‘We’d been thinking about going to just a taster menu at evening service. ‘My sous Matt Willdigg kept the kitchen going while I was on the programme and I want to work with him and the team to progress. ‘I’ve fine tuned as a chef through the experience and now I want to focus on Hipping and the great team we have there. ‘I loved my experience, but I don’t want to only be remembered for this. Oli is rightly proud of his Masterchef experience but he is also pragmatic about his future. But there we all were as finalists, I couldn’t ask for more.’ ‘When I saw what those guys could do, I just didn’t think I’d make it past the first step. ‘I’m so lucky to have met such a nice bunch of lads. ‘The supper clubs were selling out in 12 hours, that’s faster than a Take That ticket,’ said Oli. Oli will be doing a solo event in his home town at The Deacon, Lytham, on March 11th and has jointly hosted an evening with Tom Parker, head chef at Fence’s Michelin star White Swan.
The group are also hosting a series of supper clubs across the country. The friendships the finalists formed weren’t just for the cameras – all four will be attending baby India’s christening this month. ‘He’ll have India chewing on sea buckthorn,’ she jokes. India, now six months old, watches her dad adoringly while fiancee Julia beams with pride at Oli’s achievements. Oli is the picture of happiness at home in Lytham. Then for me to get brilliant feedback was wonderful.’ We just all got on with it and had a really fun time doing it. The Chef’s Table was just phenomenal, not just because we were cooking for so many amazing chefs but also working as a team. ‘There were so many brilliant times for me. I was desperate to hear what he had to say as I knew it had been a big risk to take. ‘You don’t see it on the programme but Marcus takes his time critiquing your dishes without saying whether he likes it or not. ‘That was a real highlight for me,’ said Oli. He was called a genius by Gregg and a nutter by Monica and it became one of the series’ most memorable moments. One of his dishes – a dessert version of spaghetti bolognese – not only raised the eyebrows of Marcus and fellow judges Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace, it also brought him some of the best comments. 10 5 of the best January walks in the Peak District.8 8 great family walks in the North West.7 6 of the best January walks in Lancashire.6 Cheshire walk - Astbury, Little Moreton Hall and Brownlow Heath.5 Cheshire walk - Audlem and the Shrophire Union Canal.4 Everything you need to know about Sarah Beeny's move to Somerset.3 Win a relaxing spa stay for two at The QHotels Collection.2 6 of the best January walks in Cheshire.
1 We must rewild ourselves, says TV bushcraft star Ray Mears.The other pair must take on Galetti’s challenge, which involves cooking monkfish with a pea and bacon ragout. In the first episode, two contestants must prepare the British classic bangers and mash alongside a beer and onion gravy at the behest of Wareing. The four chefs in each eat must first tackle the infamous skills test, a gruelling 20-minute challenge completed while being scrutinised by the stone-faced Galetti and Wareing. Lauren, Dan, Dario and Nico are the first four chefs to appear on MasterChef: The Professionals (Photo: BBC) How does MasterChef: the Professionals work? What we do know is that the first four contestants to enter the culinary hot seat are Lauren, Dan, Dario and Nico, and you can see them all below. They introduced in eight heats of four, and their identities (apart from their first names) are kept a closely guarded secret by the BBC before they appear. Just like last year’s series, in total there are 32 chefs entering the kitchen for MasterChef: the Professionals.
Wareing, Wallace and Galetti have fronted MasterChef: The Professionals since 2014 (Photo: BBC) How many chefs are in the MasterChef: the Professionals cast? This splitting of the first heat looks set to continue each Monday, with four episodes a week for the first four weeks and the series spanning 22 instalments in total.