MasterChef star says she was ‘totally inspired’ after elimination

Celebrity MasterChef 2024 spoilers to follow.

Celebrity MasterChef eliminated another contestant after the stars had to cook for a very special guest.

Tonight’s (September 12) semi-final saw the celebrities recreate TV chef Ainsley Harriott’s favourite dishes, as well as making their own pizza.

It was makeup artist Dominic Skinner who had to hang up his apron after his pizza base was deemed too soggy, although he said he would cherish his time on the show as it “totally inspired” him to be more creative.

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The remaining seven chefs had to get creative over the two rounds as the pressure mounted.

In the first challenge, Ainsley oversaw the seven chefs, with Dominic joined by Vito Coppola, Craig Doyle, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Rochenda Sandall and Tamer Hassan.

Whoever managed to impress Ainsley and the judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, would become the chef of the day and advance straight to the next round.

It was Craig’s version of Ainsley’s bao buns with tofu, hoisin sauce and Asian slaw – “an absolute genius wrap”, as John put it – that earned the Irish TV host the title of Cook of the Day.

Later, the other six chefs had to make their own dough, drawing on their own pizza memories to create the perfect combination of flavors.

While some expected Vito’s Italian roots to give him a leg up, he admitted it was his first time using a wood-fired oven and he felt the pressure to get the dough right.

THE Strictly The professional dancer opted for a classic southern Italian white pizza with mozzarella, sausage and friarielli (a type of broccoli served with chilli), and a ricotta-stuffed crust that won the hearts of Gregg and John, who were “in love” with the thin, evenly cooked base.

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Tamer drew on his Turkish and Italian heritage with a classic mozzarella and burrata base topped with spicy Turkish ground beef infused with honey chili oil.

The judges also appreciated Rochenda’s delicate pasta with pear and pistachio pesto, blue cheese, caramelized onions and walnuts.

Meanwhile, Harry, H and Dominic all had issues with their pizza dough, leaving John and Gregg to make a difficult decision.

Ultimately, it was Dominic who had to leave the competition because his béchamel sauce prevented his pizza dough from cooking properly in the middle. After the elimination, he said that his experience on Celebrity MasterChef It will help him be more creative in the kitchen and might even rub off on his makeup skills.

Celebrity MasterChef broadcast on BBC One.

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