The latest series of the competitive BBC cooking show ended last week with Handling’s trifle-inspired ‘Food Fight’ dessert declared the best dish at the Great British Menu banquet.
Handling was one of 32 chefs from across the UK to compete in this year’s competition, which celebrated the theme of animation and illustration in honour of Paddington’s 65th birthday.
His dessert was inspired by Dundee publishers, DC Thomson, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Beano and Dandy comics.
It featured brown butter cake, strawberry jelly and gel, long pepper set custard, strawberry tuiles, coffee syrup and meadowsweet cream.
Handling made it to the banquet having impressed the Great British Menu judges – Tom Kerridge, Nisha Katona and Ed Gamble – in both the regional and final heat, which were broadcast last month.
Cooking alongside him at the banquet was Pahli Hill head chef Avinash Shashidhara, who was selected to prepare the starter; Nick Beardshaw of Kerridge’s Bar and Grill, who triumphed in the fish course; and chef Tom Shepherd, who won out to cook the main dish.
Will Lockwood was chosen to prepare two mini courses throughout the event as he was the highest scoring runner up.
Handling runs the London-based Adam Handling Restaurant Group, whose portfolio includes the Michelin-starred Frog by Adam Handling in Covent Garden; The Loch & The Tyne in Old Windsor; Ugly Butterfly in Cornwall; and Eve Bar, also in Covent Garden.
