The meal is also sampled by the professional judges (but not Gregg Wallace).
In some series four chefs competed in this round, which was reduced to three in the next round. In Series 1 the invention test took place during the heats (before being replaced in Series 2 by the Skills Test, with the invention test being moved to the quarter final).
The contestant is then required to reproduce that dish in a specific time limit - typically 15–20 minutes.