Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

London and South East - Starter and Fish Courses

In the first heat, Ben Marks’s dish takes inspiration from The Beatles track Glass Onion, while Paul Walsh opts for a delicate fish and fregola dish inspired by The Kinks.

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.

59 minutes

Clip

Music Played

  • The Kinks

    Waterloo Sunset

  • Oasis

    Morning Glory

  • Deep Purple

    Smoke On The Water

Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Wendy Lloyd
Editor Glenn Furmanski
Series Producer Avril Beaven
Series Producer Perjit Aujla
Composer Daniel Pemberton
Executive Producer Sarah Eglin
Director Francois Gandolfi
Interviewer Angela Hartnett
Camera Supervisor Simon Cox
Camera Operator Chris Davis
Camera Operator Matt Patrick

Broadcasts

Featured in...

Series 19: Meet the Chefs

Series 19: Meet the Chefs

Find out more about the chefs competing to make it through to the 2024 banquet.