The candidates (all aged 16-25) have been whittled down from scores of entries received in the first round and are now tasked with making and photographing their dish to bring their paper entries to life and will be judged by James Tanner and Thomas Leatherbarrow alongside Coup de pates’ in-house development chefs.

Mariam French, head of marketing and product development for Coup de Pates, said: “Congratulations to our final five young chefs – proof if proof were needed that the UK is a hotbed of young pastry talent. In the end, their recipes, the rationale, the focus on bringing something new to the plate, shone the brightest in a first stage packed with fresh, innovative ideas.

“The competition now heats up as our finalists bring their dishes together for real – we can’t wait to remake and taste them before taking our winner to Paris for the development day of a lifetime. Once there, they will have a hand in creating a brand new product for the UK market. Something truly special.”

The winner will be announced in January 2016 and will be whisked off to the Coup de Pates’ Paris HQ on an all expenses paid trip.

The final five candidates are:

• Shaun Longmire, self-employed pastry chef – Italian Clementine & Chocolate Inside Out Macaroon
• Eleny Islay Minto, part-time pastry chef, University College Birmingham – Salted Cashew Butter and Greek Yoghurt Tartelette, Infused with Lime
• Alice Prothero, apprentice chef, Houndgate Townhouse, Darlington – Waldorf Salad Macaroon
• Jack Ellingham, chef, Climpson’s Arch, Hackney – Apple Terrine, Arlette Pastry and Brown Butter Ice Cream, Sour Caramel
• Emily Moorhouse, commis chef, Shrewsbury College – Profiteroles with Clementine Crème Patisserie, Gingerbread Foam, Pumpkin Shards, Liquorice Crumb