Episode 8

Six more brave souls take on the MasterChef challenge, but they will need to win an apron for the adventure to take off. Everything is riding on this, as they all have their sights set on becoming MasterChef champion 2024.

Nothing in life comes easy – and if the contenders want an apron, they will need to stake their claim by proving their skills. Basic to Brilliant is the initial challenge, where they must make an everyday ingredient shine on the plate. John and Gregg will deliver aprons to the two best, who will then skip the next round.

There's no rest for the four remaining who can forge their way to one of the last two aprons by showing the judges they can think on their feet. Creativity will be key as they are asked to prepare a humble salad using an array of tasty goodies, including chicken, fennel, salmon fillets, tomatoes and bacon. There are just two stipulations – it must include a caesar dressing and blow the socks off judges John and Gregg. Making a stand-out salad might not be as easy as it seems.

For the final challenge, the four remaining contenders go head-to-head serving up eight plates of food in one hour and 15 minutes. In addition to the judges, their best two-course menu will be tasted by three diners who now have 14 years' experience of working in the food industry – 2010 MasterChef champion, Dhruv Baker, and runners-up Tim Kinnaird and Alex Rushmer. They will be looking for flavour pairings that work harmoniously on a plate, with glimmers of originality and something that makes them sit up and take notice.

With the diners' feedback in hand, it's then down to John and Gregg to dish out the result. Three will have big smiles on their faces as they head into this week's quarter-final.