Great British Menu 13

North East - Starter (2018)

This week it is the heats for the north east of England region. Competing for top spot are Danny Parker, head chef at Michelin-starred House of Tides in Newcastle, who is back to try his luck in the competition again after being knocked out in the regional heat last year following a tense tie-break. He is taking on two newcomers - Dan Fletcher, protege of Phil Howard, and now head chef at Fenchurch in the City of London, and David Coulson, who runs Peace and Loaf in Newcastle, which boasts 2 AA rosettes. After nerves are set on edge when they meet their surprise veteran judge, the chefs get their starters underway. Danny's dish 'My NHS: North Teas' takes inspiration from the comfort provided at his local hospital with a restorative cup of tea, but can he elevate his humble set of ingredients? Dan too has been inspired by tea but is attempting to bring together the flavours of thirty different ingredients. David's hoping his offal starter 'I Signed Up Today, It Takes Two Minutes,' will be a fitting tribute to the NHS's life-saving organ donation scheme.

North East - Fish (2018)

After the tense starter course, the chefs are all hoping to impress with their unique fish dishes. David is celebrating a personal connection to the brief with his 'My Cod I Bet Me Ma'am Has Seen Some Trotters', a tribute to his mum who has worked as a chiropodist for the NHS for 25 years. In a bid for high scores, his rivals both cook lobster for their dishes. Dan's 'For All Those Sleepless Nights' pays tribute to nightshift workers from the NHS with some bold but classic flavours, while Danny's 'Not All Superheroes Wear Capes' aims to give a taste of luxury to the hardworking staff.

North East - Main (2018)

As the chefs approach the halfway point of their regional heat, the pressure is mounting and once again, they are each serving a uniquely original take on the brief. Dan pays a tribute to an icon of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, while Danny is inspired by Aneurin Bevan, the founder of the NHS. David's dish is dedicated to the air ambulance staff who saved the life of his fiance, and he also takes a trip to meet one member of the team.

North East - Dessert (2018)

It is the chefs' last chance to impress and tensions are high. David hopes to transform a childhood comfort classic into a show-stopping dessert, while Danny is determined to pull out all the stops with his complex dessert 'Aunty Gwen's chocolate'. Dan takes a risk with an unusual combination of ewe's milk and bergamot, and he also takes a trip to meet Dr Ben Clarke who was working in the Royal London Hospital A&E during the London Bridge terror attack.

North East - Judging (2018)

The two remaining north east of England chefs cook their four-course 'Feast to Say Thank You' menus again. But will they take advice on board? The chefs hope to impress the formidable panel of judges - food writer Matthew Fort, restaurateur Oliver Peyton and broadcaster and cook Andi Oliver. They are joined by guest judge Dr Anne Weaver, a lead clinician with the London Air Ambulance charity who, as well as being at the front line of emergency medicine in the skies, has been at the forefront of life-saving initiatives, such as helicopters carrying blood on board. Only one chef can go through to represent the north east in the national finals.