To kick off the competition, Galton Blackiston from Norfolk, who won the Central region of England heat last year, faced new challenger, Sat Bains from Nottingham. Galton aimed to please with a classic ham hock terrine with piccalilli, while Sat went for an original take on ham, egg and peas.
Galton cooked wild sea bass with a sea bass mousse and brown shrimp sauce and Sat made lemon sole with oysters and muscovado jelly.
The Michelin-starred pair were both determined to take pole position for the main event, the main course. So who came out on top? Sat with beef or Galton with lamb?
Galton showed off a not-so-traditional trifle, while Sat was competing with his twist on raspberry sponge. When the judges declared almost universal displeasure at Sat's initial dessert, he took the opportunity to create a new dessert for the final week.