It’s MasterChef finals week, and four contestants who still have a chance of lifting the trophy headed to one of the most prestigious restaurants in the country, before it closed its doors to the public for the last time.
Michel Roux Jr’s Le Gavroche in London’s Mayfair officially closed in January after 35 years, but MasterChef filmed a tense semi-final episode at the famous restaurant and met some of its unique waiters while there.
Viewers who tuned in to watch contestants Abi Kempley, Brin Pirathapan, Chris Willoughby and Louise Lyons Macleod compete for three places in the final were treated to behind-the-scenes television insight into what was once one of the world’s best restaurants, including meeting the restaurant’s exclusive eateries. waiters, nicknamed ‘The Sisters’.
Meet the sisters! One of the MasterChef semi-finals was filmed at Le Gavroche, Michel Roux Jr’s Mayfair restaurant, which closed permanently in January, and featured twin restaurant managers Sylvia and Ursula Perberschlager.
Viewers who tuned in said the identical twins, who hail from Austria and have worked at Le Gavroche for more than 20 years, seemed a little strict in their approach to service.
Tense: Austrian waiters watched as Louise struggled to perfect her dish.
Louise breathes a sigh of relief as she gets her dessert for Michel Roux Jr out the door and safely into The Sisters’ hands.
Identical twins Sylvia and Ursula Perberschlager, originally from Austria, have been part of the Roux dynasty for more than 20 years and were on hand to hand out the semi-final dishes to a stellar crowd of critics, including MasterChef star Monica Galetti, three Michelin-starred chef Pierre Koffmann and Michel’s daughter Emily.
All eyes were on The Sisters, who speak seven languages and have enjoyed a cult following among guests at Le Gavroche; Regular diners say the twins were a big part of the restaurant’s success.
The sisters, who speak seven languages between them, were a big part of the restaurant’s success before its closure, Le Gavroche regulars say.
They seemed to keep a close eye on the contestants’ plates, seeming more than a little concerned when Louise’s ice cream began to melt while she was serving a Michel Roux Jr. dessert.
The semi-final was close and many viewers said they were devastated when Abi, the show’s youngest contestant, was axed.
After cooking for esteemed guests at Le Gavroche, the chefs prepared a meal in the MasterChef UK kitchen to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
But as Brin, 29, and Chris, 44, impressed with their skillful dishes, it was Louise, also 44, or Abi who missed out on a place in the final three.
In Tuesday’s episode, from left, Chris Willoughby, Louise Lyons Macleod, Abi Kempley and Brin Pirathapan battled it out for a coveted place in this year’s bottom three.
Judge John Torode announced that it was Abi who would be leaving the competition, angering viewers who had hoped she would win.
Before her exit from the show, Abi served the starter at Le Gavroche, which Michel Roux Jr’s guests hailed as “delicious”: a poached scallop mousse on a julienne of vegetables and diced scallops, served with Chartreuse liqueur veloute and scallop coral. tuile.
On X, formerly Twitter, Abi’s fans wrote: ‘Falled at the last hurdle. I really thought it was his.
Other guests at the prestigious semi-final table were chef Pierre Koffman, three Michelin stars, and Emily, the daughter of Michel Roux Jr.
Viewers flocked to social media shouting that the duck looked too raw, with some suggesting his competitor, veterinary surgeon Brin, could “pick it up and walk”.
But one dish caught the eye: circus performer Chris’ poached and roasted spiced duck breast, served with crispy duck leg.
Judge John announced that it was Abi who would be leaving the competition, angering viewers who had been hoping for her to win.
On missing out on a place in the final, Abi said: “It’s obviously a bit of a pain coming home at this stage, so close, but the whole competition has been a challenge from start to finish.”
Another added: ‘Abi should be proud of how far she has come. Being only in your twenties and making it to the final week of #Masterchefuk is an incredible achievement. I guess in the future she will be a great cook.
“I’d really like to see what happens with you next because you’re incredibly talented for someone so young,” Gregg said. ‘Well done.’
On missing out on a place in the final, Abi said: “It’s obviously a bit of a pain coming home at this stage, so close, but the whole competition has been a challenge from start to finish.”
She told the show: “I’m definitely very proud of what I’ve achieved.”