I am a big fan of the BBC’s cooking programmes. I’ve watched the past few series of The Great British Bake-Off and earlier this year I watched every single one of the 45 or so episodes of the latest series of The Great British Menu. I’ve even interviewed one of the Great British Menu Judges: I’m that big a fan. (Read my interview with Prue Leith here.)
Bearing this in mind I decided to give the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals a try. So far I’ve watched every single episode and have found it getting more interesting as it has progressed. I found the format initially too fragmented with 10 new chefs each week not allowing you to get to grips with the personalities of each chef. This is something which GBO and GBM do much better. This means that the MasterChef judges get a bit too much attention early on and although Michele Roux is pretty good value, cheeky-chappy Greg Wallace and the unfeasibly miserable Monica Galetti do get a bit trying.
Marcus Wareing: Completely unpretentious
As the series has progressed and the chefs get narrowed down, then, the series has become far more interesting. This week’s semi-final episodes have been by far the best by virtue of the fact that the semi-finalists had to cook in kitchens belonging to elite chefs. Cue incredible amounts of fretting by the three elite chefs anxiously hoping that their dishes aren’t screwed up. The three elite, Michelin starred chefs in question were Marcus Wareing, Daniel Clifford and Tom Kerridge, all of whom I was already familiar with from The Great British Menu . It was really interesting to see the contrast between the aspiring MasterChefs and the three who are already at the top of their profession.
However, I couldn’t help wondering whether, if I were a contestant, I might be put off attempting a shot at the culinary big-time due to having worked with the big dogs. Wareing, Clifford and Kerridge all shared a frightening intensity and drive to sacrifice absolutely everything for their profession. In a particularly intense and inadvertently hilarious moment Marcus Wareing looked down the camera and said he’d ‘Sacrificed my friends. Sacrificed my family and sacrificed my youth’ for his precious stars.
I suppose what ultimately separates a Michelin starred chef from a normal chef is this determination. Programmes like MasterChef the Professionals and The Great British Menu are compelling because they offer us a window into this dedication.
Watch MasterChef: The Professionals on iPlayer.
PS
Culture Curators 
what a cop out! you can’t have plans? 2 winners. Won’t be watching again!
I disagree. It was plain to see the winners were inseparable throughout the series and of course the program reflected this in the final decision.
Absolute joke……a complete cop out….i won’t be watching again….
I disagree, I also think the outcome was far from a joke, the winners were inseparable throughout the competition. I’m sure the program makers will be truly disappointed that yourself, Neil and Ed wont be watching next time too.
So disappointed with the outcome, there is only one first place so can’t have two winners. Seriously considering not watching again if this is the sort of thing that is going to happen.
What is the point of watching 24 episodes if this is the outcome. You are judges and should have made a decision. Very disappointed.
There are many situations where a joint 1st place exists. This was one such instance where the right decision was made. There is no winning post or points to accumulate in master chef. The program makers clearly considered the outcome against the competition rules in a proper and professional way.
Perhaps you are thinking that MC should have had 3 judges maybe?
They both deserved to win for different reasons…I would say it was the only fair decision that could be made…will definitely be watching the next series.
Absolutely right to have two winners. They were inseperable
I too am disappointed! There can only be one winner!
Felt really sorry for Oli. Bad enough losing but being the only loser must feel terrible. You should be ashamed of yourselves vey unfair. Made a very enjoyable program a fiasco.
The reprimanding of the decision on here is both unnecessary and harsh
Whilst I concur perhaps one more episode with a final cookoff between the two may have been the answer, you would imagine both budgetary costs and time constraints would not have allowed for this, so you have to say they made the right decision
How you separate two flawless three-course meals of innovation and true class is beyond me
I think you have to consider what the point of MasterChef is. It’s not a reality TV show in the same way that the XFactor where you have to have a winner. It’s far less contrived than that.
All three of the chefs who made it to the final had already won in a sense. They proved they were phenomenal chefs and the tag of ‘winner’ might have seemed a bit childish after they’d all achieved so much.
If there is an issue with having a joint victor, it is that this makes Ollie a loser by comparison. Which is slightly unfair on him considering how much younger he is than Anton and Kerry.
I’m definitely watching the next series although I might not bother with all the heats.
Totally agree with everyone, we love masterchef and the whole point is there s a winner! What total rubbish to have 2! Grow up BBC! We will switch off if this is going to happen, bring on masterchef Australia, they know how to do it right!
Hmm, perhaps drop the ‘we’. and as for being ‘rubbish’ well I don’t agree with your view. For me and for the winners it was fair and within the rules. You maybe getting mixed up with shows that uses a counting system (points or votes) to determine a winner.
Two equal winners on Professional Masterchef was an excellent choice. Well done Keri and Anton.
Thought it was a brillant decision thinking outside the box! both worthy of the title
Totally correct decision. Both are sublime chefs and Oli is a true find. .I adored the series.
I also adored the series and think deciding on joint winners was the fairest decision. I would really be interested to learn what happens next in their lives. Are they head hunted by top restaurants, does Anton return to his pub in Devon?I am probably being too nosey.
Interesting point from Maggie B. I too would like to see a follow up, but not in 6-12 months time when I have long forgotten why i wanted to see it…!
Fantastic build up over the preceding weeks.
I had my suspicions it would be a double win at the last fence. I think it was clear from early on that one couldnt get a fag paper between the two winners. Well done for having the balls to make the right decision
What a great series – Loved the final and I am glad they chose to have both as winners, they were inseperable and I think it would have been fruitless to try to seperate them.
Happy with two winners, think it was the right decision. Next series I will watch after the heats though, the first few stages are tedious. Like the poster above, I would love to see the “masterchef, what happened next?” follow up programme.
Absolutely agree – both deserved to win. As for Oli he knows he was not fault free at the end but he has so much potential I expect he has been snapped up by one of the Michelin *** Chefs already. Would be good to get feedback for all 3 asap. I look forward to the next series. Only one fault in my opinion – I get v hungry every time I watch it.
Too true! Missing it already. I agree with Paul a “and what happened next?” would have to follow on pretty quickly, so that we don´t lose interest in the chefs.