Dorset doctor makes it to MasterChef knockout week

Two Dorset chefs have shown their culinary skills in a popular BBC show - with one making it through to the 'knockout week'.

George Williams, 31, from Sturminster Marshall, impressed MasterChef judges in the quarter final, earning himself a spot in the next round following a cheese challenge.

Charlotte Roy, 42 who grew up in Dorchester, and works as a programme director within tech, also made it to the quarter final but didn't progress any further.

George, who works as a doctor, presented judges Greg Wallace, April Jackson and John Torrode with his aubergine parmigiana with a parmesan collar around the stack, cheese croquettes, an aubergine puree, finished with a basil salsa verde.

George (Image: BBC/Shine TV)

He explained that his choice to create two dishes was because ‘he wanted to show that he could work with cheese,’ adding that his mum is a ‘cheese specialist’ who works in a supermarket and helps to choose the cheese, as well as helping to judge the world cheese awards.

George described the experience as ‘stressful’ adding that he ‘worked his socks off in the kitchen.’

Judges praised him with both John Torrode and April Jackson describing the dishes as ‘very very good.

April added: “The parmesan collar is everything I love about cheese.”

The chef entered MasterChef to ‘try to challenge himself and push his cooking forward.’

He said: “I’ve always cooked at home, but really wanted to see what I could achieve if I put my heart and soul into it.”

Although former Dorchester resident Charlotte's MasterChef journey was cut short, she was still happy with the work she produced.

Charlotte (Image: BBC/Shine TV)

Charlotte said: “I have always loved cheese and it was the hardest thing when going vegan to give up.”

She made a cheese board complete with ‘loads of different kinds of vegan cheeses.’

Charlotte presented judges with brie and camembert croquettes, smoked cashew and celery puree, fig, pickle, walnuts, grapes and a port-jelly veil, however she forgot to add the final whipped blue cheese to the plate.

Charlotte wanted to show that her vegan alternatives ‘could stand up against any type of cheese.’

Judge, Greg Wallis said: “As delicious as this is, there is not a great deal of cookery.”

Sadly, this dish was not enough to earn Charlotte a spot in the knockout week alongside George.

Earlier in the season, a dramatic episode saw the vegan cook, accidentally slice off the tip of her finger while preparing her food just minutes in to the episode.

Speaking about why she decided to apply for the show, Charlotte said: “MasterChef has always been a dream of mine, but I never had a reason important enough to put aside my abject terror of being on television.

“When I went vegan my view was: if I can inspire just one person to think about doing more plant-based food then it will be worth it. I’d rather regret the things I did do than the things I didn’t.”

You can catch George in the knockout round the week commencing May 6. Catch up with previous episodes on BBC iPlayer.