Episode 8

Six more chefs set out to prove they are serious contenders for the title. They have two chances to win over judges Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace, first in the skills test and then in the signature dish challenge.

In this heat, the first three chefs must prove their talent in a skills test set by Monica. They have just 15 minutes to make a lamb tartare with a confit egg. Their butchery skills, fine dice, seasoning and presentation is under scrutiny as all three MasterChef judges examine their every move.

The next three chefs are set a skills test by Marcus. He puts them under pressure to fillet a John Dory and serve it with the perfect polenta in 15 minutes. The chefs can find the simplest filleting fiddly when facing the judges for the first time.

Finally, the six chefs come together in the MasterChef kitchen to complete the signature dish round. This is their chance to show what their cooking is all about with their own recipe. They also have their hopes pinned on the dish seeing them through to the quarter-final.