MasterChef: The Professionals

Episode 8 (7x8)

Air date: Nov 19, 2014

Two Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing joins perfectionist chef Monica Galetti, and MasterChef's seasoned diner Gregg Wallace to seek out up-and-coming culinary stars. Five more ambitious chefs from across the country begin their bid to be crowned Professional MasterChef 2014 by facing three daunting tests. Their first challenge is the Signature Dish Test. The five chefs have one hour to cook one plate of food that showcases just what they can do. They must show off their culinary skills and impress the judges from the off as after this one chef must leave the competition. The pressure mounts for the remaining four chefs with Monica's feared Skills Test. The chefs have just 20 minutes to prepare a whelks and winkles dish. Monica shows viewers how she would prepare her seafood dish, but the chefs won't get to see how she tackles the challenge. Instead, they have to use their wits, culinary knowledge and common sense to create a dish that impresses. With Monica scrutinising their every move, only those who hold their nerve will succeed. It is then up to the chefs to raise their culinary game as they face Marcus Wareing's Invention Test. Marcus demonstrates to viewers his indulgent warm chocolate pudding with salted caramel ice cream and cocoa nib tuile - a dish inspired by his childhood but beautifully refined. With the same ingredients on offer as well as an array of other incredible ingredients, the chefs have just ten minutes to compose and one hour to cook a stunning chocolate dessert. Marcus and Monica then have the difficult task of deciding who must go home and who deserves a place in the quarter-final.