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The heats for Northern Ireland begin. Returning to the programme for a third time is Gemma Austin, chef patron of A Peculiar Tea. Joining her are John Hollywood from County Armagh, Kerry Roper, head chef at Stix and Stones in Belfast, and Matt Jordan, who heads up the kitchen at Shu in Belfast.

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 canapés.