The “MasterChef: The Professionals” kitchen, a crucible of culinary ambition, is about to get even hotter. Six semi-finalists remain, each harboring dreams of glory, but only five will survive this week’s double-barreled culinary gauntlet. First, Michelin-starred chef Victor Garvey, a New Yorker who’s made a name for himself reinventing American cuisine in London at his restaurant SoLa, crashes the party. He’s tasked the frazzled chefs with producing not one, but two, bite-sized snacks, served restaurant-style, under intense time pressure. Because nothing tests a chef like whipping up amuse-bouches in a pressure cooker.
Garvey, drawing inspiration from his own childhood, is looking for familiar flavors with a twist – the kind of snack that sparks a Proustian rush. For the second challenge, the chefs trade tiny bites for grand gestures, creating a dish inspired by a special memory. Whether it’s a disastrous Christmas dinner, a first date fueled by indigestion, or a forgotten birthday cake, these dishes are meant to be more than just food; they’re edible time capsules. One chef, however, will find their memories aren’t enough to save them from elimination, their “MasterChef” journey ending one dish short of the finale.
Tune in to BBC One at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, to see whose culinary dreams crumble and whose rise to the occasion. This is episode 17 of 21.
