大象传媒

Great British Menu is back, and the competition is fiercer than ever as the nation's top chefs are being challenged to cook for the ultimate street party.

In 2010, up to one million people took part in The Big Lunch - a nationwide one-day event that encourages people to cook and eat with their neighbours.

Inspired by this, our chefs are battling to create spectacular sharing platters, dishes that will get everyone talking, proving that food has the power to bring us all together, for the most magnificent street party ever held.

Each week three chefs battle it out in the kitchen, for a chance to cook at the banquet and a veteran of the competition will taste and score their dishes every day. The pressure is on, as only two chefs can make it through to cook for the Great British Menu judges at the end of the week and one will be going home on Thursday.

This week it's the battle of the north east chefs - Andrew Pern, Stephanie Moon and Tim Bilton. All of them are determined to knock out their rivals in the race to the banquet.

Today they kick things off with their starters, but which one is going to be first off the blocks? Will it be potted venison with watercress and crisp fennel salad, 'salmagundi' of North County produce or sticky pigeon breast, forager's relish, hedgerow and beetroot crisps? Former champion Nigel Haworth will decide.