Great British Menu returned to our screens this week with three one-hour episodes broadcast on BBC Two at 8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Every week, four top chefs from each region of the UK are competing to make the best canapes, starters and fish dishes inspired by 100 years of the BBC, all for a chance to cook a dish in a "once-in-a-lifetime banquet" at Alexandra Palace.
One Liverpool chef is making a comeback in next week's North West heats after being knocked out in the 16th season of the show last year.
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Dave Critchley, executive chef director at Lu Ban in the former Cains Brewery, said: "I am really looking forward to being involved with Great British Menu again as it was such a great experience last time.
"I've been given a second bite of the cherry and I intend to make the most of it.
"My ambition is to go one step further and to make it to the judges' chamber.
"It is a competition, but it is also an amazing opportunity to showcase the Chinese culinary arts I've been learning these last two years."
Dave, from Childwall, got his first job washing dishes in the well-known Halfway House pub.
Two years ago, he was selected as the last ever apprentice of renowned Chinese masterchef, Zhengxi Wu, who taught him the Tianjin cuisine that inspires the menu at Lu Ban.
For three nights next week, Dave will battle three North West chefs in the Great British Menu kitchen.
He's up against Caroline Martins of the Sao Paulo Project and Blossom Street Social in Manchester, Macclesfield native Sam Lomas of Glebe House in Devon, and Preston lad Stevie Lamb of The Orangery at Rockcliffe Hall, Darlington.
Andi Oliver returns as a presenter following the 2020 Christmas special of the Great British Menu (GBM).
The 17th series features new judges - Michelin-starred, GBM double banquet winner, Tom Kerridge; restaurateur Nisha Katona; and comedian and food podcast presenter Ed Gamble - who will judge the chefs' creative and culinary skills in the search of the perfect menu.
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