A project manager from Fulham with a love for food has made it through to the last four in the finals of TV’s MasterChef.
Jack Layer progressed in Monday night’s (May 2) BBC show, which saw the five finalists cook a complex five-course dinner in four hours , before heading back to the MasterChef kitchen to create a dish inspired by something personal in their lives.
He once again impressed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace, who were bowled over by his steak tartar dessert with blood orange mousse and spiced chocolate cake, blood chocolate sauce, triple sec jelly and an orange gel, topped with a white chocolate egg shell and an orange syrup egg yolk.
John called it a “something extremely sophisticated with a huge amount of work and a huge amount of skill”.
He continued: “I love the texture, I love the spice in the background, the bitterness of the orange, I like the sweetness of the white chocolate... I think your work is extraordinary.”
Gregg was less forthcoming in his praise, calling it “a little messy and a little muddled”, but he did enough to make it into the next show on Finals Week, on May 4.
'I love cooking for John and Gregg'
Jack found himself on the popular show after his sister sent him an application form.
Speaking of his experience so far he said: “When I got through to the semi-finals I was happy, relieved, ecstatic... exhausted but elated is the best way to describe it.
“Once I got used to John and Gregg walking around and chatting away, I loved cooking for them! They are both very supportive and while challenging in their criticism you always feel they want you to succeed.”
In the next episode, Jack grabs his passport and packs his suitcase as the final four talented amateur cooks embark on a culinary odyssey to Mexico where they will face a series of challenges.
Jack joins Andrew Kojima as MasterChef finalists from Fulham, while Harrow chef Luciana Berry made it all the through to the semi-finals stage of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2014.
MasterChef: The Final Week continues on BBC One on May 4 at 9pm, May 5 at 8pm and May 6 at 8.30pm.
Watch MasterChef's John Torode speak about food and his book
