MasterChef 20x4 - Episode 4

Expect twists and turns as the MasterChef kitchen opens itsdoors for the second week of heats, welcoming 12 amateurs fromall over the UK to take on the challenge.Six more amateurs setout to prove their worth as they battle for the right to wearjust four coveted aprons and take one step closer to thisweek's quarter-final. Their first stop is the brand newchallenge - Basic to Brilliant. Using an everyday ingredient,the contestants must create a dish that not only puts theingredient front and centre, but also tastes incredible. Onething is for certain - these dishes must sing with potential.John and Gregg will reward the cooks of their two favouritedishes with MasterChef aprons and a place in the nextround.It's not over for the remaining four, as they are givenone more shot at staking their claim on an apron, but thistime they must face the Think On Your Feet round, an inventiontest with a difference. They will be briefed to recreate aclassic recipe of floating islands – a perfectly poachedmeringue island sitting in a sea of creamy custard and toppedwith caramel. They then have free reign to embellish their dishin any way they see fit using a range of ingredients includingfruits, nuts or even a touch of booze. Will they deliver atwist on a classic that makes the judges hop with glee, orwill they be left stranded? The two standout contestants willnab the last two aprons.The strongest four amateurs will thencome together once more for their first taste of cooking theirown menus on MasterChef. They must deliver two courses in onehour and 15 minutes for John, Gregg and three speciallyinvited guests – 2022 champion Eddie Scott, finalist Pookieand 2020 finalist Claire Fyfe. All three have gone on to forgecareers in food and will be expecting the contestants' menus tobe executed to perfection. Will they play it safe, or go allout to impress?There are only three places in this week'squarter-final up for grabs, meaning one more cook's MasterChefdreams will be left behind and the remaining three will pushthrough to next-level cooking.