Master Chef final 12

[nimnarb]

Spoiler, don't open these links if you have yet to catch up on your viewing. Some serious contenders this year. Usually I spot them fairly quickly as one or two always stand out from the rest, but this year, not so easy. Being a foodie myself, just cannot watch these programs without having something to eat and a drink in my hand. For me, its better than watching a film.

Got it down to 5. Dean and Matthew, both calm, clean workstations. Laurence..consistent but with the look in his eye of steely determination. This lad wants to win. Sean, shown in one of the links. Very different. Mark, probably the youngest there, might surprise a few. Can't recall who the person was(in one of the links it states William but I'm not sure)who had the audacity to serve ice cream in a souffle, now those are serious and very risky skills.
Personally, I like Matthew, Laurence and Sean, but too early to call for the final three as they are all very accomplished. Any others been following this, know there are a few master chef followers here?


https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-ra ... t-week-bbc

https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/ ... kout-week/

[Rhyd6]

OH and I always watch Masterchef and the Great British Menu. Agree with your favourites this year. Some of the dishes have been amazing whilst others were somewhat hit and miss. The youngsters are certainly leading the field but I don't think any of them are as young as last years winner.
We have a nice bottle of red from the Duras region ready for Thursday night. We're out Tuesday and Wednesday so will have a catch up fest on Thurs.

R6

[simsqu]

Dean Matthew Laurence finalists. Dean to win. Also I like William, he of the fruit in everything savoury. Good character and I hope he goes far.

Great stuff as usual. Glad they dole out Fatso Greg in relatively small portions though. I suspect he could do with a few hours in the Sous Vide machine himself...

Apparently Marcus can't stand him. Probably just tittle tattle but I suspect it might be true. You can sometimes just see Marcus thinking "listen you great big fat odious noshing machine, do you think you could stop flapping your gums for one second? You're not funny, you're not clever, and quite frankly, you lower the whole tone." (sniff)

[Skotch]

Dean Matthew Laurence finalists. Dean to win. Also I like William, he of the fruit in everything savoury. Good character and I hope he goes far.

Great stuff as usual. Glad they dole out Fatso Greg in relatively small portions though. I suspect he could do with a few hours in the Sous Vide machine himself...

Apparently Marcus can't stand him. Probably just tittle tattle but I suspect it might be true. You can sometimes just see Marcus thinking "listen you great big fat odious noshing machine, do you think you could stop flapping your gums for one second? You're not funny, you're not clever, and quite frankly, you lower the whole tone." (sniff)

I call him the Fat Costermonger. No idea what hes talking about half the time - gurning idiot as far as I am concerned. Suspect he has no say in any of the decision making (at least I would hope not).

[nimnarb]

Spoilers below for those not yet caught up.............





The plates of food that I saw tonight really got me going..the hunger was just too much so I made a (perfect) chocolate souffle for 4 people. It didn't split, rose at least 2 inches and ate the lot, accompanied with dollops of fresh cream(plus brought in raspberry sorbet) and am applying for next years Master Chef, had 3 huge measures of antique hine with it as well and now feel right sick with one hell of a headache. But oh was it tasty whilst it lasted. Wife came in whilst preparing it all(hates souffle) and I told her to call me "Chef" for the night...she told me to sod off(words to that effect)
charming.................


Matthew to win................but its going to be tight. Dean, Laurence and Sean breathing down his neck............(what a shame about the french gal)

p.s. On second thoughts, don't think I will apply for Master Chef(they would throw me out), but what does it take to be a food critic? Can you imagine going to all these restaurants and eating(AND DRINKING) for free and being paid to do this? What a job. In another life perhaps.

[bionichamster]

Apparently Marcus can't stand him. Probably just tittle tattle but I suspect it might be true. You can sometimes just see Marcus thinking "listen you great big fat odious noshing machine, do you think you could stop flapping your gums for one second? You're not funny, you're not clever, and quite frankly, you lower the whole tone." (sniff)

I quite like him, he punctures some of the more pretentious airs of "fine dining cooking" when they treat the whole business as if it's of life or death importance that they cook someone's lunch and place a bit of turbot at some precise angle with three, and definitely not four, delicately balanced sustainably foraged 'micro herbs'. I see these chefs in their kitchens shouting away at staff because the mackerel has been charred in the wrong direction or something and think FFS it's just lunch, try being a nurse, a surgeon, a pilot or a fireman you jumped up tw*t.

Anyone who winds up Marcus gets points from me. I dislike the guy, I don't doubt he's a great chef but he is much more obviously biased than anyone else doing these shows. It was pretty clear he took a shine to Matthew straight off and a few episodes later this was confirmed to me by the fact that he just brushed aside that the guy utterly screwed up his cooking of the ox cheeks (i.e. he burned the reduction) and effectively laughed it off while he criticised other contestants for what I reckon were far more minor errors.
In contrast, when Marcus takes a dislike to you then your days are numbered, I recall the worst example was Great British Menu from five or six years back when Marcus in a judging capacity appeared to have some vendetta against another chef (Johnny Mountain) and decided to score him a 2 for a particular course and thus totally screwed the guys' chances in the remaining rounds. Mountain's course may of been poor, but a score of 6 or even 5 would have been embarrassing enough but still leave him an outside chance of recovery If he could score 10's in remaining rounds (although no chance of that with Waring's attitude to him, and Mountain knew it). In the end Mountain walked off the set, I don't blame him although it made him look a sore loser, but why stay to allow Wareing to continue to try and humiliate him. I was very disappointed when Wareing took on Masterchef, I'm still hoping he leaves.

BH

[nimnarb]

Anyone who winds up Marcus gets points from me. I dislike the guy, I don't doubt he's a great chef but he is much more obviously biased than anyone else doing these shows. It was pretty clear he took a shine to Matthew straight off and a few episodes later this was confirmed to me by the fact that he just brushed aside that the guy utterly screwed up his cooking of the ox cheeks (i.e. he burned the reduction) and effectively laughed it off while he criticised other contestants for what I reckon were far more minor errors.

Well, he absolutely ripped into him on the last 4 and didn't hold back. So something pissed him off with Matthew, possibly because his dish was so simple and yet why did he leave such an uncomplicated dish for last...

Well deserved winner though in Lawrence, was tight between him and Leo and yet the minute Marcus told him that he was the next generation, well Marcus had made up his mind who the winner was....managed to get 2 into the finals from the start but their food really shone out to begin with many episodes ago.

[bionichamster]

Well, he absolutely ripped into him on the last 4 and didn't hold back. So something pissed him off with Matthew, possibly because his dish was so simple and yet why did he leave such an uncomplicated dish for last...

Well deserved winner though in Lawrence, was tight between him and Leo and yet the minute Marcus told him that he was the next generation, well Marcus had made up his mind who the winner was....managed to get 2 into the finals from the start but their food really shone out to begin with many episodes ago.

Yeah weird, Marcus has been heaping praise almost without question on Matthew since the very first 'skills challenge' and then suddenly he hammers him at start of the home straight... Would have been happy for any of the last three to win.

BH

[simsqu]

Yeah weird, Marcus has been heaping praise almost without question on Matthew since the very first 'skills challenge' and then suddenly he hammers him at start of the home straight... Would have been happy for any of the last three to win.

BH

Until the semi Matthew hardly put a foot wrong. Marcus praised Matthew for rescuing what looked like a cremated oxcheek so good for him. However, Matthew's semi-final dish looked rubbish and Marcus told him so. I think he was Marcus' favourite but when he slipped up, he was out the door, so I think Marcus has been fair and consistent.

Matthew only had himself to blame but he was my favourite to win along with Dean, so I did NOT see that coming.

Laurence worthy winner.

I'm off to prepare the Christmas Lunch incorporating Pigs in Blankets three ways: that's a pig in a blanket, a pig without a blanket, and a pig lollipop cooked Sous Vide and finished with a courgette oil and a sprout air. Snorvey, can you oblige please?

[nimnarb]

https://pixabay.com/en/turkey-dinner-christmas-848495/

Marcus to Bran....your presentation leaves much to be desired.

To all here, may you all, like this bird, be wonderfully stuffed this Christmas. And Cheers!!

[PinkDalek]

To all here, may you all, like this bird, be wonderfully stuffed this Christmas. And Cheers!!

I always took you to be a bloke!

[PrincessB]

'm off to prepare the Christmas Lunch incorporating Pigs in Blankets three ways: that's a pig in a blanket, a pig without a blanket, and a pig lollipop cooked Sous Vide and finished with a courgette oil and a sprout air. Snorvey, can you oblige please?

I'm off to bed shortly - I would note I'm on holiday and the others are all working, so I get to stay up late and don't have to get them out of bed by pouring warm coffee down a funnel into them.

Following your advice, I'll start tomorrow with a lie in and a crispy blanket sandwich when I do get up.

I shall then venture out to get the Xmas presents and I have no idea whatsovever as to what to buy.

Shall start a new thread.

B.

PS, Dean would have won but was outclassed and repeated some ideas a few times.

[johnstevens77]

[PS, Dean would have won but was outclassed and repeated some ideas a few times.[/quote]

I just came across this thread, the Professional Masterchef is the only cookery program that I watch and I really thought that Dean was the leading contestant until the final. Agreed that he repeated some of his ideas but it was too close to call until the final cook off.
I too get inspiration from the contestants and also Monica and Marcus. Amongst other things, I cooked Marcus’ roast cauliflower but still prefer my cauliflower mornay. A couple or more years ago Monica had a veal brain in her skills test, I love both lamb and veal brains but when I went to my butcher, he said that they can’t get them back from the abattoir, but do they even ask I wonder? I haven't seen those in the UK since about 1968.Still available them in France though. Another thing that she had and that I adore are sea urchins but you never see those either, at least not in the UK. I last used those in Bahrain in 1994, imported from The Netherlands.

john

[nimnarb]

For those that missed it, yesterday on BBC2 Masterchef visited 5 previous chefs who reached the finals and invited them to compete against each other plus seeing how their careers had developed.

[dionaeamuscipula]

I just came across this thread, the Professional Masterchef is the only cookery program that I watch and I really thought that Dean was the leading contestant until the final. Agreed that he repeated some of his ideas but it was too close to call until the final cook off.
I too get inspiration from the contestants and also Monica and Marcus. Amongst other things, I cooked Marcus’ roast cauliflower but still prefer my cauliflower mornay. A couple or more years ago Monica had a veal brain in her skills test, I love both lamb and veal brains but when I went to my butcher, he said that they can’t get them back from the abattoir, but do they even ask I wonder? I haven't seen those in the UK since about 1968.Still available them in France though. Another thing that she had and that I adore are sea urchins but you never see those either, at least not in the UK. I last used those in Bahrain in 1994, imported from The Netherlands.

john

i believe there is a ban on the sale of spinal cord related items in the UK (including brains) because of BSE.

DM

[johnstevens77]

john[/quote]
i believe there is a ban on the sale of spinal cord related items in the UK (including brains) because of BSE.

DM[/quote]

That is what I thought as well, in which case how did Monica get hold of them? Has the ban been lifted? The last time I ate veal brain was in France 3 years ago. It came from a butcher in Arbois.

john

[kempiejon]

i believe there is a ban on the sale of spinal cord related items in the UK (including brains) because of BSE.

DM

I'm not sure about BSE and bans but isn't oxtail spinal chord related item and available in most meat outlets? I have previously looked for veal sweetbreads here https://www.finefoodspecialist.co.uk/ve ... ed-for-mon never used them though too dear, I found cheaper glands they list brains here https://www.finefoodspecialist.co.uk/veal-brain/ .[/quote]

[dionaeamuscipula]

i believe there is a ban on the sale of spinal cord related items in the UK (including brains) because of BSE.

DM

I'm not sure about BSE and bans but isn't oxtail spinal chord related item and available in most meat outlets?

Oxtail is not a BSE specified risk material. Cattle brains are; it appears to cover cattle >12 months only. I'm no expert though.

DM

[johnstevens77]

they list brains here https://www.finefoodspecialist.co.uk/veal-brain/ .[/quote][/quote]

At £40 per kg., I think I will give them a miss, can get fillet for less.

john