MasterChef UK continues to grow in popularity and has inspired many amateur chefs to push on to the next level. The skills on show are sometimes close to Michelin standard and the chefs seem to possess more skills each year.

With the judging coming in the form of leading chef John Torode and the affable Gregg Wallace (he likes puddings, you know!), the show demonstrates the level of excellence of UK culinary skills.

The first episode of the series aired last night (Tuesday 12^th March 2013) which was shot at the Chelsea Riverside Brasserie at Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour.

In the show, five contestants were whittled down to three following a palate test involving sweet stuffed courgette flowers with saffron custard.

The remaining three contestants are then whisked to the Chelsea Riverside Brasserie where, after an hour’s intensive training, they are thrown into a busy lunchtime service, cooking for paying customers under the watchful eye of the hotel’s Executive Chef.