Two Liverpool chefs to represent the North West on Great British Menu 2025

Liverpool is set to be on the culinary map once again as two chefs from the city will compete in this year’s Great British Menu.

Livia Alarcon and Jack Bond will face off against each other as they represent the North West on BBC’s Great British Menu 2025.

Liv is a rising star from the city who runs the modern European eatery La Bistroteca at the Baltic Market.

Having lead some of the most iconic kitchens within the city and beyond, Livia, 26, became head chef of Maray at just 21 where she was featured and awarded for herself and her team’s cooking in the Good Food Guide 2017 and 2018, as well as going on to be part of the BBC’s Chefs’ Brigade, travelling across six countries with Michelin Star chef Jason Atherton.

Liv lasted for the whole series and was then offered a job at Atherton’s Pollen Street Social in London, but she turned it down to return to Liverpool where she then became Head Chef at Queens where she cooked for Jay Rayner who reviewed the restaurant.

Since then, Livia has cooked all food served on TV show Boiling Point. And now she’s ready to do the city proud on the Great British Menu.

Jack Bond, head chef and co-owner of the Michelin-starred and three AA Rosette restaurant The Cottage in the Wood in Whinlatter, Cumbria, is gearing up for a thrilling culinary challenge as he joins the 2025 season of the BBC’s Great British Menu.

Originally from Crosby, 33-year-old Jack will represent the northwest of England in the highly anticipated regional heats, which kick off on Tuesday, 28 January, at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Competing for a coveted spot in finals week, the two will be joined by three other chefs from the northwest:

• Eddie Shepherd: A plant-focused innovator behind the sell-out The Walled Gardens underground restaurant in Manchester.
• James Hill: Head chef at The Oak at Curthwaite in Carlisle, known for his modern British cuisine.

This year’s Great British Menu theme, “Great Britons,” challenges chefs to craft menus inspired by iconic historical figures from their regions, both ancient and modern.

The best dishes will feature at a spectacular banquet at Blenheim Palace, celebrating 20 years of the show.

The format remains the same, with Andi Oliver returning as host and a powerhouse judging panel:

• Michelin-starred double banquet winner, Tom Kerridge
• Comedian and food podcast presenter, Ed Gamble
• New judge Lorna McNee of Michelin-starred Cail Bruich in Scotland, a former GBM champion of champions

Jack Bond said:

“I’ve frequently thought about putting myself forward to take part in Great British Menu, but for some reason never got round to it.

“However, that all changed when I became a dad in 2024, as well as buying The Cottage in the Wood with my wife Beth. Both of those momentous events gave me the impetus to put my name in the hat and push myself beyond my comfort zone.

“I’m looking forward to the experience and having the opportunity to compete alongside some very talented chefs representing the northwest region.

“This year’s theme promises to be pretty interesting, and will no doubt throw up a few challenges, as we celebrate historical figures from across the region, with the added pressure of it being the 20th Anniversary of GBM too! So, we’ll just have to see how things go and where I end up in the competition.’’

Watch Liv and Jack as they battle it out on Great British Menu starting Tuesday, 28 January, at 8.00pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.

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