MasterChef finalist prepare lavish dinners in Solihull
Jun 14 2010 by Richard McComb, Birmingham Mail
THEY are Masterchef’s very own Three Musketeers and they’ve pitched into culinary battle once more – to satisfy Midland diners.
Dhruv Baker, the winner of the BBC show, teamed up with fellow finalists Tim Kinnaird and Alex Rushmer to put on lavish meals for guests at Hampton Manor, at Hampton in Arden.
The latest kitchen challenge meant a return to the Birmingham area for Dhruv, who studied business and Spanish at Birmingham University and has relatives in the city.
It was also a homecoming for medically-trained Tim, whose first job was as a doctor at Solihull Hospital.
The trio prepared two spectacular dinners at Hampton Manor’s showpiece Peel’s Restaurant on Thursday and Friday.
Alex cooked a starter of braised pigs cheek with crisp ear and pomme purée. Dhruv took charge of the main dish of Achari duck breast with pickled carrot puree and spiced plum sauce. He said: “I did this dish in my quarter-final and it was a real high point for me in the competition.”
The dish was a hit with celebrity judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode. Dhruv, whose mother is Indian, said: “Gregg and John were incredibly complimentary and said that they rarely tasted dishes as complex and elegant and that was quite emotional.
“I had worked on it for months and months before doing it on the show and it’s a dish that I think sums up my style – classic cooking techniques married with the Asian flavourings that I grew up with.”
Pudding specialist Tim produced a dessert of chocolate mousse baked meringue with crème anglais and caramel shards.
The Hampton Manor dinners served as a gastronomic appetiser for appearances by the chefs at the BBC Summer Good Food Show at the NEC this week. The five-day food extravaganza starts on Wednesday and Dhruv and his fellow finalists will be appearing at the event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
