Great British Menu: Season 18, Episode 23

18 - 23: Central England: Mains and Puddings

The three chefs are halfway through their heat, and the pressure is mounting. Once again, they each serve their unique take on the brief celebrating British animation and illustration, inspired by Paddington's 65th birthday.

For mains, two chefs serve very different beef dishes, but the third chef has taken the bold step of choosing to cook a vegan main course. There's a Desperate Dan pie and a traditional Staffordshire lobby. All three dishes are inspired by cartoons drawn by Midlands-based artists.

For dessert, there's an ambitious Bananaman dish featuring a banana cake and ice cream. Another chef has a dessert shaped to look exactly like a microphone, featuring unusual artichoke flavours and sherry. Finally, the third chef attempts a famously trickly soufflé as part of a visual dish made to look like a graphic pop video.

Only two will proceed to cook for the judges and have a chance to represent central England at the regional finals.