As the final week of heats begins, six more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the tenth MasterChef champion. Firstly, the contestants are asked to cook their calling card, a practiced dish that represents who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. They have just one hour to dazzle the judges with one plate of food that shows just what they can do.
They then face the infamous invention test, choosing between two sealed boxes of ingredients - one sweet and one savoury. Chef John Torode takes on this challenge himself, showing the viewers at home just what is possible with the few ingredients. The sweet ingredients are pineapple, white chocolate, digestive biscuits, pecan nuts, creme fraiche, sherry and szechuan pepper, while the savoury box contains a saddle of rabbit, smoked haddock, bacon rashers, curly kale, vine tomatoes, dried morels, baby turnips, leeks, cayenne pepper, polenta and sage.
The amateurs have just one hour to cook a dish good enough to keep them in the competition. The stakes are high because, after this test, two of them will go home.
The four remaining cooks face one more challenge to obtain a place in the quarter-final. Replicating the conditions of service, they have to cook an impressive menu for some very special guests.
In this episode 2009 MasterChef champion Mat Follas joins fellow finalist from that year Andy Oliver and 2011 finalist Tom Whitaker as they give their verdict. There is also the chance to find out what triumphs and challenges they have faced since their own MasterChef journeys.
After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg will decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to the quarter-final. Show less