PLENTY TAKES MASTERCHEF LIVE CHALLENGE TO LONDON’S OLYMPIA

Following the success of the MasterChef LIVE Challenge in Birmingham at The BBC Good Food Show Summer, the competition will now travel to London to debut at MasterChef’s showcase live show, MasterChef LIVE from 11^th-13th November at London’s Olympia.

The organisers are now looking for keen culinary members of the public to take part in this thrilling competition and cook their signature dish live on stage for John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

The MasterChef LIVE Challenge, sponsored by Plenty, will see contestants battle to win over John and Gregg’s approval with one dish in just 45 minutes. In keeping with the programme, contestants will use their cooking skills in a bid to impress the judges, using their own ingredients and innovation.

The London challenge will begin on Friday 11^th November 2011 with a winner from each day competing in a Grand Final on Sunday afternoon. The overall winner from the weekend will then be crowned MasterChef LIVE Challenge London Champion 2011.

As well as the prestigious title, the winner will receive £500 worth of Sainsbury’s vouchers and a ‘money can’t buy prize’ of a day in the kitchens at Gauthier Soho. This amazing day’s experience will include working under Michelin-starred Alexis Gauthier, as well as the chance to savour Alexis’s food on the other side of the pass, with a complimentary meal for two at Gauthiers, every season for a year.*

John Torode said: “This is the competitor’s chance to be judged like all the MasterChef elite from the series but LIVE. This is no time for lumpy mash or burnt sausages – this is an opportunity to truly impress us with culinary creations.”

Gregg Wallace added: “If the competitors are thinking about cooking an omelette, they can go home now.”

The LIVE challenge is just one of the many features at MasterChef LIVE, the must visit foodie event that is now in its third year. As well as all the familiar MasterChef faces including Michel Roux Jr, Monica Galetti, previous winners, Tim Anderson, Dhruv Baker and Mat Follas, and finalists Tom, Sara and Jackie, there is also a huge array of food products to sample, with live demonstrations to tantalise the taste buds.

Plenty’s Juan Sheet will also be on hand throughout the live challenge, to mop up spills as the contestants cook away.

The Challenge takes place in front of an audience at MasterChef Live, London’s Olympia. For more info and to buy tickets log on to masterchefliveevents.com or call 0844 581 1341.

Contestants can apply by visiting masterchefliveevents.com and filling in the online application form. Entries close at midnight on Friday 14^th October 2011