Ahead of this week’s final episodes (culminating on Friday), five semi-finalists remain in the race to be someone who can, er, then go on to launch a cookbook. And probably a restaurant. If they are very, very lucky. Cautionary note to all the contestants: the cookbook from last year’s winner Ping Coombes is not out until May 2016. MasterChef is a whirlwind – but real life is a slow burn.
It has been a cracking series. I am still missing Man Mountain Robert, the one who crossed swords with John Torode in last week’s taste test. When Robert served his sauce on the side in the smoked quail copycat dish, John looked like he would smoke him alive. Instead the judge did something much worse: knocked Man Mountain out of the competition. Meanwhile, anyone with a pulse (so not Sarah’s pig’s ear) should harbour a twinge of nostalgia for Beth: the 23-year-old graduate from Swansea tried hard but nothing could save her from the aridity of her rabbit pie, finished though it was with the cutest pastry bunny ears ever. It’s cruel, but no-one misses Sarah’s oeufs en cocotte.
So the also-rans are gone. And now it’s time to see who has the necessary skills, nerve and exoticism-combined-with-authenticity to win the prize. What’s the prize, I hear you ask? There actually isn’t one. This is the BBC, you know.
The One with a Moustache: Tony
Recruitment consultant Tony has stood out since the beginning, but not for the right reasons. From Twitter: “This guy looks like something out of Guess Who?” He seemed as if he was all style over substance for a while, then suddenly came into his own in the face of the Red Arrows, knocking out five plum tartes Tatins as if they were slices of toast. And then he made a golden cherry! His energy, creativity and commitment to sugarcraft mark him out as a contender for the top three. But can a master chocolatier really be MasterChef?
Goody Two-Shoes: Simon
Mr Flavour. Has Simon put a foot wrong in this competition? Barely. Clear-eyed, determined and quietly charming, he showed nerves of steel and fantastic leadership skills in the Red Arrows test. He has to be in the top three. Unless he’s just too obvious a choice? Is he maybe a bit too perfect? If his rivals up their game, he needs to surprise us to secure the title.
The One Who Does all the Middle Eastern Cooking: Emma
Emma doesn’t always get the set-piece tests right but when she’s left to her own devices, she cooks up a storm. Both John and Greg are fond of her. John: “She has stirred my emotion and I like that in a cook.” (Beware, Emma: John once said similar things about 2010 Celebrity MasterChef winner Lisa Faulkner, and now they are going out together.) Have we already seen too much baklava, barberries and harissa, though? One of the best, but she needs to keep her cool.
The Smooth Operator: Paul
Another favourite of the judges who even impresses when he gets it wrong (cooking partridge instead of quail in the taste test). He’s a grafter and believes in himself. It takes guts to serve butter-poached lobster and black pudding together. Or massive folly. (“Gratuitous”, sniffed restaurant critic Charles Campion.) Brave enough to survive a thin sweetcorn sauce. He will have to fight hard to be in the top three.
The Unassuming Underdog: Pete
Pete just quietly gets on with it and can easily be overlooked. But he has been one of the quickest learners of the contest and is starting to catch up with the more starry contestants. Is he too pointlessly experimental, though? His flavour combinations are often bonkers. Typical quote: “Yes, I’ve had octopus and pineapple before. Funnily enough, not cooked by anybody other than me.”
Predictions?
Top three: Emma, Simon, Tony.
Winner: Simon.
