Required to create a two-course menu in 90 minutes with Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce an integral ingredient, either course must contain meat or fish and will be judged by the panel of four industry experts, including: TV chef Brian Turner; David Mulcahy, Craft Guild of Chefs; Simon Hulstone chef/ owner of Michelin-starred restaurant The Elephant (Torquay) and Bing-yu of Kikkoman UK.

The final will take place at the Restaurant Show on 2 October, where last year’s winner, Michael Wickham from RAC Club, will also join the judging panel.

Simon Hulstone said: “Each year the standard of entries gets better and better and this year the standard again exceeded expectations.  We have seen an increase in many unusual ingredients and the final 10 chefs have certainly produced some inspirational dishes.”

Bing-yu Lee, Kikkoman UK manager added: “We were delighted with the response from chefs this year.  In addition to the high standard of entries it’s clear that chefs are thinking very carefully about their entries before submitting their final dishes.  This year there was no restriction on the style of cuisine so we’ve seen a big increase in the number of Oriental influenced dishes.”

The final ten are as follows:

• Matei Baran, Executive Head Chef, Bannatyne Hotel Darlington
• Jack Bradley, Head Chef, Temple Sowerby House Hotel
• Joseph Fallowfield, Sous Chef, Kota Restaurant
• John Grabecky, Head Chef, BNY Mellon
• Ollie Hay, Head Chef, Nomura (RA)
• David Hussey, Executive Head Chef, Sodexo
• Scott Perkins, Restaurant Operations Chef Trainer, Pillars Restaurant/London Geller College of Hospitality
• Gabriel Rechisan, Chef de Partie, Gidleigh Park
• Steven Sewell, Cpl Chef, RAF Wittering
• Fergus Wilford, Sous Chef, Cliveden House

For more information visit www.kikkoman.co.uk.