In this heat, four more professional chefs from around the country arrive at the MasterChef kitchen, ready to put their skills to the test. The chefs are put through their paces, undertaking two intense challenges, with two chefs being sent home and the two strongest contestants going through to this week's quarter-final.
Each chef starts their journey by facing a skills test. Marcus Wareing challenges two chefs to butcher a chicken, debone the thighs and cook them with asparagus and a brandy, mushroom and mustard cream sauce, all in just 20 minutes. The other two chefs face a test set by Monica Galetti. They must create a fruit tart filled with a berry compote, piped pistachio chantilly and candied pistachios, and it has to be elegant.
Then the four chefs have a chance to redeem themselves of earlier pitfalls as they prepare their own two-course signature dishes. They have one hour and 30 minutes to cook up a main and a dessert that highlight their creativity and personal style. Monica, Marcus and Gregg will then decide which two chefs will be sent home and which two will make it through to the quarter-final.