Adam Handling has done Scotland proud as the Dundonian was one of four chefs cooking up a storm at the Great British Menu 2023 banquet.
Over nine weeks, 32 of the best chefs from across the UK competed with menus celebrating the theme of animation and illustration in honour of Paddington’s 65th birthday.
Adam, who started his career at the age of 16 and now has his own restaurant group, won the regional heats earlier this month.
Throughout finals week, he consistently wowed the judges with his starter coming in third place, and his fish course coming in second despite bagging a perfect score of 40.
He also narrowly missed out in round three to serve his main course at the banquet by two points.
However, the Scotsman’s hard work finally paid off as he secured a spot with his Beano inspired dessert which again scored full marks.
The finalists
Adam was joined by London and South East representative Avi Shashidhara, South West representative Nick Beardshaw, and Central England’s Tom Shepherd in the kitchen.
North East representative Will Lockwood also prepared two mini courses throughout the event as he was the highest scoring runner up.
The banquet was held at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.
The four chefs were competing for the final time on BBC Two from 9pm to 10pm. This time, to win the renowned title of champion of champions.
They had 24 hours to prep and cook their dishes ahead of guests arriving, which included Adam’s auntie Katie who travelled from Scotland.
Paying homage to the Beano
Adam admitted he was feeling nervous ahead of the banquet. He had to prepare 17 kilos of strawberries among a multitude of other components, so the pressure was undoubtedly on.
His dish Food Fight featured brown butter cake, strawberry jelly and gel, long pepper set custard, strawberry tuiles, coffee syrup and meadowsweet cream.
Beano editor Michael Stirling was among the guests at the banquet.
Others included Cressida Cowell, Sir Lenny Henry, Axel Schleffer, Dapo Adeola, Terry Deary, Peter Lord, and Suzie Templeton.
And, of course, judges chef Tom Kerridge, restaurateur Nisha Katona and food podcaster and comedian Ed Gamble were in attendance to vote for their favourite dish.
What was served?
The starter, Scrambled Snake by the Lake, was prepared by Avi while Nick dished up the fish course, A Moon Shaped Pool inspired by Stanley Donwood’s Radiohead album cover of the same name.
Tom’s Desperate Dan’s Cow Pie was the main course for the evening.
Will canapes included Paddington’s Marmalade Sandwich and Get Off Me Cheese, inspired by Wallace and Gromit and Wallace’s love for Wensleydale cheese.
This was the first-ever Great British Menu cheese course.
Emotions running high
“I got more done than I thought I would today [on the day before banquet day], so I feel comfortable. I’m going to sleep well tonight put it that way,” said the Dundee chef.
“I have my eyes on that champion of champions there’s no doubt about it.”
Adam received incredible feedback for his Food Fight dessert in the regional heat as well as in the last round of finals week last night.
On banquet day, the chefs arrived at 7.30am and had five hours of cooking time before celebrations kicked off.
Adam’s aunt was feeling emotional ahead of his course being served. She said: “I have extremely high expectations. This man has worked hard his whole life.”
After service, he went on to say: “I feel a little bit like an emotional wreck. It’s a lot of components to put on one dish especially when it’s temperature sensitive.
“Champions of champions, have I done enough? I have no idea. There was a lot of great food being served today.”
‘I know who I’m voting for’
Food Fight was praised by attendees, and the popping candy element proved particularly popular.
Author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers said: “This was playful and mischievous. It was exactly the sort of stuff the backstreet boys would have done.”
While Elise Murray, Young 2D Animator of the Year 2022, said: “You can see clearly where the inspiration came from. There’s so many elements working well together, I think I know who I’m voting for.”
Nisha added: “It was oohs and aahs all round the table. Really, really well executed.”
Each attendee was given the opportunity to vote for who they thought cooked the best course.
And in the end, it was Adam awarded with the incredible champion of champions trophy.
He said: “I’m surprised I won this one for sure. I wanted it, there’s no doubt about it. I gave it everything.”
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