Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Entertainment
Abbie Meehan

Masterchef UK Edinburgh contestant called 'the only one to impress judges' by viewers

BBC Masterchef viewers were left seriously impressed by an Edinburgh contestant's appearance on the show, as he took on arguably one of the hardest meals of Tuesday's episode.

28-year-old Ally from Edinburgh was on BBC One's popular amateur cookery show, in order to battle against eight other cooks for a spot in the next round.

Ally was introduced as a property solicitor from Edinburgh, and spoke about his inspiration for cooking stemming from childhood.

READ MORE - Four in a Bed viewers distracted by guests ‘sloppy’ outfit on Channel 4 show

Ally said: "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. More recently, my dad has been a big influence on my cooking."

Ally's dish was to die for! (BBC)

Ally made a pan fried lamb loin with a pea and mint puree, rosemary hasselback potatoes, caramelised and braised onions, and a lamb and shallot sauce, served with sour cream, mint leaves and lemon.

This concoction of flavours and ingredients left judges Gregg and John very impressed with his work, as John said: "It's a good looking dish, really good-looking."

Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

Gregg took a bite and said: "Your lamb cookery is superb. It's pink and juicy in the middle, perfect. The pea and mint puree is lovely, plenty of butter in there and plenty of mint.

"The hasselback potatoes are also perfect, little bit of lemon zest, I like that."

John added: "For an amateur to create a dish like that from ingredients in their own kitchen, on the first day in the Masterchef kitchen? I'm going to doff my hat to you."

Judges John and Gregg were left seriously impressed by Ally's skills. (BBC)

Ally was super happy with his responses from the judges, and the fans on social media were also praising him for his dish.

One Twitter user said: "Well done Ally. We had to wait for the last cook to get a dish likely to really impress. #MasterChefUK #Masterchef"

Another said: "Love a good ol' Sunday roast, come on Ally! #MasterChef #MasterChefUK"

And a third wrote: "Well done Ally, #MasterChefUK"

Ally's dish was so impressive that he got the first spot in the next round of episodes, with fellow live-in Scot Sarah also making it to the coveted apron stage later on in the show.

Kinross-born Sarah lived and studied in Edinburgh for years, but moved back to her hometown in 2006.

You can watch Ally and Sarah on the next episode of BBC Masterchef UK on Friday, April 1 at 8:30pm.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.