Snackmaster: Chefs struggle to uncover secret KFC recipe after being set task by Fred Sirieix in exclusive clip

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Is it possible to recreate the world-famous secret recipe for KFC’s fried chicken, devised by Colonel Sanders himself? In the new series of Snackmasters, two chefs take on the challenge.

In the Channel 4 programme, which is hosted by First Dates star Fred Sirieix, accomplished cooks are tasked with recreating some of the nation’s favourite snacks from scratch.

The first episode of series three sees Tom Aikens, the youngest ever chef to receive two Michelin stars, go up against Alex Bond, from fine dining restaurant Alchemilla in Nottingham.

They have just seven days to perfect their recipes before they’re assessed by KFC bosses – and in this exclusive clip ahead of the season premiere, it’s clear that both chefs are struggling to crack the Colonel’s creation.

Colonel Sanders’ original recipe – which consisted of 11 herbs and spices – was ‘locked in a vault and only handed out on a strict need-to-know basis’, Fred states in a voiceover.

‘Countless cooks have tried and failed to replicate the elusive flavour combination and finally my chefs are about to start their attempts,’ he says.

Alex’s attempt is shown first in the clip, with the chef ‘going with white pepper, celery salt, black pepper, thyme, mustard powder, onion powder, ginger and five spice’.

‘There is not 11 there but we’re going to start with the ones we can actually taste,’ he adds, explaining his process.

Next is Tom, who – similarly to Alex – decides to include white pepper in his recipe because ‘we know that the Americans like the white pepper’.

He also includes black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, basil, oregano, dry parsley, paprika, cayenne and thyme in the mix – a flavoursome combo!

‘Tom is starting with 10, not 11 – mon dieu! Perhaps he can’t count when he’s stressed!’ Fred remarks in a voiceover.

Tom admits that the KFC fried chicken recipe ‘is a very complicated recipe to crack’, because they have to ‘guess the spices but also the ratios to them’.

But Alex feels more confident about his recipe, giving it a taste before stating: ‘I mean if I’m honest, they smell pretty similar,’ when compared to the original fast food dish.

Who out of Tom and Alex will come out on top? Tune in later to find out.

Snackmasters returns tonight at 9.20pm on Channel 4

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