Michael Caines: "Nicholas, lot going on here, but you seemed a little bit less satisfied at the pass there. What was going on?"

Nicholas: "I think the thing that was stressing me out was the cooking of the fish. I did manage to give it a rest, and it has come out looking like nice and pearlescent."

Peers, tasting behind the scenes

"I can understand why he was worried about the fish, but actually, I think the eating quality of it's really nice."

Back in the judging room

Michael Caines: "Are you pleased with the bread?"

Nicholas: "It's a nice bread. It really sort of comes into its own when it's used to mop up the sauce."

Peers, tasting behind the scenes

Soda bread. Quite clever to do that, actually. No proving and mucking about.

Back in the judging room

Michael Caines: "How do you think the sauce has played its part in this dish?"

Nicholas: "I think it's a really good sauce. I think it's got a real depth of flavor."

Peers, tasting behind the scenes

"It's quite salty."

 "I like salty food, but it is teetering."

"It's really quite salty."

Back in the judging room

Michael Caines: "And what would you score the dish if you had to?"

Nicholas: "I'm honestly kicking myself about a few elements here, but I'm going to put myself out there and go for a six."

Final Judging

Michael Caines: "Nicholas, your dish. Fossil Finder. The presentation was lovely and fun and hit the brief. I like the ammonite shapes too. Very, very playful. The brill was slightly overcooked and the mousse in the centre was a bit grainy. The sauce was delicious. Well balanced, great depth of flavour and the acidity levels and seasoning were just spot on. The bread was delicious and I understand that you wanted to use it to mop up the sauce, but, you know, let's have more of that delicious sauce to mop up."