A new series begins with the Central region heats, featuring four chefs who comprise a mix of exciting new talent and popular returners.

Nottinghamshire’s Sally Abé, currently chef consultant at The Pem, her new restaurant in London, is determined to give winning a place representing her region another try. Liam Dillon is also returning, having the only three AA rosette restaurant in his home town of Lichfield. There are also two new chefs on the block: the executive head chef of Gordon Ramsay’s Lucky Cat in London, Cambridge-born Ben Orpwood, and Nottingham's Harvey Perttola, head chef at Restaurant Six in Trent Bridge.

Presenter Andi Oliver welcomes them to the kitchen, where the theme for this year’s competition is a celebration of 100 years of British broadcasting. 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 their first course canapes. Show less