is just great TV.

I like all 3 of the finalists. I think the Aussie guy will win it simply because he's got more experience under his belt. The other guy could sneak it if he can marry those off the wall ideas with a dish that works in all areas of judgement. The girl is raw talent but I just wonder if she has the skills to step up.

Gregg has threatened to blub on screen but he is undoubtedly a wonderful foil to Michel Roux's precision. But as good as Gregg's faces are he's got stiff competition from Monica who knows how to put the words "WTF?" in facial form better than anyone.

Overall what I like about this version of Masterchef is the way it celebrates talent and isn't afraid to show it. The people, despite the stock comments of "I'll be gutted if I go out" etc., always seem real, personable and genuinely talented.

...it walks the tightrope well because (a) for all Gregg's entertaining buffoonery, Roux is a serious and credible foil - the yin to Gregg's yang, in a way that the increasingly parodic John Torode isn't quite, and (b) the contestants - certainly at the latter stages - are all genuinely talented people weith respect for their craft and paying their dues, not just celeb-wannabe idiots with nothing to offer. And the various challenges are real, worthy and substantial: it really can't be easy to get the world's second-top ranked restaurant (last year, it was the first ranked one, in denmark) to participate in a TV talent show - all involved would have to be confident it wasn't just a waste of time/cred.

Like those perfectly balanced flavours Roux goes on about, the Pro version of the show itself is perfectly balanced. Though Monika may yet stray down that Torode-travelled path of parody in future series...

Gregg was nearly creaming his mashed potatoes over the three-star Michelin cooking last night. Wasn't it a treat to see the lovely Spanish brothers being cool, calm and polite in the kitchen instead of the usual shouty Ramsey wannabes in the UK?

I'm enjoying this series too - the amazing skill of the three likeable contestants, the editing of the show so the clunk of a spoon is in time with the background music, and the gurning of Gregg and Michel.

Michel's food seems a little fussy to me - hundreds of complicated processes to produce a brightly coloured dollop. I bet he couldn't do hot-pot.

I love Gregg's daft enthusiasm. He doesn't seem to be parrotting Michel's opinion as much this series, although it must be tempting for some of the chefs to say: 'What do you know, greengrocer?'

'Roman Emporer' to win. I think 'Miranda' and 'Dave' will be hit by nerves.

eating lunch at the Spanish restaurant, reminded me of a small boy being treated by his kind uncle. 'What's this jelly stuff?' 'That's guava jelly, my boy' ' Coo, jus' like jam!'

I've been dragged unwillingly into watching this, but it is actually quite appealing TV, not least because Gregg and Michel are so nice to the contestants. I agree that the Aussie chap will win, but the two children will go far. Mind you, a dish of smoke for lunch? YOUURR AVIINNG A LAAARF!

...I keep wondering when she'll blink. Scary!

Greatest moment last night had to be Gregg's open-mouthed amazement as the milky ice-cream thing with the candyfloss cloud went past his table. Priceless.

is better known as "Tim Finn" round our way.

I normally shy away from this sort of reality/talent(less) show, but this works for so many reasons. Largely of course because the finalists (and the semifinalists) are all genuinely talented people - and because the final three are nice, pleasant individuals with it.

Gregg, Monica and Michel work perfectly together as judges and the involvement of top chefs, critics and restaurants gives credibility (and, yes, priceless promotion) to the whole shebang.

Loving it.

And...COME ON ASH!!!

Michel would do the best hotpot ever tasted. Just think he would.
Thats all

Though I agree, it'll probably be Ash and it'll be well-deserved.

The Plug lookalike will be next to go.

...Pob

wihout the usual drawbacks. I kind of miss Michel saying 'unctuous' like he used to. I think I have a fantasy of Monica upbraiding me for failing to fillet a sole, looking mean and saying 'There's no way I could allow that to be served to Michel'.

But ... 2 things ...

i) Never trust a skinny chef (and Michel looks like he runs a regular marathon)

and ... 2) guys ...IT"S JUST COOKING!

Götterdämmerung organ they use every time there's a slightly tense moment; there's a great big fat droning note of doom that signals the departure of another sobbing has-been.

It's brilliant TV, and I want Gabrielle Drake to win, because she's really cute.

..that I have no real interest in (See also Mayo & Kermode's film review) as I'm not especially a foodie. Mrs C watches pretty avidly and I listen in while I'm here. (Is this what twitter is like commenting in real time by the way?) It is amazingly watchable. The finalists are so close to call, it's one of those situations where you don't mind who wins because they are all so damn talented. Greg is your everyman who loves his food whereas Jean Michel is the kindly uncle, with a slight hint of the psycho behind the eyes. And Monica would kill you for giving bad food to her boss (who she clearly adores). Great programme and there's definitely a drinking game to be invented, 1 drink for each "plate of food", or a raised JM eye brow. Double for when Monica frightens someone to death.

Sorry, but everytime I watch it I think of this

The three finalists are proper stars in the making. Dragging in the absolute cream of European cheffery for tonight's show was great. This is the Real Deal. Last night's was puffery - they were just assembling, not cooking - but tonight was fabulous. Whoever wins will be lauded to the heavens but I get the sense that a lot of Michelin starred restauranteurs were scoping out who they'll want rattling a pan in their flagship kitchen next year.

Ash will win, but the two youngsters have been brilliant.

As has been the whole programme. It is The X-Factor for chefs. But made by the BBC. So they have Michel Roux Jr as the Main Man.

If ITV had done it, it would've been Bernard Matthews.

is the element of co-operation that goes on. Last night we had Steve (aka Pob) helping both Claire and Ash plate up, while Claire assisted with Steve's pud. Can't imagine that sort of thing happening in the X factor.

One of the things I noticed last night was that they referred to a couple of the Michelin chefs who we'd seen in earlier rounds as their mentors, so presumably in bits we don't see they do spend time working with a top chef to develop their skills.

Thought Claire might have blown it last night by being too experimental, but it is too close to call.

I noticed the mentoring comment. I wonder if the mentors are looking to take on full-time whoever doesn't win. I think Ash is going to be first, can't say who'll be second. There was a lot of purse-lipped prodding of raw scallops last night, though there was alsos a lot of praise, so I think claire will pip Steve for the silver

This is the first time I have watched something of this type and loved all of the finalists. The are all outrageously talented - but Humble with it!

All the gung-ho pretenders ("I'm going all the way!" "Cooking is my whole life" etc.) have fallen by the wayside.

I'd love for Steve to win it becuase he is so creative and skilful, Claire's dishes are so good looking - only 22 - Scary!, but my head says Ash - if he can hold it all together - he has presentation, tasete,innovation and skill. As stated above, his extra experience will hold him in good stead.

But still too close to call.

Masterchef, however watched it last night and now can't wait for tonight ! I reckon Ash will win, though I'd like Claire to, because she's both cute and just looks so chuffed with whatever praise she gets. To watch this programme in the final stages is to be amazed by the skill, imagination and calmness of the participants. I am quite in awe of them. It is very good t.v.

It wouldn't be fair is some contestants had assitance and others didn't. Also who's to say that they still won't screw up even with coaching.

They have to have the innate skil, flair and experience before they start.

Also, they are probably spending the rest of their time off-screen perfecting new dishes - hence the lack of sleep.

for me. Combo of Oz and Catalan? Tick. Fantastic presentation? Tick. Passion to desert the clutches of corporate assemblage for the freedom of individual gastronomy? Big, big tick. I agree that this has been the best series so far and that we have the best final 3 ever. Any one of them could wipe the floor with some previous winners. Great telly that I will miss when it finishes. Can't say that very often. Also great to see the MIGHTY Tom Kerridge amongst the gathering of chefs, last night. I have had 2 of the best meals of my life at his Hand & Flowers pub. Now with its second star. Oh, and he keeps a great pint of IPA as well.

was a tad pointless, would have made a better documentary about a fascinating family business.
Back on form last night with 34 potential employees practically guaranteeing all three finalists a job in a Michelin starred restaurant so for once they really are 'all winners'.
There is only a truffle shaving between them and Ash is at the top of a very talented trio.

and in a respectful, non dirty mac way Monica makes me SWOON!
Does anyone else time the eating of their evening meal to coincide with the programme so as to get a kind of foodie 'contact-high'?

Or did everyone miss it?

Anyway, wouldn't surprise me if all 3 finalists are at the table with the Michelin starred chefs when we watch Professional Masterchef 2015.

who wasn't able to watch it live, and occassionally hovers here, so I've not mentioned it. Anyway, couldn't get a cigarette paper between them right to the end. Worthy winner, but they should all three have won, and I doubt the runners-up will disappear into oblivion. Excellent finish.

Enjoy:

It was okay.
I don't watch it myself, but I'm betting it was won by someone from McFly.