In the second heat of the week, six of the UK's most determined chefs make the journey to the MasterChef kitchen to fight for the coveted title. Only the best three chefs will remain in the competition and continue on to the quarter-finals.
It is not a gentle start as first the chefs must face one of the competition's most terrifying rounds - the skills test. Overseen by all three judges, it may not be a knockout round but no chef wants to fail to impress. The first three chefs begin with a test set by Monica, who asks them to prepare a sauce maltaise asparagus and poached egg. In 15 minutes, they must prove they have the skill to execute all three techniques to the standards expected by the judges. Under their watchful gaze, even poaching an egg can become problematic for these professionals.
The remaining three chefs must complete Marcus's skills test, who sets them a pastry challenge. They have 15 minutes to make a banoffee cheesecake with caramel bananas. Burnt sugar and lacklustre layers are not what the judges are looking for when the chefs are under pressure to whisk and whip up a wonderful dessert.
In the second challenge, all six chefs have the chance to wow the judges with their signature dish. They have one hour and a half to showcase their style, technique, palate and plating to Monica, Marcus and Gregg, and serve up a dish worthy of a quarter-final place.
After this round, the three weakest chefs leave the competition and three continue through to the quarter-final.
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