Masterchef - new thread

[PseudoBadger]

Get in here Stairs :o

Larkin is just bonkers. He must get the award for the most "I've never cooked this before" on Masterchef. Why do they cook so much food though? I know that Natalie's honeycomb went mad but she still seemed to cook loads considering she only needed a few bit of honeycomb crumb for her pudding.

And John really doesn't like Larkin at all!!

I don't think they're anything like the standard of previous finalists - Druv, Shelina, James, Tim, Matt et al were all cooking at a far higher level than this by the final week.

Agree with all the last posts. Other years the semi finalists and finalists were cooking to a much higher standard. These three are going to have to take a massive jump up to come close to the previous years.

I wouldn't look out of place amongst those finalists and I don't even consider myself a particularly good cook (much better baker). None of them seems to be very interested in "changing their live" and becoming a professional chef. Maybe they edited all those bits out since it has become a bit of a cliche, but I can't remember anyone of them saying they want their own restaurant/cafe/newspaper column.
I loved "moisty" I might have to start using it.

And it still bugs me that it's just been so rushed - I couldn't give a shiny shit about them. Bad, bad series.

That posh pasta was part guinea fowl and part burrata which I think is an enriched or special mozzarella. I agree with the comments about these finalists. All three finalists in the last few years could wipe the floor with any of them. Does anyone remember the paediatrician, also called Tim I think, who lost to Druv? I also don't see the point of them going to Mama's kitchen and to the posh kitchen and recreating exactly what they have been shown rather than "their own take" informed by what they've learnt. We got six dishes the same last night. I want to see them experimenting but using the ideas and ingredients st they've been shown, not just once in a long programme. Mind you, the Italians are deeply conservative about their food and don't like things changed. If one village uses, say X ingredient in Y dish and the neighbouring village doesn't, they are always convinced that their version is correct. Does anyone remember Jamie Oliver doing Italy and discovering this, much to his surprise?

Yes I remember that - he was most put out!

I've noticed that when they're cooking their own food, these finalists are often copying the dishes they've seen in the professional kitchens, whereas previous contestants would take the ideas and develop their own dishes. So we're getting salt baked carrots and endless smears of cauliflower puree...

Larkin is very 'one-note' emotionally, isn't he? Just shrugs and smiles if things go wrong, or does the smile without the shrug if things go right.

I really wanted Larkin to win but I agree he's coming across as a bit shrug shouldered ce sera sera ish. But maybe that's just the way the programme's being edited.
I have to say I am much preferring this series to the last couple of years. They seem to have stuck closer to the original format and stopped all that nonsense about masterchef aprons and family members waiting outside the door to see if they got through.

By the way, does anyone remember the 'passion test'. Cringe!

What were the "passion tests"? I don't remember them but I only started watching MC in the year when James won.

The cocounutty desert didn't tempt me either and I loooove coconut usually.

Hi everyone! Just watched. DS2 was being a pain in the backside teething last night so kept me busy.

I was extremely jealous of the Sorrento, Mama cooking school. I would love to go there. I thought Dale was funny saying he would marry one of Mama's daughters if she had one available!

I agree with alice re that artist, Giacomo. It's the eyes.....

Risotto has to be given care and attention. I hate undercooked riso! I make risotto once a week and it's easy once you know what you're doing. Was a bit surprised that Dale hadn't made one before. The cheese with fish was a bit

Yes and I was surprised that Larkin had never made pasta - usually the finalists are pretty well experienced in the basics. Agree with the comment about taste buds - I'd like to see more invention tests. I also liked the round where they had to recreate a dish of John's without the recipe or ingredients

Last night's episode was at least slightly less stressful to watch than those last week (I am a complete wuss) but I agree, there is a lot of copying recipes, but no real spark of genius in any of them.
Perhaps we're all a bit jaded or spoilt and expect too much after so many series?
Larkin peaked too early and now is edited to look looks smug imo, it's as if he thinks - well, I made it to the final never having cooked pasta and producing randomly brilliant/atrocious food, so I can get away with anything.

I agree with pp who said this series feels rushed. It also feels like maybe it's lost its spark and particularly this end of the competition is short on new ideas.

Noooooo to Dale winning and I think Larkin acts like a man who has more in his life than just cooking.

Natalie clear fave for me - a personality and sense of humour always wins the day!!

Yes, Larkin isn't into it. I think Natalie has a good palate, is a good cook, quick learner and Dale is a bit Jack of all trades and likes several elements in his dishes. One of those two to win. I still think MC is not the same this year.

Oh god I'd forgotten about the passion tests! Cringe indeed. Sitting in front of John and Greg whilst holding a notebook (why?!) and trying to convince the judges how desperately passionate they were about cooking, how much they want to change their lives and [fill in random food cliche of choice].

Thank all things holy they stopped those!

One of the comments that surprised me most was Larkin's when he was making the pasta and saying that it would do even if it wasn't as good as chef's as it was the first time he'd made it. That sums up this series. None of them, not even Nat, are desperate to create the perfect dish in the way that previous finalists and winners were.

Agree about the passion tests.

But I do think the innovation tests and replicate John's dish tests have been good. At least they've forced the contestants out of their comfort zones.

I actually think that the Marcus Waring test last week should have resulted in more swinging losses. I wouldn't have put that hideous mango cat sick-a-likey in my mouth either.

No way will this years be a case of two winners without a fag paper between them like last year. If I had a gun at my head I'd vote for Natalie, but I won't remember her name in a weeks time unlike previous contestants.

And next year if they can't do basics they should be out in the qualifiers. Can you imagine Monica's face if a contestant said they hadn't made pasta, or cooked pork FFS!!!!

Also Larkin, if you read this, I don't fancy you anymore with your stupid shruggy shoulder, half-arsed, can't follow chef's basic instructions attitude.

Muppet.

I think Natalie likes Larkin still after grabbing him again for a smacker last night!

I think Dale will win, even though he makes mistakes. Natalie will be considered less experienced and accomplished. As for Larkin I've no idea how he got this far in the competition.

Why, why, why can't you have cheese with fish? I used to eat in an Italian restaurant where the waiter used to throw a hissy fit if I wanted Parmesan on a fish pasta. If I'm paying I'll have what I like.