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Series 11: Episode 5

MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace, chef Monica Galetti and Michelin-starred Marcus Wareing are together once again in their search for the UK's finest cooking talent.\n\nIn the second heat of the week, six of the UK's most determined chefs make the journey to the MasterChef kitchen ready to fight for the coveted title. Ahead of them are two challenges designed to challenge their ability in the kitchen - from taste and technical flair to creativity and ability to work under pressure. These chefs' every move will be watched over by Monica, Marcus and Gregg. At the end of the heat, only the three best chefs will go through to the quarter-final.\n\nEach chef begins with the skills test. The first three chefs face the terrifying prospect of cooking an elegant dish that Marcus has selected for them. They have 15 minutes to produce perfect poached plaice with a beurre blanc sauce. The plaice must be precisely fileted from the fish before the cooking can even begin, and the classical beurre blanc shouldn't be hurried even with the clock ticking and the judges watching on. The next three chefs have been given 20 minutes by Monica to make her baked alaska - the knack with this classic is stopping the ice cream interior from turning into a puddle while the baking of the Italian meringue takes place. First step, whisking up a perfectly peaked Italian meringue before the chefs have to juggle their timings and temperatures to get them spot on.\n\nIn the next round it is now down to all six chefs to come back in and wow the judges with a dish of their own design. They have a chance to save face after any earlier mishaps, when they cook their own signature dish for Monica, Marcus and Gregg. In an hour and 15 minutes, they must inspire the judges with their creativity, flavours and personal style. It is their chance to claim some culinary kudos before the judges decide which three are sent home, and which three go through to this week's quarter-final.

Source: BBC 2