who left masterchef the professionals last night

In our post-work slump, the question of whether Ashley’s beurre blanc will separate, or Louise’s coconut tuile will stand to attention all the way to the judges’ table, takes on curious significance. That we will watch is a tragic inevitability. Elsewhere, all the usual MasterChef markers are here: edible flowers jus in tiny jugs purees skid-marked indecorously across plates. She may as well have microwaved her shoes and served those instead. Meanwhile, Gregg is in shock as Fiona has left the skin on her fish, along with a chewy flap of Parma ham.

“Next time smaller balls,” Louise intones. “YOU’VE GOT MASSIVE MEATBALLS THERE, LOUISE,” thunders John. This week there is an issue with the size of Louise’s meatballs. For the time being, however, we’re dealing in the everyday: risottos, fish stews and steamed puddings. In a few weeks’ time the surviving contestants will be transformed into ruthless machines, turbo-chopping their way through the rounds with radical flavour combinations and astonishing gastronomic know-how. “IT’S A REALLY TIGHT CALL,” booms John, causing the Earth’s tectonic plates to shift.Īnd so to the opening episode, which finds the cooks visiting a mocked-up “market” to assemble ingredients. “WHO STAYS AND WHO GOES, JOHN?” roars Gregg, as windows shatter in the next postcode. Pointless bellowing remains a vital ingredient, quite possibly written into the judges’ contracts. Over the years the format has been repeatedly diced, whisked and flattened, but now we’re back to basics with seven contestants in a warehouse serving up their beloved Italian grandma’s ravioli, or the cod in fennel velouté that once sealed the deal with their spouse. “Only the best will make it through,” goes the narration, helpfully disabusing us of the notion that only the ones who can’t fry an egg are likely to land the trophy. Cooking doesn’t get more repetitive than this. However, MasterChef doesn’t mind putting viewers through the wringer. With three hour-long episodes every week, seeing the series through to the end requires the kind of commitment available only to students and insomniacs. Only in this case it’s Gregg Wallace (Doctor Who’s Strax in disguise) and John Torode (cartoon bloodhound) who have hijacked the media. It’s like the sci-fi trope where the villain takes over the TV stations: no matter how many times you flick the channels the same face stares out. Now on its 14th series, the show is as omnipresent as a cold virus.

No sooner has the steam dispersed on MasterChef: The Professionals than the all-conquering MasterChef (Monday, 9pm, BBC1) once again turns its attention to amateur cooks. “M asterChef is back,” coos the voiceover, lest viewers worry that they have been left high and dry in the 32 minutes since it was last on air.

Who left masterchef the professionals last night