WITH the end of the competition approaching, the semi-finalists in this season’s MasterChef will each battle to win the crow.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace will decide who will make it to the finals.
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Who is in the semi finals?
Thomas – semi-finalist
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Thomas is a 60-year-old interior designer from Windsor.
He gets his cooking inspiration from all-over.
He said: “I’ve lived in seven different countries in my life: Singapore; UK, USA; Holland; Germany; Hong Kong and China. What I cook is an eclectic mix of these experiences.”
Speaking about his decision to join the competition, he said: “I recently turned 60 and now it is about ticking off things from my bucket list – MasterChef is top of that list.
“I’ve cooked all my life but now want to take it to that next level.”
Radha – semi-finalist
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Radha is a 23-year-old Law graduate.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “Drawing on my dual Indian-British heritage, my style combines Indian cuisine with Western adaptations.
“I also love pairing my food with cocktails! I love to recreate classic British desserts as they remind me of the puddings I ate at boarding school.
“I’ve been a vegetarian for the majority of my life, so this inspires me to cook with plant-based products, elevating a humble vegetable and giving it a spicy twist by pairing it with flavours of my Indian heritage.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, she said: “Although I’ve just finished a law degree, my heart lies in food.
“I only started cooking during lockdown as a means to alleviate some of the stress from my final exams at university.
“MasterChef is my programme of choice as it brings back fond memories each year when I look forward to watching the latest series on TV.
“So being on MasterChef was a dream come true.”
James – semi-finalist
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James is a 38-year-old PGA Golf Professional from Kent.
James describes his cooking style as: “British homely dishes, but I love learning new dishes.”
He adds: “I mainly cook for my family, which includes two young children. I like it when we get a chance to eat as a family and I love making food fun for the kids. Masking different pastas, pizzas or baking some sweet treats is something they love getting involved with.”
Farokh – semi-finalist
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Farokh is a 36-year-old Drama Lecturer from East London.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “My style of food is experimental European with minimal presentation and hints of flavours from all around the world – particularly Persian and Iranian ingredients and aromas.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, he said: “I wanted to see if people whose job it is to think about food would like my cooking.”
Sarah – semi-finalist
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Mum-of-two Sarah is a marketing consultant from Kinross in Scotland.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “Both my mother and grandmother are great cooks.
“My mum was the one who taught me how to cook initially and my grandmother was a great baker and made the best homemade chips!
“I feel like they both still inspire the dishes I cook today in their own way.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Sarah said: “I have wanted to do MasterChef for years, but I have an absolute fear of failure so that’s always held me back.
“There comes a point where you have to take a risk, so I bit the bullet and applied.”
Ioan – semi-finalist
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Ioan is a 38-year-old marketing manager with a passion for cooking.
He was raised in North Wales and currently lives with his boyfriend in Salford.
Ioan shared: “I am originally from a farming family and community, raised in the countryside and surrounded with an abundance of fresh produce.
“This has made me passionate about the produce I use and I understand and respect its origins.
“I am a keen traveller and look for inspiration from new produce, cultures and experiences from around the world.”
When asked why he joined the MasterChef competition, Ioan expressed: “MasterChef has always been a dream of mine. I have avidly watched it over several years, always thinking ‘I will apply … one day’ – and here I am, I finally plucked up the courage!
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I want to demonstrate my passion, my ability to grow as a cook and most importantly I want to have fun. I am so excited being part of the MasterChef competition this year!”
Holly – semi-finalist
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Holly is a 29-year-old theatre director from Poole in Dorset.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “My style of cooking is fairly undefined in a way. I basically cook what I like and it’s quite varied! I love cooking Asian fusion and also dishes inspired by my travels. I do love to add a bit of drama to my dishes. Food can be fun as well, right?
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Holly said: “I think during lockdown I had the time to up my cooking game.
“I felt I was finally at a level that could compete, so wanted to give it a go.”
Pookie – semi-finalist
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Pookie, 45, is a Beauty Salon Owner from Solihull.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “I was born in Bangkok and grew up in Thailand.
“I am Thai with Chinese heritage and although this has a huge influence on my cooking, I don’t limit myself to Thai-Chinese food.
“I like cooking international foods but love introducing my own style with all the foods I’ve cooked.
“Most of all I want my food to be flavoursome, delicious, fun and put a smile on people’s faces.
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Pookie said: “Friends had often encouraged me, saying my style is very unique and finally my husband made me apply.
“I’d never really thought I was good enough to enter a competition such as that, but one day I just decided to go for it.
“I’m not super competitive but I love cooking, so I will give it a go, have fun and who knows how far it will take me! I’d like to show the world my Pookie Style.”
Eddie – semi-finalist
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Eddie, 30, is a marine pilot who lives in Beverley, Yorkshire
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “Travels to France during childhood holidays have inspired my love for the classic regional dishes of France.
“My Indian heritage also plays a huge part in my cooking style. I love to cook the Punjabi dishes I grew up eating with my family.
“But my real passion is the great Mughlai cuisine: the historic royal dishes of Old Delhi, Lucknow and Hyderabad. I also love to combine classic techniques with Indian flavours, creating my own fusion.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Eddie said: “I sat watching the show for years telling myself to apply; the chance to push myself in what I truly enjoy doing!
“I want to cook beyond my friends and family and go up in front of John and Gregg to see what I can really do.
“I feel that now I’m ready to give it everything. I know it’s going to be a tough competition but I’m ready to give it my best shot and see where it takes me, but above all, have fun cooking my food!”
Who is in the MasterChef 2022 line-up?
The MasterChef 2022 line-up is made up of 45 passionate and talented hopefuls.
They come from all walks of life including an NHS worker, theatre director, beer bike tour guide, childcare worker, bank manager and retired head teacher.
They are split into five groups of nine amateur cooks.
The fifth batch of chefs have been released, and they are going head to head in week five.
Week Five
Amedeo – eliminated
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Amedeo, 32, is a Senior Marine Officer from Lowestoft.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I love cooking traditional Italian food from my hometown of Naples.
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, he said: “I love the sea and am passionate about fishing and cooking fish.
“I’d love to showcase this on MasterChef.”
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Angela – eliminated
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Angela, 31, is a Childcare worker from Yorkshire.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “I’m a rustic home-cook whose aim is to make engaging food for children.
“I’m passionate about nature and love to bring in my own botanical twists to my cooking, using ingredients you wouldn’t find in a supermarket.
“I forage with my girls and this inspires what I cook. There is nothing better than picking something in a forest and cooking in the wild.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, she said: “I want to show my girls that it’s okay to like different things, and be a bit different.
“You have to be proud of who you are and I want them to see that it’s okay to fail as long as you try.”
Dean – eliminated
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Dean, 41, is a Multiple Sclerosis campaigner from Edinburgh.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I’d describe myself as a rustic British cook.
“I get loads of inspiration from watching YouTube cooking videos and also from going to the butchers and finding out about what different cuts of meat they have.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, he said: “Over lockdown the kids and I would cook together all the time.
“It’s a real special moment in our house when we are all in the kitchen together, having fun, trying new things and bonding over the meals we make. I want to make my family proud.
“I have MS and since the moment I was diagnosed I’ve tried to push myself out of my comfort zone.
“I am very determined to show my kids not to give up and to keep fighting.”
Hannah – eliminated
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Hannah is a 27-year-old from London.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “I love to cook food from all over the world and I often dishes I’ve grown up eating and refining them or adding a bit of a risky twist.
“I’m a feeder and love cooking huge sharing-style feasts for friends and family.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, she said: “I’m a die-hard MasterChef fan! I’ve watched MasterChef since the Lloyd Grossman days.
“It’s the highlight of my week when it’s on TV. For some reason I’d always put off applying, but after a couple of years of family and friends nagging, I finally took the plunge.”
Mark – eliminated
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Mark, 34, is and Accountant from London.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I’d say my style is eclectic, but I’m always inspired by my travels and Filipino roots most especially my mum.
“I like to incorporate this with European and modern style of cooking. My husband is British and his family are traditional cooks, so that has influenced my style too.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, he said: “I moved to the UK in 2012 and have watched MasterChef since then.
“It’s been a huge influence on my cooking and to go on there and cook my food for the judges is mind-blowing.”
Martin – eliminated
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Martin, 50 is a Vintage clothing wholesaler from Birmingham
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I’m half Jamaican so I love cooking food from this side of my heritage but also from all over the world.
“I love cooking good, hearty food that the whole family can enjoy.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, he said: “Cooking is a way to people’s hearts. I remember the first meal I cooked my wife when we started dating.
“It won her over and we’ve been married for 15 years now. If I can win the judges over with my food as well, that would be incredible.”
Zizi – eliminated
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Zizi, 56, is a IT business analyst from Oxfordshire.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “I’d say my style champions my Mauritian roots and also my vegetarian diet.
“I love using spice and try to pack as much flavour as I can into hearty dishes.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, she said: “I love the social side of cooking – bringing people together with food, sharing stories and talking about the dishes.
“I’m a feeder! To enter a competition where it’s all centred about food and people is incredible and I feel so proud to have this opportunity.”
Week Four
Bhavina – eliminated
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Bhavina is a 31-year-old from Birmingham, but now lives in London and is head of a marketing firm.
She grew up in a big family, with her mum cooking Gujurati (North West Indian) dishes.
She likes to cook traditional reciplies, but also create her own take on them, “Indian food with a twist I guess you could say,” she said.
Talking about her decision to go on the show, she revealed: “I feel like I’ve found my path with my career and have become established in what I’m doing. I just want to push myself really, a little out of my comfort zone in some ways.”
Carly – eliminated
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Caryl is a 34-year-old dental nurse from Sheffield.
As a mum-of-five she struggled to make time for herself.
But as they are older, she believes now is her perfect chance to enter the competition.
Speaking about her style of cooking, she said: “I’d say my style of cooking is intuitive. I don’t really follow recipes, I just go with the flow and cook by eye and taste.
“I love good hearty British food for everyday cooking but then often try something new if it’s a special occasion.”
Evy – eliminated
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Evy is a 35-year-old artist from Surrey.
She grew up in Poland in a small town called Tomaszow Mazowiecki.
She studied architecture for a year in Spain before moving to London in 2006.
Speaking about her decision to be on the show, she said: “I gave up my career as an architect to be a full-time mum. Now the children are a little older it’s time to do something for me.”
Jamahl – eliminated
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Jamahl is a 27-year-old recruitment consultant from London.
His Caribbean roots are what inspire him to cook, but he also loves to show that you can mix it with other cuisines.
Speaking about his decision to join the show, he said: “The greatest thing about food for me is seeing how it brings people together.
“My friends and family all love eating my food so I want to see if the judges do too.”
Meg – eliminated
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Meg is a 24-year-old radio producer from Manchester.
She grew up in Preston and went to Newcastle University.
Meg is hoping to inspire the judges with her vegan dishes.
She said: “I’m vegan, so I love to experiment with all sorts of vegan dishes.
“Having fun with my food is really important. For me it’s about sharing delicious food with my friends. I love using spices and never compromise on flavour with my dishes.”
Oli – eliminated
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Oli is a 31-year-old wine merchant from London.
Oli comes from an Italian background so his roots are established in Southern Mediterranean food.
Talking about his decision to join the show, he said: “I work in the wine industry so whilst I don’t work directly with food, I do work indirectly with it in many ways, wine pairings, the world of restaurants.
“It’s my day job but I love it and I food and cooking is a natural progression from this.
“I want to now see if I can bring the two things together and take it to that next level.”
Vanessa – eliminated
Vanessa is a 28-year-old credit controller from London.
She wants to give Caribbean food the recognition it deserves.
She says: “My parents are Jamaican, my grandma was born in Costa Rica, and I have other relatives from South America and Asia, which influence and inspire what I cook.
“Those are my main food inspirations, along with the places I’ve travelled to.”
Week Three
Daryll – eliminated
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Daryll is a 60-year-old stockbroker from London.
He grew up in Marlow, Buckinghamshire then moved to London when he was 20.
The keen chef is a husband with a daughter and two step-daughters.
On discussing his food inspiration Daryll shared: “I love cooking traditional comfort foods – British and French classics with my own twist. I will often cook the same dish in order to perfect it. You can say my curries are never the same!”
He also added: “I’ve always wanted to do MasterChef, but never felt like I had the time. I’m now 60 so if I don’t do it now, when?”
Ibz – eliminated
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Ibz is a 23-year-old chef from London who works as a retail supervisor.
He grew up in Brixton, South London and shared he has family all over the globe including areas such as Birmingham and Guyana.
He lives with his parents and eight younger siblings – four brothers and four sisters.
When asked his food inspiration Ibz shared: “My West Indian Guyanese and Jamaican heritage is the main source of my inspiration. Many of the dishes from Guyana and Jamaica have a deep-rooted history.
“Every dish from Oxtail and Curry Goat to Guyanese Vegetable Choka has a beautiful and sometimes even dark story, but I feel like it deserves to be celebrated and elevated to level that maybe French or Italian cuisine is seen at.”
On joining the MasterChef competition he added: “I’ve watched MasterChef and the main thing that I love is seeing was watching how home cooks grow and blossom into these amazing cooks.
“I saw it as amazing chance for me to immerse myself in an environment where I could also learn something about myself as well as do something I’m truly passionate about.”
Jan-Paul – eliminated
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Jan-Paul is a 34-year-old fashion sales executive with a talent for cooking.
The amateur cook shared how he was raised in London but lived in Manila, Philippines, for a few years during his 20s.
He shared: “I have so many influences. My parents emigrated to the UK in the late 1970s from the Philippines, so I grew up on Filipino food as well as Western food at home.
“My late father was also a waiter at a Japanese restaurant in Mayfair, and as a family we would often go out for Japanese or Chinese meals too.
“More recently my older brother has moved to Italy and I have visited around two to three times a year. My cooking is a melting pot of all these influences.”
He also added: “I’ve watched cooking shows for so many years and I’ve always wanted to be that guy cooking on the TV. Now is my chance!”
Johnny – eliminated
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Johnny is a 40-year-old customer service manager from Wolverhampton.
He was born in Birmingham but said he spent most of his childhood living in Walsall in the West Midlands.
He now lives in a village called Tettenhall in Wolverhampton with his wife and son.
Johnny shared: “Whilst I do get inspiration from my Indian heritage, I love cooking quite classical French dishes most of the time.”
He also added: “I want to make my son proud. My focus is being the best dad I can and I’d love to show him that I gave it a go.”
Michaela – eliminated
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Michaela is a 27-year-old market research director from London.
She grew up in Enfield and has lived in North London with her boyfriend for the past two years.
Michaela shared: “Coming from a Jewish household, a culture of communal cooking and eating has characterised my upbringing.
“Food sits as a centre point of all my family events whether that be Friday night dinner, Jewish festivals, or visiting restaurants for special occasions.
“I cook dishes from these experiences but also love to try new dishes inspired by other cultures and cuisines.”
When asked why she joined the competition Michaela shared: “I have watched MasterChef for as long as I can remember and have always been amazed at the contestants.
“The possibility of John and Gregg, as well as food critics and ex-contestants, tasting my food and giving feedback was too exciting to not apply.”
Nazya – eliminated
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Nazya is a 42-year-old NHS worker from Bolton.
She lives with her three daughters and explained she grew up in Pakistan before moving to England 10 years ago.
The chef shared: “I take inspiration from the cuisine of my heritage (Karachi, Pakistan), and love using recipes that have been in my family for years, but then like to add my add twist to them by incorporating different cuisine’s ideas.”
When asked to explain her motivation behind joining the MasterChef competition she explained: “I want to show my girls and all the women that no dream is too big, and that you never know unless you give things a try.”
Sonu – eliminated
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Sonu is a 46-year-old homemaker from West London.
She was born and raised in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India and migrated to the UK after getting married at the age of 25.
The chef has one son called Maanav aged nine and a daughter called Shanaya who is four.
Sonu shared: “Gujurati food is a huge part of my cooking but I also love to cook European dishes too. I’m vegetarian but cook lots of meat dishes for my friends and family – a whole range really.”
On joining the show she added: “Being deaf has been a struggle at points and cooking has always been there as my way of relaxing.
“I now feel ready to show that being deaf doesn’t mean I have limited options, or I can’t have a go at the competition and I feel ready to give it my best shot.”
Week Two
Ally – eliminated
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Property Solicitor Ally, 28, hails from Edinburgh.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I love fresh ingredients and seasonal produce.
“If I had to define my style of cooking, it would be classical, or modern European, however I am an adventurous cook and like to cook all types of cuisines.
“My main cooking inspiration when I was younger was my granny in Fife. I remember baking with her when I was little and have learnt so much from her over the years.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Ally said: “I entered the competition because quite simply I love cooking.
“I have been a fan of the show for as long as I can remember and have been prompted to apply by friends and family for many years.
“It is, in my view, one of the most well-known brands in the culinary world.
“I really wanted to test myself in a high-pressure environment, and meet other like-minded home cooks who are as obsessed with food as I am.”
Has – eliminated
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Police Officer Has, 38, is from London.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “As a Cypriot, I love to cook authentic dishes from Cyprus, but also branches out and fuse different cuisines together.
“I enjoy barbecuing and have three different barbecues at home! So when it comes to deciding what to cook, I draw upon all of these things.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Has said: “Cooking has always been my way of relaxing from a pretty stressful and serious job.
“My friends all tell me my food has the wow factor, so it’s time to really put it to the test in front of the judges.”
Joanna – eliminated
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Joanna is a 28-year-old social media manager who lives in London.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “I’ll always try something new and creative but Greek food obviously has a special place in my heart.
“I love taking recipes passed down from generations and putting a modern spin on them.
“I don’t like taking things too seriously when I’m the kitchen, because it’s all about having fun.
“But I have a passion for refinement and making things look pretty.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Joanna said: “My friends and family have been telling me for years to enter.
“I always wanted to and never felt that my food was anywhere near ‘that level’.
“But throughout lockdown, by really taking the time to get creative in the kitchen, I felt the urge to go out of my comfort zone and test myself on the highest scale.
“I know I can cook. It’s just a case of how well now and handling the pressure of that kitchen.”
Leon – eliminated
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Leon, 35, is a Bank Manager who hails from Swansea.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I’d say my style is a mixture of street food and fusion.
“I love researching different cuisines and having a go at cooking them myself with my own twist.
“I’m inspired by the food I grew up eating and also the food my family loves me to cook.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Leon said: “I’ve watched MasterChef for a long time and every year I’m sat there being a third judge!
“Whenever I cook for family and friends the feedback is always good – not just the polite friend feedback – honest good plate-licking feedback.
“After lockdown and the loss of my father I thought ‘why not enter now?’.”
Niall – eliminated
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Niall, 57, is a retired head teacher from Belfast.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I would describe my food as ‘Hearty Irish Fair’ but that it also draws influence from my time spent in Italy.
“I love using herbs and spices and championing what I think is the best seafood in the world from Northern Ireland.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Niall said: “I’ve been wanting to do MasterChef for YEARS! If not now, when?
“You have to go for opportunities and make the most of them.”
Stephanie – eliminated
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Stephanie, 36, is a social care partner from Luton.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “My mum, who is of Dominican descent, my sister, and my grandparents have all been huge influences on my cooking.
“My father as well, who is Jamaican, loves food from his home country.
“We love spices in our food! So I take inspiration from my heritage but also just love to try and make different foods that I love and try to make them look pretty on a plate.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Stephanie said: “My friends and family have been telling me for years to enter, they are always telling me how tasty my food is.
“It’s time I started to believe in myself and give this a go.”
Tigi – eliminated
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Tigi, 46, is an insurance broker from Surrey.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I love to cook what I grew up with – West African dishes.
“I started cooking from a very young age, being in the kitchen with my mum when she cooked, and then later on, my older brother took over the teaching, giving me the basic skills I needed as I was growing up.
“Since then, I’ve just kept learning really and developing more over the years.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Tigi said: “I want to show my two girls that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
“I’ve been watching MasterChef for so long now, it was about time I put my money where my mouth is.”
Week One
Clive – eliminated
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Married dad-of-three Clive, 50, is a school facilities manager who hails from Chafford Hundred, near Grays.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I predominantly focus on Caribbean cooking but am happy to try my hand at everything, including Thai, Italian and Chinese cuisine.
“I take inspiration from my family, and the food I ate as a child but also where I have travelled to as an adult.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Clive said: “I’d love to be able to elevate Caribbean cooking and bring it into a fine dining setting. This is what I hope I can show in the competition.”
Haylee – eliminated
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Haylee hails from London and is a 29-year-old events manager.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “My mum is Finnish, my dad’s family is Jamaican and I grew up in the UK so I am a Fimaican!
“My cooking is a combination of my heritage. I love the big bold flavours of Caribbean food but also the lighter touches of Nordic dishes.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Haylee said: “I’ve always wanted to work in the food industry and competing in MasterChef is a way to see if that can become a reality.
“It’s a test of my skills and a test of how I handle the pressure.“
Laura – eliminated
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Mum-of-two Laura, 32 lives in Bath and is a politics student.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “My big passion is Sri Lankan soul food.
“My mum is Sri Lankan and is a wonderful cook. I love recreating the dishes I grew up eating and those I’ve tried whilst visiting family in Sri Lanka.
“I have a 110 year old cookbook that has been passed down in my family so I love working my way through that.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Laura said: “Having been a single mum for a few years now, I wanted to finally do something for myself.
“Cooking for my friends became a weekly tradition. My friend encouraged me to send in the application and I ended up here!”
Lisa – eliminated
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Lisa, 39 is a cleaning business owner from Glasgow
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “I’d say I’m quite a classical cook.
“I like cooking hearty dishes but in a fine dining way. I particularly love cooking with game, taking inspiration from the amazing Scottish produce I’m surrounded by.
“And any opportunity to make burgers and barbecue, I take it.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Lisa said: “I guess I’m looking for that confidence boost and validation of my cooking.
“I’d also love to make my wife and my children proud, that really would be awesome.”
Paul – eliminated
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Paul is a builder and former police officer from Dorset.
Speaking about his food inspiration, the 53-year-old told the BBC: “I love cooking a whole range of dishes from all over the world, and also traditional British dishes, all with the focus of packing a punch with flavour.
“Living on the coast I cook a lot of seafood and I also take massive pride in making really good sauces.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Paul said: “I entered the competition because quite simply I love cooking.
“It is a real hobby of mine and I find it a stress-reliever to cook, and to be creative and inventive with meals at home.
“Plus, I always think my home cooking is better than going out to a restaurant!”
Rachel – eliminated
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Rachel, 22, is a beer bike tour guide from Belfast.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “I love using interesting ingredients.
“My dad once drove 80 miles to drop off some fresh nettles from his garden for me to cook with!
“My nana was a baker by trade and my mum is a fantastic cook. My fiancé’s mother was a chef in her younger years and she was definitely my main inspiration to cook.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Rachel said: “I thought I would enter MasterChef as a personal challenge to test my limits and to prove to myself that I could actually cook.
“I never thought I would get on the show and to even have the chance to cook for John and Gregg is such an achievement, especially at my age.”
Rishi – eliminated
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Rishi is a 26-year-old dentist from Harrow.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I’ve been a vegetarian all my life and really want to showcase the potential that vegetarian and vegan food really has, especially with a fusion of pan-Asian flavours.
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Rishi said: “I was running a food blog as a passion project and creative outlet, it then proceeded to take off during lockdown.
“I want to see if I’ve really got what it takes to compete at the highest level with my cooking. I want to showcase the food and flavours that I love as I feel like I have a unique style of cooking, which is heavily based on fusion flavours.
“Vegetarian food has always seemed like an afterthought in most restaurants with very little creativity or versatility, as well as limited options.
“I would love to see vegetarian food represented to its full potential on TV and I’d like to see if I can change that.”
When is MasterChef on TV?
MasterChef continues TONIGHT (Thursday, April 28, 2022) at 8pm on BBC One.
There is a whopping 24 episodes in the series.
The show is playing out over seven weeks, and there are three episodes a week.
Past episodes can be watched on the BBC iPlayer.
