No ash crackers, please, it’s the MASTERCHEF PROFESSIONALS FINAL!

[Halsall]

New thread for the final.

I've caught up this evening as I was out last night. Delighted Gareth won. He's been consistently ambitious and shown so much skill.

@ShamedBySiri I find that quite an odd way of looking at things: the best cooking should always win. The backstory guff shouldn't take away from what they put in front of the judges.

Seeing the photo of Luke in front of the Still and West brought back happy memories of my time at (as it was then) Portsmouth Poly. I had my first pint of Guinness there.😄

It's been a really good series, and made so much better by having the very pleasant and knowledgeable Matt instead of that awful, ghastly Greg Wallace. What an improvement! Thank you for the thread.

All three finalists are going to receive plenty of offers and could potentially do very well. I seriously doubt that Luke is going to fade back into obscurity.

Why do you say that? I think he's been a massive improvement on Greg. It's ridiculous, really, that it took a scandal for the producers to get rid of Greg, he was seriously lousy.

Matt has said he will only do the one series
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/matt-tebbutt-masterchef-professionals-exit-gregg-wallace-b2936890.html

Apologies for Greg's ugly mug included.

I find this a bit odd

Gareth was the worthy winner due to his food, the end

All of them will go on to success, they all do in these series, they get jobs or book deals or restaurant deals or TV deals.

I dont see Gareth as having a golden life at all, but even if he did, it comes to something that there is a tone that someone who has an ok background/life/experiences therefore is somehow less worthy than someone who doesnt have that. Both him and Luke (and the other one, cant remember his name) will have worked hard their entire lives, you dont get to do the jobs or businesses they have without working hard, they havent just walked in off the street without any knowledge at all

Gareth was self taught for a start.

They don’t really need a third judge/presenter. Marcus and Monica are perfectly well suited to do it, without anyone else.

Im not keen on Matt

But then Ive gone off Monica and I never liked Marcus either.

😂

I’m not keen on Marcus, I still miss the lovely Michel Roux ❤️.

I said at the start of my post that Gareth was a worthy winner. I was always glad to see him do well throughout, I liked him. I don’t think he’s a less worthy winner for having had a slightly more privileged background - I’m not someone who rails against class/elitism or whatever. He did a brilliant final meal.

And yes, all three are winners, they are all hugely hard working and I don’t doubt will attract offers and new horizons will beckon.

Perhaps I worded it badly. I just felt a bit sad for Luke that’s all. Simply by virtue of having had to graft away providing for his family he hasn’t had the opportunities other contestants had. No gap year in Italy for him. In fact probably no travel at all. And although I can’t remember all the details of his bio I don’t think he’s had the opportunities to move around to restaurants/working with famed chefs that others have had. And his sad eyes …. It just would have been such a huge achievement for him. Of course making the final and being Mumsnet favourite is an achievement in itself. He is a winner in lots of ways far beyond master chef.

Anyway Winchester is a bit out of my way but I’m fancying a weekend away to hopefully get to sample his menu.

I like both Monica and Marcus. I like Monica on the Grand Hotels show, (and thank God they replaced the awful Giles Coren with the lovely Robert Rinder). I get the feeling that both M&M truly enjoy seeing talented chefs develop and nurturing their talent.

I also rather liked having Matt. It goes without saying the absence of Gregg is long overdue. But I think it’s quite nice to have a third perspective. Maybe they should bring in different people like they did with the skills test. Or interested members of the public….a few Mumsnetters perhaps????😛😂 Yes please, pick me!!!

I totally miss Michel Roux, really liked him.

One thing about Marcus though - anyone watch his show about his farm? There were quite a few aspects that irritated DH and myself but the crowning glory was when he hosted a BBQ to thank helpful neighbours etc - they had to bring some of their own food! DH couldn’t get over it. He sees Marcus a a big Scrooge.

Oh I love the handsome M Roux. 😍

I cant stand him.

Couldnt stand that show, cant stand the show where he travels (cant remember what its called) god knows why I watch it.

I caught up last night. Did anyone else find the way it was all edited annoying? It felt to me like it was all ‘last time on…’. They seemed to cut out lots of the cooking and fill it with dramatic music.

Caroline was super. The dessert that sent her home just didnt work. She would have been a real contender in the final and would have loved the Dolomite experience