Celebs step up to the hotplate
The heat is on as Celebrity MasterChef returns. We take a look at who is cooking up a storm this year
IT’S always a TV treat when Gregg Wallace and John Torode welcome a new group of celebrities into the MasterChef kitchen.
Over the past 15 years we’ve seen some exceptional cooking from the winners. There’s been a brace of rugby players in Matt Dawson and Phil Vickery, while EastEnders seems to have a recipe for success, with former stars Nadia Sawalha, Sophie Thompson and Lisa Faulkner all lifting the trophy.
So what lies in store for this year’s recruits, who include actors Joe Swash and Michelle Collins, Strictly dancer Johannes Radebe, TV presenter Melanie Sykes, reality TV star Megan McKenna and model Katie Price?
The first group of five celebrities taking on this year’s culinary challenge are actors Su Pollard and Rita Simons, Duncan James from pop band Blue, Happy Mondays legend Bez and comedian Munya Chawawa.
They are not going to be eased in gently as their first challenge is a new addition to the show, Under the Cloche.
Each celebrity will be given a cloche, which they will lift up to reveal a different ingredient.
With access to the MasterChef larder, they must then think on their feet and whip up a dish that showcases the foodstuff they have been given.
The new tasks don’t stop there, as next up is the Street Food Challenge. The celebrities are presented with a popular street food, in this case Danish favourite Frikadeller with red cabbage and apples.
Su, Bez and co must taste it to try to identify the ingredients, before having a go at cooking the classic national dish themselves, following their instincts rather than a recipe.
At least the final challenge of the episode should find them on slightly more familiar ground as they are given an hour to prepare their Dinner Party Dish.
But who will convince the judges to come dine with them, and who will be going home?
The contest continues on Tuesday, with a Knowledge and Skills test, as the celebrities have to prove their culinary knowhow by identifying four types of cheese and rustling up a classic pasta carbonara.
In pre-pandemic times, they would have also been sent to work with a professional chef in a restaurant kitchen, but this year the chefs are coming to them, starting with Nisha Katona, who asks them to cook an Indian recipe from her menu. Someone will get the chop at the end of the episode.
Then on Friday, the three remaining celebrities must cook a twocourse meal for John and Gregg, and three former Celebrity MasterChef Champions; reigning champ Riyadh Khalaf, former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and TV presenter Angellica Bell. Only the best two will make it through to the semi-finals stage and a shot at the coveted title.
We caught up with two of this year’s contestants to find out more...
JOHANNES RADEBE
Why did you want to do Celebrity MasterChef?
I wanted to challenge myself. I can’t say I was the biggest fan of the show but you know who are the biggest fans of MasterChef? My entire family. I knew if I had missed out on this opportunity, they would come for me.
Going into the studio, I remember thinking, “I’m Johannes, from one of the smallest townships [in South Africa], walking through the MasterChef doors in the United Kingdom”.
I was overwhelmed and proud. And nervous.
What did you make of John Torode and Gregg Wallace?
I wouldn’t have survived the competition if it wasn’t for their tips.
When I was given liver and kidneys for my first challenge and had to make a dish, I was petrified – I’d never cooked them before.
John said: “It’s meat, isn’t it? How would you cook meat?”
And I was like, “Oh, OK. It’s not rocket science.”
Were you a good cook before?
As a South African boy, you never come near the stove.
I learned how to cook when I was navigating my way around the world as a dancer.
I’ll make myself a vegetable roast or chicken and a few South African dishes like chakalaka [a kind of spicy tomato bean relish].
SU POLLARD
Are you any good at cooking, Su?
I put things in the oven but I don’t cook and that’s because when I first started my career, I did a lot of touring.
When you’ve done a matinee and a show in the evening, the last thing you want to do is start cooking.
When they asked me to do MasterChef, I thought, “Su, you’re getting on, you need to do some sort of cooking before you’re 75”.
I will say, though, I have only ever eaten two ready meals in my life. I don’t cook, but I love eating good food.
How did it go on MasterChef?
I won’t give too much away but you know it was stressful.
Gregg and John don’t hide their displeasure when they are walking around.
John would look at me as if to say, “What the b****y hell is that?”
It was a bit intimidating but I learned so much.
Are you going to cook more now?
Yes. I have bought myself some measuring spoons, some scales, a frying pan and a stopwatch.
I drew the line at a mixer, because I don’t know how to use one and would be terrified it would explode out all over the kitchen.
I am about to host my secondever dinner party.
I’m going to do one of the dishes I did on the show.
■ Celebrity MasterChef starts on BBC1, tomorrow at 9pm ■ Words: Tricia Martin, Sally Brockway, Vicki Power