MasterChef (UK) The Professionals S17E16-E18 (1080p, soft English subtitles)

The hunt for the next superstar chef. Professional cooks are put through their paces. Who will cope and who will crack?

E16
It’s the semi-finals. The past five weeks have seen the chefs whittled down to the best eight. Now, it's all about survival as they battle for a place in the last six. Limiting food waste should be at the forefront of every chef’s mind, so first up, the semi-finalists will be asked to create one dish which embraces either 'root-to-shoot' or 'nose-to-tail' eating. The professionals will choose one ingredient and serve it in as many innovative and exciting ways as they can, showing total respect for the produce selected. The judges will then pick the contestants worthy of going straight through to the next round, leaving the others to face an invention test that will have them cooking for their MasterChef lives. Each professional will need to pick a box, under which lies a mystery seafood ingredient. Using the larder to complement it, they will need to create a dish that showcases and celebrates that ingredient. The two who fail to hit the high notes will be sent home, leaving the rest with a one-in-six chance of becoming this year’s champion.

E17
The semi-finals are under way, and the six chefs left standing return for the chance to impress one of two rising culinary stars, before battling for a place in the final five. First up is a visit from groundbreaking chef Victor Garvey, a native New Yorker who has set today’s brief. Victor has worked to redefine modern American food from his Michelin-starred restaurant SoLa, in London. The dishes are inspired by his memories of growing up, and the main aim is to create familiar, but surprising, plates of food. Today, it’s down to the contestants to raid their memory banks and each deliver two bite-sized snacks that hit his standard. Not only that, their challenge will also be run as a restaurant service, with an hour to prep and cook, and 30 minutes to finesse and plate. This is no small feat. The theme of special memories continues into the next task. All six will need to deliver a dish that brings back thoughts of a special occasion. Inspiration can come from anywhere - the perfect Christmas, a romantic first date, a birthday lunch - but all that emotion must be represented in the plate of food they serve the judges. For one chef, the competition will be over, leaving just five still in with a shot at becoming MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2024.

E18
The semi-finals come to an end, with a stunning task that will require the five remaining chefs to draw on every reserve they can muster, if they hope to make it to finals week.
The five professionals are heading to Surrey, home to RHS Garden Wisley, which houses the headquarters of the Royal Horticultural Society, celebrating its 200th anniversary that day. In honour of this milestone, the five contestants will be asked to create a three-course menu, using produce from Wisley’s World Food Garden, which spans 3,700 square metres, and includes a stunning array of fruit, vegetables, herbs and edible plants from across the globe. Some proteins including rabbit and venison are also being provided, but everything on the plates must come together in perfect harmony. Amongst those dining today are three-time Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner Charlotte Harris and award-winning designer of Wisley’s World Food Garden Ann-Marie Powell. Hosting the celebrations is Helena Pettit, the RHS Director of Shows, Commercial and Innovation, so it’s crucial the contestants deliver a meal to remember. Next, it’s back to the MasterChef kitchen where the competition ramps up. The brief is simple - one dish that is inspired by someone close to the contestants. They might choose a mentor, a loved one, or a family member, but the dish must have heart, and be the perfect illustration of that bond. Then, it’s time for one of the toughest eliminations of the series, as a chef has to miss out on finals week. The successful four continue the adventure of a lifetime, which will see one of them crowned MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2024.


First broadcast: 2 December 2024    
Duration: 1 hour per episode    
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