Episode 4

Four of the country's most determined chefs make the journey to the MasterChef kitchen, ready to battle for the prestigious title. The two challenges ahead of them are set to test their basic knowledge, skill, flair and imagination under the unforgiving gaze of Monica, Marcus and Gregg.

It's no easy start as the chefs face one of the competition's most daunting rounds, the Skills Test. The first brief is designed by Monica, who asks them to make a parsnip dish served with pickled pears and a miso pumpkin sauce. With only 20 minutes to impress, who will have the cookery talent and control to plate up a dish full of flavour? Marcus sets the next test for the remaining two chefs, who must make a dish of poached haddock and cauliflower cheese with two other cauliflower garnishes of their choosing.

Next, the four contenders have a final chance to impress as they cook a two-course Signature Menu of their own creation. They have one hour and 30 minutes to shine with dishes they have created and practised. Who will have the flavour combinations and presentation skills to win over the judges?

Only the two best chefs will go through to the quarter-final and maintain their chance of being crowned MasterChef: the Professionals champion 2023.