A top chef from Renfrewshire has advanced to the final four of hit TV show Masterchef: The Professionals as he vies to be crowned cream of the crop.
The Paisley Daily Express told earlier this week how 23-year-old Paisley man Sagar Massey had made it through to finals week on the iconic BBC One show.
The former West College Scotland pupil made his first appearance in finals week in an episode that aired on Tuesday night.
In the episode, Sagar faced the five other remaining contestants who had to cook off against one another for a chance to make it to the next stage of the finals.
With just four contestants going through to the next round, which will be aired this evening,
Sagar yet again wowed judges as he continues to mark himself out as a potential favourite to win the whole competition.
The four successful contestants finished the show by preparing meals for some of the country’s most well-regarded chefs in the Chef’s Table event held at the five-star Lanesborough Hotel in London.
They had to prove their talent to 20 of their professional heroes who hold an impressive 19 Michelin stars between them.
Although not facing being knocked out during this event, it was a chance for the contestants to impress potential future employers.
Sagar described making it through to the next round and being able to cook for the Chef’s Table event as being “a dream come true”.
He took on the dessert portion of the challenge and prepared a complex dish including chilli and rum-infused pineapple, passion fruit, mango, oranges, meringue, coconut ice cream, burnt lime caramel and rum baba with smoked white chocolate powder.
Sagar said: “There are so many technical elements in my dish and I think they are going to show the best of my skills.”
And the taste testers certainly agreed with him.
Judge Gregg Wallace, as Sagar’s dish was served to the diners, commented: “That is a thing of beauty.”
Another diner expressed their delight with what they had just eaten and added: “I’m interested to see if they would like a job.”
Sagar – who works at The Rabbit restaurant in the Marine Hotel, Troon, South Ayrshire – lives in Johnstone having moved to Paisley as a youngster from New Delhi, India, eight years ago.
He studied professional cookery at West College Scotland and has worked alongside some of the finest in the industry, including during his time at Michelin starred restaurant Martin Wishart, at Loch Lomond.
The finals continue tomorrow night and conclude at 6.15pm on Sunday, December 11 with all the episodes available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here
