Great Scott... He’s in semis of MasterChef!

MasterChef hopeful Scott Barnard will return to the nation’s screens on Thursday night, with the final of the popular BBC Two series now within touching distance.
Pitstone cook Scott BarnardPitstone cook Scott Barnard
Pitstone cook Scott Barnard

Scott, 33, from Pitstone, has battled through three rounds to reach the semi-finals of the show, beating off fierce competition along the way.

Thursday’s programme will see the 33-year-old work with the head chef at the Michelin starred Northcote in Lancashire, before returning to the MasterChef studio to cook two dishes worthy of earning him a place in the Finals Week.

Dad-of-one Scott, who is a chef at The Grove in Hertfordshire, told the LBO: “I’m honoured to get this far as the calibre of chefs is really high.

Pitstone cook Scott BarnardPitstone cook Scott Barnard
Pitstone cook Scott Barnard

“There are eight left and everyone cooks out of their skin every time so you really need to be on your game.

“One mistake and you will be sent home.”

After applying for the show back in January, Scott passed two phone interviews, a screen test and was then invited onto the programme.

Filming took place over the summer and the 33-year-old has only been able keep his mum, wife Deanna and his head chef at The Grove infomed on how he has been getting on.

But whatever the result, Scott tells the LBO that the show has increased his love for cooking even more.

He said: “To be a chef you have to be really passionate as you long hours, at weekends and you don’t get to go out with your mates.

“It is also really tough for my wife looking after our little one on her own in the evenings as well, it takes its toll.

“Despite that I wouldn’t want to do anything else, I love my career and it is a great industry.”