The sixth series of MasterChef: The Professionals 2013 continues as Michelin-starred Michel Roux Jr and Monica Galetti and seasoned diner Gregg Wallace search for a culinary talent exceptional enough to take the 2013 coveted title.
It’s the third week of heats and eight ambitious chefs from all over the country begin their bid when they face their first test set by Monica – the Invention Test.
In tonight’s challenge the eight chefs must make one dish using a section of just seven ingredients: brown crabmeat, sea purslane, aubergine, baby fennel, mango, ricotta and coconut. But before they get their chance, Monica cooks a dish for Gregg from the same ingredients, in the same amount of time - just one hour. It’s a terrifying demonstration of the standard of food she expects and what is possible in the time.
Next it’s the eight hopeful chefs turn to create their dish. They must hold their nerve and take the opportunity to catch the judges’ attention from the start, but for the right reasons. For now, they are all safe but the group of eight is split and tomorrow night the first four chefs return to face three more tests - Monica’s much feared Skills Test followed by Michel Roux Jr’s demanding Classics challenges.
After this both Monica and Michel decide who has earnt a place in the Quarter Finals and who will be leaving the competition for good.
Tuesday 19th November
In tonight’s one-hour show, four of the eight chefs from yesterday’s heat return to face three daunting tests, before Monica and Michel decide their fate. It’s their last chance to show they are serious about the competition before one of them is sent home. First up it’s Monica and Gregg’s infamous Skills Test. The judges give the chefs ten minutes each to make a savoury sabayon and use it to make a glaze for some seafood. With a sweet sabayon being more common in most chefs repertoires, this will not only test how they work under pressure but also their ability to adapt what they already know. Any mistakes now could seriously damage their chances of continuing in the competition.
Next, the chefs face Michelin starred legend Michel Roux Jr for the first time when he sets them two Classics Tests. For the first challenge Michel makes a French Pork Pie stuffed with Chestnuts and Apple and served with a British salad cream. The chefs have one hour to recreate his dish from a basic recipe that contains no weights and measures. The pressure is on as they must serve up the prefect pie, with a crisp outside and moist inside, for Michel. Finally, the four are asked to cook their own choice of classic dish for Michel in just one hour, before he is joined by Monica to decide which chef will leave the competition. Only the best three chefs will go through to the Quarter Final and move a step closer to winning the title of Professional MasterChef.
Wednesday 20th November
In tonight’s one hour show, the remaining
