The heats for the south west of England begin. Returning to the programme are Mark Threadgill, head chef at Hotel Portmeirion, Georgia Sommerin, head chef at Michelin-starred restaurant Home in Penarth, and Tom ‘Westy' Westerland, who developed his style at Michelin-starred Lucknam Park. They are joined by first-time contestant Simmie Vedi from Cardiff.
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.