How many of you have been watching the Professional Masterchef competition in which Professionals from all over the country have competed in regions and then the finalists nationally? Last night was the final, where the final three young men (there were young women 'lower' down the competition but they had all been eliminated by the time it got to the final three) had to cook a three-course meal of their own devising for the resident judges. To say it was tense was an understatement. It was so tense that I kept wanting to switch off as I could not bear to see the young men - all so earnest and all trying so hard- suffering so.
In the end the young Chinese man won. Earlier one of the three had left some piece of Langoustine which should have been removed from inside. The horror on the poor lad's face when it was revealed was so awful to see because he and all the viewers knew from that moment that although his meal was superb, unless one of the other two made an even greater error, he would not be in the running. The young lad who won - just before the judges ate the food - said quietly to his friend (yes they were by this stage all good friends) - 'I just want to go and sit in a corner and cry' - that is how tense it was.
Good television I suppose - at least it wasn't another Game Show where people compete for great sums of money. Here at least the contestants were seriously trying to jump start their careers which were already on their way. Yes, most of us probably do not go in for this kind of 'fine dining' (although I must say I do love Langoustine) - what was so fascinating was the young mens' dedication, their enthusiasm, that extra something which made them so earnest as they made their elaborate dishes.
I think he would relate more to being called a Brummie than being described as 'the young Chinese man', Birmingham born and bred with an Irish gran and some Cantonese blood. Anyway he prepared an outstanding meal in the final and fully deserved his win. Liam left a piece of plastic in his starter along with the erroneous piece of the langoustine and even though his dish was outstanding he could not win then. All three finalists have a great future to look forward to and they were the best I have ever seen in 20 odd years of Professional Masterchef.
ReplyDeleteWe're proud that one of the three was a Warringtonian...worked with dad Tom until he moved on...warms your heart.
ReplyDeleteLangoustine? What on earth is it? We didn't have that when I was growing up.
ReplyDelete" ...langoustine or scampi, is a slim, orange-pink lobster which grows up to 25 cm long, and is "the most important commercial crustacean in Europe."
DeleteWe didn't have scampi either.
ReplyDeleteI purposely didn't start watching this series, once you are sucked in it's all consuming isn't it. The last MasterChef I watched was the celebrity one earlier this year, yes I was addicted to it. It sounds as though it's been a good series though.
ReplyDeleteI sat there saying "Don't cry, don't cry" as poor Liam realised that he had ruined his chances of winning, as up until then I'd thought he would win. It's been an excellent series, as has Strictly this year. Both based on skill, not on being 'celebs'!
ReplyDeleteIt was agony to watch that poor boy, he knew he didn't have a chance whilst listening to the judges positive comments. He will learn by his mistakes and he is young, but last night that was irrelevant. Now I hear AJ is injured and out of Strictly with an injury.
ReplyDeleteEven though there is only one winner, anyone that gets to the finalist stage has to be very good. It must have been crushing to make one mistake and lose any chance of a win.
ReplyDeleteI just hate the tensions competition bring on, but I am sure all three will go on to better things, and they had the guts to slug it out - though I never watched it.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who hates to have somebody looking over my shoulder when I'm working I'd be ill-suited to any competition like that - let alone the fact that I'm not much of a cook. I'm just off to open a tin of beans...
ReplyDeleteSounds like a gripping program to watch. I much prefer this kind of competition than some daft games (although I admit they can be fun, unless the contestants are really horrible). I have been watching "The Voice of Germany" for several months now - the grand final is this Sunday! There are some wonderful singers, great voices; their choice of song is not always to my liking, but the competition is now at a very high level, and I am glad I was not the one who had to decide on who was sent home and who made it to the final.
ReplyDeleteLeaving a piece of plastic in the starter sounds like a weird mistake to make.
An inch or so of cling film!
ReplyDeleteI used to watch MasterChef but since I have been trying to keep my weight down I no longer do - it makes me feel hungry! However, like you I used to get caught up in the tension and excitement and applaud all the contestants for their dedication to their skills.
ReplyDeleteAnother night of tension tomorrow for the Strictly final. You never know what might happen until it has happened.
Good television??
ReplyDeleteThis obsession with cookery programmes on TV 52 weeks a years drives me nuts. Now one has just finished, Christmas/New Year viewing now confirms what I say - we have "Celebrity Masterchef Christmas Cook-off (two nights) - "Masterchef The Professionals Rematch 2021" - "Masterchef Champion of Champions" and all viewed by people who no doubt stress about poor starving people in other countries.
Strange as it may seem to Derek, the last thing I notice about this programme is the food. It is about people, especially young people, dedication, hard work and humility. And in this world of want want want these things are in otherwise short supply. It is a joy to see it and the presenters take it seriously in pursuit of high achievement being properly rewarded.
ReplyDeletePutting aside the repetitive nature of those programmes, which of course I don't have to watch, I agree with what you're saying in respect of hard work and dedication. But I do find myself wondering about the almost decadent use of good food simply for entertainment, especially when I see people who enjoy that fact, worrying about starving people elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteYou are like a dog with a bone so I am leaving you now Derek. It is your old chestnut with Masterchef, everytime Pat writes about it you raise it. I suggest you leave it aside, we know your views, and let those who get some enjoyment from the programme enjoy it. If we stop watching it and it gets taken off the world won't stop starving. I am sure we all do our personal bit for charities and most of us wear our hair shirts in private.
ReplyDeleteOkey dope
ReplyDeleteI don't really go for the cookery programs, Weave, but then again I don't watch much TV in any case. A few months ago I got caught up in Strictly Come Dancing while we waited for what was on next, and surprised myself by almost finding it entertaining. More than once I really surprised myself by finding it quite emotional too!
ReplyDeleteI'm not much for watching cookery programs. One time, when my sister was staying with us, she was watching one, and one of the judges kept sniffing about 'housewife portions', and ridiculing a contestant about it.
ReplyDeleteTim said, "Why is that an insult?"
Yup. I married the right guy alright.
Masterchef is not a cookery programme. If you want a cookery programme you watch a chef passing on recipes and ideas to an audience looking for just that.,
ReplyDeleteWell said Rachel. Anyone who doesn't wish to watch the programme preses off
ReplyDeleteswitch - and anyone who wishes to give money to starving millions doess sso - and I hope they dig deep after first ensuring that the charity they give to makes sure rheir money actually goes to those in need.
Our Masterchef never ridicules contestants in the way you describe Debby. It is highly professional and exudes politeness and fairness. Thank you Weave too.
ReplyDeleteCorrection: I don't really go for programs which heavily feature anyone cooking for whatever reason.
ReplyDeleteWell thank God we've got that sorted out. I never want to talk about Masterchef again.
ReplyDeleteRachel, Gordon Ramsey's yours, isn't he? Do you have Hell's Kitchen over there? I don't watch any of them, so maybe it's not like that any more. buuuuuttttt....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBqrK9tyvzU
ReplyDeleteI don't watch him Debby. Not my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteNor mine!
ReplyDelete