Kirk Haworth, a north east contestant in the Great British Menu - Credit: BBC/ Optomen Despite being knocked out of the regional heats of the Great British Menu, Hoxton chef Kirk Haworth has vowed to be the best vegan chef in the world. Kirk, who is the first plant-based chef to compete on the BBC2 programme, "cried for a week" after he failed to get through the north east regional heats of the fine dining competition, which aired last week. The co-founder of the Hoxton vegan restaurant and events company Plates London in Kingsland Road made it through to the final two of four contestants, but was beaten by Daniel McGeorge.