Kirk Haworth named 'champion of champions' on Great British Menu

Kirk Haworth has been crowned the 'champion of champions' for the 2024 series of Great British Menu.

The chef, who represented the north-west region, wowed guests with his dessert course at the grand final, which was held at the British ambassador’s residence in Paris.

Chefs, Olympians and Paralympians attended the banquet, held ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, and voted for the final winner.

Haworth’s dessert consisted of sour cherries from Europe set inside a sponge ring, with a cacao gateau with cherry gel, vanilla caramel sauce and Australian toasted macadamias. It was topped with Asian coconut blossom ice-cream and presented under cloches made by Haworth’s sister.

Named ‘A Taste of Unity’, the plant-based dish featured flavours to represent each of the five continents represented in the Olympic ring logo.

Olympian Jess Ennis-Hill said: “The caramel sauce, I can’t tell you how amazing it was. I’m so impressed by this.”

Chef Michael O’Hare, who judged Haworth’s heat, said: “It’s exactly as I remember, but even better. I’m so, so pleased for him. He’s absolutely smashed it.”

Paralympian Ellie Simmonds said: “To think that’s all vegan as well, it’s just incredible.”

Haworth said: “I feel incredible, but I think the banquet’s about all of us. To work with such incredible chefs is a huge honour.”

Haworth spent five years struggling with health problems before he was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2016. After discovering that removing meat, gluten, refined sugar and dairy from his diet improved his symptoms, he began exploring innovative ways to cook with new ingredients.

He won the Menu of the Year awards at the 2023 Cateys for his London restaurant Plates, which is currently undergoing refurbishment ahead of reopening this spring.

Haworth's appearance on Great British Menu sees him follow in the footsteps of his chef dad Nigel, who has run the Three Fishes gastropub in Mitton since 2021.

Nigel cooked the main course at the banquet in 2009 and later returned to the show as a ‘vetaran’ judge.