Liverpool’s Chef Claire Lara Creates A Dish As Part Of BBC One’s The Coronation Dish Contest

The Liverpool City Region's Very Own Claire Lara Is One Of Only 5 Chefs

Claire Lara, one of the Liverpool City Region's most in demand chefs is one of five chefs who is competing in BBC One’s The Coronation Dish – a food contest launched by The One Show to mark the Coronation of Their Majesties, The King and The Queen.

Announced during the programme last week, Alex Jones and Roman Kemp explained how The One Show is joining forces with the Queen of Cooking, Dame Mary Berry and the Coronation Big Lunch to vote for a Coronation dish that is perfect for celebrations up and down the country.

Claire joins four other winners from BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu who have been invited to create one outstanding savoury dish in Their Majesties’ honour.

'For me this is about representing Liverpool and how vibrant and creative our superb food and drink scene is. I’m so proud to have been selected as a finalist and as the north’s only entrant. This is a dish which I hope everyone will love and support.' - Chef Claire Lara.

Claire now has quite possibly the biggest and by far the most exciting challenge of her culinary career – a chance for her King Oyster Mushroom Filo Tart recipe to be crowned The Coronation Dish by viewers of BBC’s The One Show.

Dame Mary Berry, said: 'I’m so excited about this. It’s our search for a Coronation Dish but it will be The One Show viewers who get to choose the ultimate winner. We want a dish that is perfect to share. Whether it’s for family, friends or simply at home.'

Viewers saw Claire showcase her dish in a special film which is and now lines are open for the public to vote, with Claire the only entrant from Liverpool. The winner of the contest will be revealed live on The One Show on Tuesday, May 2nd.

Claire says: 'I couldn’t believe it when I was asked if I could create a dish to potentially become a central part of the Coronation celebrations. The dish, a spanakopita, also touches on the King's Greek heritage, with his father's title of Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. This feels to me highly celebratory; certainly in our household, celebratory occasions always feature filo pastry on our dining table!'

She, said: 'The recipe is a reflection of the King, my vision for his reign, and also the nation's future. I have chosen a vegetarian recipe due to the health benefits, as well as environmental and sustainability benefits of a vegetarian diet. Not only are environmental concerns of great importance for the nation as a whole, this is also a long-standing personal passion of the King.'

Claire added: 'In addition to this, with the rising cost of living, there are cost benefits to having a diet weighted more towards vegetables than meat products.'

Claire won MasterChef: The Professionals in 2010 and her career has evolved to become one of Liverpool’s most innovative and long-standing culinary figures. Claire is Head of Development at LEAF, ONE FINE DAY and OH ME OH MY in Liverpool, a series of independent tea rooms, restaurants and events spaces.

Claire, said: 'Showcasing British and easily sourced produce was a key consideration in the recipe’s design, with British king oyster mushrooms and feta taking centre stage. It’s simple to make, requires only basic kitchen equipment and can be served as a main course or as part of a larger table of celebration food. It also does not require a large amount of gas or electricity which again I hope will enable the dish to be enjoyed by everybody.'

The five competing top chefs on The Coronation Dish include:

1. Coronation Fried Chicken Sandwich – James Cochran, Great British Menu Champion 2018.

2. King Oyster Mushroom Filo Tart – Claire Lara, MasterChef: The Professionals Champion 2010.

3. Coronation Chicken Pie – Adam Handling, MasterChef: The Professionals Finalist 2013 and Great British Menu Champion 2023.

4. Coronation Cauliflower Dome – Nikita Pathakji, MasterChef: The Professional’s Champion 2022.

5. Celebratory Pork and Prawn Dumplings – Dan Lee, MasterChef: The Professional’s Champion 2021.

Claire added: 'For me this is about representing Liverpool and how vibrant and creative our superb food and drink scene is. I’m so proud to have been selected as a finalist and as the north’s only entrant. This is a dish which I hope everyone will love and support.'

To find Claire’s recipes and vote – go to www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow. With the Vote closing at 11.59pm on Monday the 1st of May.

The Big Lunch Charity – an official partner of the Coronation Weekend - was an idea from the Eden Project which began in 2009, and every year encourages communities to celebrate their connections and get to know each other a little better.

Following the success of the first Big Jubilee Lunch to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, The Big Lunch brought the Jubilee celebrations into the heart of every community in 2022 and will continue to bring people together for May’s Coronation Celebrations as The Big Coronation Lunch.

Devised with a budget in mind, The One Show website has tips to help viewers recreate the recipes. This includes options for vegetarians, options for ingredients and options for equipment. Every recipe can be made cheaply and easily.