Godiva Chocolate Challenge #2 - The Finals

As National Chocolate Week draws to a close, I know of one lady who will still be celebrating. Last year's Godiva Challenge Winner, Heather, returned this year as a finalist and according to the judges, it was no 'Hix Fix' that she retained her title.

The four judges, Mark Hix, Gizzi Erskine, William Sitwell and Godiva's Master Chocolatier Jean Apostolou (an old friend of mine ;)), took a little less than an hour of deliberation whilst us honoured invited guests (and non-finalists) mingled and tasted the four desserts. Impressive skills, a high standard and being able to taste the fine chocolate ingredients was key in their decision. Each finalist reproduced their dish six times - four for each of the judges, one for photos, and one for the rest of us to sample.

The four entries were:

Heather Bennet: Come Fly With Me

Heather's was really original, and so complex it took about six hours to re-create. Good luck with that to the professional chefs that will be serving it up in Mark Hix's Soho restaurant!

Come Fly With Me: Raspberry and Chocolate Meringue, Chocolate Mousse, Caramelised Almonds and Rose Cream

Anoop Momi: Nuts About Cherry

Anoop was supported by his lovely girl, who is always urging him to enter the Great British Bake Off. I reckon he would have a really good chance, his dish was perfection, in presentation as well as taste.

Nuts About Cherry: White Chocolate, Cherry and Pistachio Delice, Macarons, Tempered Chocolate, Kirsch Cherry and Ganache.

Joe Fallowfield: You Can Eat Flowers

Joe's beautiful dish showed off his chef skills with originality and opulence. An explosion of chocolate flavours.

You Can Eat Flowers: Chocolate and Rose Mousse, Kirsch Ice Cream Meringue, with Edible Flowers.

Rosanna McPhee: Chocolate Nut Torte with Cherry Meringue Ice Cream

Rosanna's dessert was, in my humble opinion, home cooking at its best. Although delicious and extremely skilled, it's also quite an accessible dish, which I hope to re-create soon.

You can find Rosanna's recipe here.

Chocolate Nut Torte with Amarena Cherry Meringue Ice Cream

Another wonderful evening hosted by Godiva. And better still, for every purchase of their delicious Mousse Meringues, they will donate a percentage to Breast Cancer Now. What better incentive to indulge in some luxurious chocolate?

Chef and Judge Mark Hix with the Godiva Challenge Winner, Heather.

Photos courtesy of LuxxPR, Photography by Carl Pendle.