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 a renowned veteran judge of the competition. 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.