom Brown: Cornerstone, Hackney Wick, London
Richard Corrigan: restaurants include Corrigan’s Mayfair, Bentley’s and Daffodil Mulligan all London
Lisa Goodwin-Allen: Northcote, Lancashire
Angela Hartnett: restaurants include Murano and Limewood, London and New Forrest
Michael O’Hare: The Man Behind the Curtain, Leeds