TWO top chefs from Lake District restaurants went head to head on national TV to show off their culinary talents.

Tom Barnes, who grew up in Barrow, was the victor in the Great British Menu north west heats as he went up against Windermere chef Hrishikesh Desai.

The pair landed there having received the highest scores from judges on the BBC Two show earlier in the week, beating out two more of the north west's finest cooks.

It is Mr Barnes who will represent the region in the national finals of the competition after his Beatrix Potter-inspired menu impressed the judges.

The chef, 31, attended Sacred Heart Primary School and has worked with Simon Rogan, including at his Michelin-starred Cartmel restaurant L'Enclume, since 2011.

Mr Desai runs the Michelin-starred Hrishi, based at Gilpin Hotel and Lake House.

Their six-course concoctions prepared for the judges were inspired by children's fiction, with both paying homage to the celebrated author who created Peter Rabbit.

Mr Barnes drew high praise from critics, with judge Oliver Peyton repeatedly taken aback by his dishes.

The judge called Mr Barnes' trout tartlet 'the best amuse bouche we've had'.

His Dickens-inspired starter of mushroom porridge was lauded for its 'amazing flavours' and his main course of Herdwick lamb was marked out as 'absolutely delicious'.

Mr Desai recovered from a stuttering start after judges called his fish dish 'wrong on every level' to present them with lamb dish paying tribute to every Beatrix Potter character, described as 'one of the most beautiful things we’ve every seen on Great British Menu'.

His dessert, which mimicked spaghetti and meatballs, was also enjoyed by judges.

Mr Barnes is the head chef at Rogan & Co and also helped to open the Henrock restaurant in Bowness.

Reflecting on the win afterwards judges announces the victor, he told presenter Susan Calman: “I’m so relieved and quite surprised.”

He will compete for a chance to cook at the final banquet.