Masterchef: The Professionals 2016

twill

Returns on Tuesday 8 November. Hoping for better this year. This might not be a popular opinion as Marcus seems to be well-received, but I think Michel was better at motivating the candidates to perform. The best year I can remember was 2011 when Ash Mair won. All three finalists were outstanding and consistently produced genuinely interesting dishes. Marcus is encouraging but doesn't seem to inspire the same drive as Michel, and I think the standard has dropped a little.

Meauldsegosha

Starts tonight at 8pm on BBC2.

deco nate

Meauldsegosha wrote: »

Starts tonight at 8pm on BBC1.

BBC 2

Meauldsegosha

Just seen that when I went to set it to record.

twill

I've never heard of Steak Diane before, but it looks a bit unappetising to me.

Oh dear, Simon's doing it wrong! Looks of disapproval.

TheRiverman

I would never eat red meat that is prepared on any of The Masterchef series,either by the judges or contestants.Why?.It is always raw with the blood almost running out it.

twill

Mmm, Monica's tart is more to my taste. Bet no one will manage it.

Ellie did well. And Gregg is as annoying as ever.

TheRiverman

twill wrote: »

Mmm, Monica's tart is more to my taste. Bet no one will manage it.

Ellie did well. And Gregg is as annoying as ever.

Monica is more to my taste:):)

TheRiverman

Ellie well ahead of the rest.

twill

TheRiverman wrote: »

Ellie well ahead of the rest.

I noticed Monica was trying to be a bit more circumspect after Marcus praising her to the heavens. I think the right three went through.

twill

The skills test is a mess. No one did well.

Snoopy1

I love it when an arrogant Michelin star chef, comes in full of hype, then messes up the skills test.
Not sure what to make of monica hair

P. Breathnach

Snoopy1 wrote: »

...
Not sure what to make of monica hair

Soup?

Degag

twill wrote: »

Returns on Tuesday 8 November. Hoping for better this year. This might not be a popular opinion as Marcus seems to be well-received, but I think Michel was better at motivating the candidates to perform. The best year I can remember was 2011 when Ash Mair won. All three finalists were outstanding and consistently produced genuinely interesting dishes. Marcus is encouraging but doesn't seem to inspire the same drive as Michel, and I think the standard has dropped a little.

Would have to agree. I can't warm to Marcus the same way I did to Michel.

Degag

Not entirely sure what to make of Marcus stopping Kevin from plating up any further. Of course, it looks like he was severely overtime and it's not fair on the other chefs but i remember something similar happening a few years ago where someone was over half an hour late and she went on to joint win the competion. (Her name was Keri according to wikipedia.)

Alun

TheRiverman wrote: »

It is always raw with the blood almost running out it.

Rubbish, steak or any red meat has no blood in it. There's red stuff called myoglobin in it but it's not blood.

twill

Degag wrote: »

Not entirely sure what to make of Marcus stopping Kevin from plating up any further. Of course, it looks like he was severely overtime and it's not fair on the other chefs but i remember something similar happening a few years ago where someone was over half an hour late and she went on to joint win the competion. (Her name was Keri according to wikipedia.)

They tend to take a harder line than that nowadays though I've never seen anyone actually prevented from finishing their dish before. Usually they just let them at it but it's taken into account in the judging. Last year, Bobby was 8 minutes overtime with his banana souffle but it was so good they let him through.

Snoopy1

I would eat that venison dish In a heartbeat. It looked so nice

ebbsy

Yesterday looks the same as today, a few miles ahead of everybody else.

The new double individual rounds are very tough.

ebbsy

I'm sorry but Kirsty was really hard done by, being eliminated like that.

twill

The skills test was difficult to watch. Mind you, I think Marcus was setting them up to fail with that test.

_Jamie_

twill wrote: »

The skills test was difficult to watch. Mind you, I think Marcus was setting them up to fail with that test.

Yer one who was sent packing was very arrogant. And just stomped off at the end!

ebbsy

Interesting that Greg didn't let that guy put the sauce on the plate....he was given fair warning however and he was late in the skills test as well.

Meauldsegosha

That John Dory dish from Marcus looks delicious. Like Greg John Dory is my favourite fish.

twill

Ugh. The second group have drawn the short straw with this skills test, I think. Monica and Marcus do not look impressed.

reap-a-rat

Why didn't Andy have to make the mayonnaise?

patmac

I would not eat that Lamb tartar, Greg and Marcus don't seem to be relishing it either.

Meauldsegosha

Two desserts, Greg will be happy. He hasn't had many this series.

twill

Go Zoe. I like her.

Meauldsegosha

Tough decision for the judges tonight. If 5 of these contestants had been in other rounds they would had sailed through.

reap-a-rat

Meauldsegosha wrote: »

Tough decision for the judges tonight. If 5 of these contestants had been in other rounds they would had sailed through.

Was just about to say that. It was hard for them to pick 3 to go through yesterday because the standard was so poor. I think every round should be like this though! Really top notch stuff!

Oh my God, changing the rules because they are so awesome. Unreal!

twill

Haven't had my dinner yet, and I'm starving watching this! I hope they all storm through to cook for the critics, that would be some round.

twill

Zoe had two bad rounds so I'm not sure why she was put through. I feel sorry for Andy who had an off day, and in fairness the reinvention test was a bit rubbish. Max and Wayne did well.

twill

These skills tests are getting ridiculously involved. Nougatine, green tea mousse and about ten other things. What happened to the old fashioned butchery and basic recipes? It just seems to be about showcasing Monica and Marcus's egos.

Snoopy1

I do like a dessert dish though, better than fish

twill

I do love a good dessert, though I'm not sure green tea should be let anywhere near it.

1966

twill wrote: »

These skills tests are getting ridiculously involved. Nougatine, green tea mousse and about ten other things. What happened to the old fashioned butchery and basic recipes? It just seems to be about showcasing Monica and Marcus's egos.

Couldn't agree with you more.

The 3 judges then standing there either frowning or nodding with approval annoys me too......facial expressions are too much.

Heroditas

twill wrote: »

These skills tests are getting ridiculously involved. Nougatine, green tea mousse and about ten other things. What happened to the old fashioned butchery and basic recipes? It just seems to be about showcasing Monica and Marcus's egos.

I've no time for Monica anymore. Her skills tests have a whiff of "oh look at what I can do, aren't I great?", rather than testing the chefs on their general skills. Marcus is the exact opposite with his tests.
As for her facial expressions of horror, disgust and revulsion ... she needs to give it a rest.

twill

I do agree that Marcus is less inclined to showboating, and also less guilty of the facial churning. I could punch the lot of them when they start that up.

ebbsy

Yeah last week's winners were top notch and definite contenders.

twill

Sad to see Zoe go, but she was the one who was really struggling over both rounds. I don't think Wayne, Matt or Rich stand a serious chance of winning. Arnaud would have to up his game a bit too.

Dave_The_Sheep

twill wrote: »

Sad to see Zoe go, but she was the one who was really struggling over both rounds. I don't think Wayne, Matt or Rich stand a serious chance of winning. Arnaud would have to up his game a bit too.

I don't know, Wayne has a fair bit in his locker and I think he's been holding something back a little for the special occasion.

(I'm an episode behind admittedly, haven't seen the first semi - I think that was last night - so he might already be out!)

twill

It was nice to see the chefs at the restaurant services being able to motivate the chefs without being obnoxious. Crossing my fingers for Gary now, hope he gets through.

Dave_The_Sheep

Shows what i know. Wayne gone right after i said he could go far. That's what happens though when you serve some raw veg with tofu. Reminded me of that tomato salad from last year that yer man squeaked through on.

Really gutted for James. He probably got further than he should but he came across as bang on, and so enthusiastic. He did really well in that last round too but came up against Arnoud and Ellly in top form. Elly looks like a potential winner. Hope i haven't jinxed her now.

twill

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Really gutted for James. He probably got further than he should but he came across as bang on, and so enthusiastic. He did really well in that last round too but came up against Arnoud and Ellly in top form. Elly looks like a potential winner. Hope i haven't jinxed her now.

I'm sorry for Brenton, too, and surprised. I had thought it would be him, Arnaud, Elly and Gary in the final four. Matt was really lucky to get through given that his pastry wasn't done. You could see Brenton was feeling the pressure, though, and I think trying to set a posset in the amount of time they had was a really dodgy.

The standard is good this year. If Arnaud, Elly or Gary won, I'd be equally happy.

ebbsy

Standard in the final is very high. First guy with beard has nailed it.

twill

I'm thinking it might be hard to separate Gary and Elly - exciting!

Red Kev

ebbsy wrote: »

Standard in the final is very high. First guy with beard has nailed it.

I reckon Gary is going to win. He's been the best over the series.

Monica has the female cook down as favorite.

twill

Gary to win.

Dave_The_Sheep

I'm only starting to watch the final now, but I think Elly is starting off as the presumptive winner beforehand. She's been solidly very good all the way and i think she put herself in their heads as a winner long before now.

Would love if Gary won though.

Red Kev

Glad to see Gary win. Best chef all series and I thought he was the most impressive in Norway.

Nice to see him coming from the background of a college and not out of some Michelin restaurant.