Great British Menu

London & South East - Starter & Fish (14x1)

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This week it is the heats for the London and south east region. Competing for the top spot are three new chefs to the competition representing some of the most exciting culinary talent from London. Paul Walsh is executive chef at Michelin-starred City Social. He won his star there within just a few months of opening. On the other side of town, Luke Selby has just won a Michelin star as head chef at Hide in the West End. Finally, the youngest chef in the competition - Ben Marks is the chef owner of Perilla, in Hackney. He has been described as one of the most exciting new chefs of his generation by world-renowned chef Phil Howard. Do these three brilliant newcomers know what they have let themselves in for when they meet their surprise veteran judge and then get cooking on their starters in the new GBM kitchen? Ben’s dish Glass Onion takes inspiration from The Beatles track of that name as he reveals a very personal reason for feeling connected to this year’s music theme. Luke also has a dish, The British Invasion, themed around The Beatles for his starter, as he cooks a complicated, fragrant salad inspired by the lyrics from one of their early hits which won over America. Meanwhile, Paul the most experienced chef, has opted to cook Waterloo Sunset, a delicate fish and fregola dish inspired by the view from his rooftop restaurant and the Kinks hit. The chefs then move on to the fish dish. Paul is using john dory for his Oasis-inspired dish, What’s the Story Morning Dory?, while Ben is sticking with The Beatles as he attempts an ambitious, Indian-spiced mackerel dish. Luke’s Rock Stars heroes the lobster with Asian flavours – but just as he is due to plate his dish, he hits a disaster with his tempura batter which may spoil his chances in the competition.