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Have you been watching this year's Professional Masterchef? Worthy winner, I thought (I picked him as a likely winner on his first appearance).
I have a couple of questions, though.
On what basis are the 6 semi-finalists divided in to two groups? I think Matt would have not been eliminated if he had been up against Louisa or the other one (whose name I've forgotten already!)
How do the chefs pace themselves? One would think that they would cook their best dishes earlier on, in order to get through, but they seem to cook better and e]better ones through the competition.

Hi chris. I watch all the Masterchefs, even though I was angry when they used live sea urchins! No-one said they were live but I am sure they were. This time the uncooked lobsters appeared dead, let us hope pithed. I am no sentimentalist but I do not approve of cruelty even to invertebrates. (Not eating any live oysters!)
I thought Craig would win, simply because his dessert was so original. Neither he or Louisa made a single mistake (just one negative comment is usually enough.)

I have no idea of the answer to your first question, I really thought Matt would be in the final and perhaps win. Unfortunately I was asleep when he got eliminated so I didn't see why! I'd guess the judges try to even out the talent in the two groups.

I think the answer to the second question has two parts. No question, best dishes last. In the earlier rounds it's possible excellent but not necessarily stunning food might be OK. Also they are given real learning experiences and have some time afterwards to reflect and experiment. The invention tests seem very difficult to me- I'd have about half a dozen adaptable recipes ready. Once they had to make a meal from scraps and one chef snootily said he was used to cooking with only the best ingredients. He didn't get through.

Marcus has improved beyond recognition. Do you watch other cookery programs? I don't, except Bake Off before it changed.

Hi rosalind

I'm a sucker for "Great British menu", but apart from that I much prefer books to TV (I've acquired quite a number on my Kindle, on the "Daily Deal" 99p offers). I don't watch "Bake off" - unlike you, I'm entirely uninterested in cakes (and most other sweet things, in fact).

Yes, Marcus seems almost nice! Louisa did make a mistake or two through the series, mainly through overambition; Craig only one, having to "cook off" in an earlier round.

The standard seemed higher than ever this year!

I have a sneaking suspicion that the first semi was overloaded so that Louisa would be a female representative in the final - possibly way off base, though.

Think you're right about them wanting Louisa in the final -but she earned her place as she wasn't far off winning. Poor Steven and his undercooked lamb (I wouldn't eat most of the meat cooked on that program, it looks nearly raw.)
I don't cook much any more, have retired from cake making except grandchildren's birthday cakes and Christmas Gingerbread House. Most cook books only seem to have one really good recipe, but I am on my second copy of Good Housekeeping's Cookery Book.
Best wishes for the new year!

Best wishes for the new year to you too, rosalind.

I too have several books that I use for only one recipe! My cooking has become a bit more challenging in the last few months, as my (36 year old) daughter has become vegan, and my wife isn't that fond of meat either. Sometimes we just let them go their own way, though.....

Merry Christmas!