Masterchef: The Professionals 11x17 - Episode 17

It is semi-finals week and the competition is is on a knifeedge. MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace teams up with chefMonica Galetti and Michelin-starred Marcus Wareing to continuetheir search for this year's MasterChef: The Professionalschampion.Tonight the first three remaining semi-finalistsbattle it out for a place in finals week. They are sent to workalongside one of the countries' leading chefs, Michael Caines.Caines is creating a new food legacy in his own country househotel and restaurant in Exmouth - Lympstone Manor. Having heldtwo Michelin stars at Gidleigh Park for 18 years, Cainesembarked on his own venture in 2017 - a culmination of hislifelong dream to create and shape his own vision forgenerations to come. Lympstone Manor draws on inspiration fromthe beautiful Exe estuary that it overlooks and the surroundingcountryside. The exceptional food that Caines is creating atLympstone Manor won a Michelin star within the first six monthsof opening. The chance for the semi-finalists to cook alongsideCaines as he makes history is a huge privilege and one thatwill place them in an extraordinary position to superchargetheir culinary skills.The first eye-opener for the chefs is tosee Michael cook one of his signature dishes, lobsterfricassee with a lobster bisque and summer vegetables.Understanding the intricacy and inspiration for the dish is keyas Michael turns the tables and throws down the gauntlet forthe chefs: he wants them to create their version of his dishfor him to taste. Michael is looking for evidence of theirability to balance flavor, create textural variation and cookimpeccably. Once the chefs have shown that they have theculinary mastery to take a place in his kitchen, they are eachshown a further dish that Michael has on his menu. The chefswill join Michael's elite brigade and each take responsibilityfor a dish to be served during a packed service in hisprestigious restaurant. The chefs face the toughest challengeof their careers, cooking at this level under the watchfulgaze of Michael Caines. Only perfection will pass thetest.Next, the inspired chefs return to the MasterChef kitchenwhere they face the challenge of cooking their own dishes for atwo-course menu which Marcus, Monica and Gregg will taste. Thejudges expect their food to have reached new heights. The chefsmust aim for the skies, as at this stage in the competition,one tiny slip can mean the difference between gaining a placein finals week or going home. Only perfection will do to edgecloser to the MasterChef: The Professionals title 2018.