By Elliana Hopwood and Hettie Bright
Liverpool hosted its annual pancake day race at Liverpool Parish Church, an event which began in the 1980s.
Chefs from the city’s restaurants competed by running three laps of the church courtyard while flipping their pancakes at designated stations.
This year’s race saw participants from several restaurants and hotels, including the Titanic Hotel, Tempest, and Hilton Hotel.
Rector of Liverpool, Father Phillip Anderson, said: “I guess many people who came may not be regular church goers, but what they were are chefs and supports from local hotels and restaurants. It’s important for us as a church to provide a place where they are put into the spotlight.”
Lee Johnson, 39, a chef from the Tempest on Tithebarn, is this year’s champion. He said: “It feels very good to win. I came second last year, it feels a lot better, I’m very happy.”
His name will now be engraved alongside previous champions on a copper frying pan.
Pancake day is a historic tradition which celebrates Shrove Tuesday, the day before the Christian celebration of Lent. It originated when people started using up their rich and expensive foods before the period of fasting began.
Clare Ledingham, Churchwarden, said: “I was wondering how many people in the population actually know that Shrove Tuesday is a thing today.”
MerseyNewsLive followed the event:
Spectators cheered on the chefs as they raced around the grounds, with one boy shouting, “Go, daddy, go!”
Peter, a chef from Canada working at the Hilton Liverpool, said his tactic was: “Just fake it until you make it, really.”
MerseyNewsLive asked the people of Liverpool what their favourite pancake topping is.
Watch this TikTok to find out what they said.
@merseynewslive What are people in Liverpool having on their pancakes? Read more at https://merseynewslive.co.uk/ pancakeday pancakeday2026 paddingtonbear
