The F Word

The competition kicks off as two Italian restaurants go head-to-head. Both face one of the biggest challenges of their lives as they prepare a three-course meal under Gordon's watchful eye -- but who will be good enough to fight for the title?

The search continues as two Indian restaurants battle. Curry is one of Britain's favorite dishes, so the pressure is really on. Meanwhile, Janet Street-Porter welcomes a batch of rare pigs that she is rearing for the final showdown.

Two French restaurants slug it out as they prepare a three-course meal that includes foie gras, rock of lamb, grey mullet and crepes suzette. Meanwhile, Gordon travels to Paris to learn all about the dying art of croissant making.

Two local Chinese restaurants face off as they prepare a meal that includes salt and pepper squid, pork dumplings, claypot chicken and banana fritters. Meanwhile, Gordon hunts for an amazing Chinese delicacy -- mitten crab-- in the Thames.

Gordon invites the two best Thai restaurants in Britain to cook a meal including fishcakes, chicken curry and spicy sweet pork. They each try to score enough points to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Two of the most brilliant Spanish restaurants in Britain compete in a three-course meal challenge. Meanwhile, Gordon travels to Spain to hunt for a dangerous and difficult to source delicacy -- Percebes or Goos Barnacles.

Gordon turns his attention to food from North and South America. The top two contenders -- Caribbean and Argentinian -- battle it out by cooking a menu of chicken and chili, rib eye steak, spicy pork and roast peaches.

In a special Christmas showdown, two of the best British food restaurants battle it out with a menu of stilton starters, stuffed rabbit, venison loin and Christmas pudding souffles. Meanwhile, Gordon travels to Lapland to learn about reindeer meat.

For the final heat, Gordon looks for the best cuisine from all over the globe. The top contenders -- Greek and Moroccan -- go head-to-head with a menu of sardines, prawn and mussel tagine and a delicious mixed grill.

In the first of two semi-finals, the winners of the Chinese, Indian and American rounds compete for the chance to cook in the grand final. First, they deal with secret diners and hidden cameras before cooking at Gordon's restaurant for a group of diners.

In the last semi-final, the best British, Thai and Greek restaurants give it their all for a chance to cook in the grand final. Only one restaurant will survive secret diners, demanding diners and cooking at Gordon's flagship restaurant.

Gordon’s search reaches its climax in the grand final. The two finalists battle it out with beef, pork and chicken provided by Janet as they face a dining room full of food writers. And one winner will be crowned The World's Best Local Restaurant.