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The heats for the north west of England begin. Returning to the programme is Caroline Martins, head chef at the Sao Paulo Project in Manchester. Joining her are Sam Grainger, chef patron of Belzan in Liverpool, Danielle Heron, head chef at Osma, and Laszlo Nagy, who until recently was head chef at Hypha in Chester.

Presenter Andi Oliver welcomes them to the kitchen, where the theme for this year’s competition is inspired by Paddington’s 65th birthday and a celebration of British animation and illustration – from cartoons to comics to computer games. One of the four must leave the competition at the end of the episode, to be decided by this week’s veteran judge, a previous winner who remains a surprise to the chefs until the moment they walk into the kitchen to taste the first-course canapes.