This week is the north west regional heats and three ambitious newcomers are competing to win a place in the national finals. They must cook their starters for veteran judge Daniel Clifford. The three chefs are Tom Parker, head chef at The White Swan in Fence, who is eager to impress with a salad that includes ten complex elements; Paul Askew, the most experienced chef in the competition, who hopes his traditional techniques will triumph over his younger competitors; and self-taught Ellis Barrie, who is taking a risk with a creative cucumber and oyster starter.