National Chef of the Year 2017 finalist, Martin Carabott, is senior sous chef at The Royal Automobile Club.

Martin began his professional cooking career in 2006 whilst studying at the Institute of Tourism in Malta. During this time he moved to Britain to work at Gleneagles in Scotland later moving to London when he joined Apsley’s as chef de partie. He has been at The Royal Automobile Club since 2012. Earlier this year he was crowned the British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year 2016.

Are you nervous about cooking live at The Restaurant Show?

I am a little nervous but looking forward to cooking there nonetheless.

This is the  second time you have made it through to the finals, what made you want to do it again?

I entered again because I found it to be such an amazing experience last year which was the first time I had done it and wanted another shot at the title this year.

>>> Find out more about Martin

What would it mean to you to win?

Winning NCOTY would mean a great achievement for me, probably the biggest of my career to date!

Who have been your greatest influences?

My influences come a lot from media such as books or internet but the biggest by far are the people I have worked with throughout my career.

How do you let your personality come out in your cooking?

My cooking is mainly a reflection of what I would like to eat as a customer, subject to the ingredients in season, using also techniques I've picked up here and there to bring it out.

What are your plans for the future, where do you want to be?

My immediate plan for the future is starting in a new restaurant opening but further than that I'd like to be in charge of my own kitchen.

>>> Read more about this year's finalists here

On Tuesday, October 4 a new National Chef of the Year will be crowned. We take a closer look at this year's finalists hoping to produce winning dishes at the final at The Restaurant Show, which will impress the judging panel.