Making a meal of it
WBBC1, 9pm
ATCHING a professional chef at work is just something else. Mushroom duxelle tortellini? In 25 minutes? No problem. Skillfully fillet a fish? Whip up a mayonnaise in minutes? No sweat.
These pros can chop an onion at the speed of light and the words foam and fondant don’t terrify them.
But even the cream of the crop can get the jitters in front of steely-gazed Monica Galetti and Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing, who gives off General
Zod supervillain vibes.
Gregg Wallace tries to lighten the mood as the tension rises and chefs begin to panic.
Over six week, 32 pro chefs will try to win the revered title of Masterchef: The Professionals
Champion 2020.
Tonight’s heat sees the first four put through their paces with two daunting challenges, after which only two will make it through to this week’s quarter final.
Two face Monica’s skills test – a mushroom tortellini, filled with mushroom duxelles and served with a sauce of their choice.
The remaining two are challenged with Marcus’s test – a devilled, butterflied mackerel with herb flavoured mayo and a cucumber and fennel salad.
There are shaky hands as fish bones are removed, pasta dough is stretched and mushrooms are sliced as the time ticks.
Finally, all four chefs have the chance to redeem any mistakes when they cook their own signature main and dessert courses for the judges.
This is their chance to shine, but only two will make it.
Continues tomorrow and Thursday.