Heat in the kitchen

BBC1, 8.30pm FOOD poisoning has just about been averted for another year for professional tasters John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

We are at the climax of the seven-week contest and an awfully long way from the raw chicken and lamb served up by amateurs at the start.

There have been other kitchen disasters too – custard ravioli and sweet potato chocolate mousse are concoctions that should never have seen the light of day. And, of course, there have been the usual soggy offerings that even a dog might turn its nose up at.

Giovanna, Steve and Saliha are the three finalists homing in on that trophy – and their culinary skills have reached an astonishing standard.

This week has been intense to say the least.

On Monday, they cooked for the US ambassador to the UK and his guests (sad to say there was not a Ferrero Rocher in sight).

On Wednesday, we saw the final four jet off to Cape Town to cook some traditional food in 40C heat, before Alison was eliminated and the final three took on the terrifying Chef ’s Table.

Tonight, they are back in the MasterChef kitchen where they John and Gregg have to pull out all the stops to demonstrate their skills in just three hours.

They must produce three exceptional courses and serve the judges awe-inspiring dishes.

Expect to see some flawlessly executed food, with mindblowing flavours (we’ll have to take their word for that one), and stunning presentation.

Hopefully, all without collapsing into a sweaty, panicked heap on the kitchen floor.

The stakes are high but who will go on to lift the trophy?