Ten aprons are still up for grabs in episode 2 this Thursday.

From hundreds of applications from across Ireland, only 50 people made it through to the audition stages of Series 2 of MasterChef Ireland and the chance to earn themselves the coveted title and a prize fund of €25,000.

Last week in the first episode of the new series, just 6 amateur cooks were selected by MasterChef Ireland judges Dylan McGrath and Nick Munier to continue in the competition. With no-one impressing the judges during Episode 1 cook-off, no aprons were awarded and leaving 10 places still up for grabs.

Episode two sees the 2nd set of auditions and dozens of hopefuls trying to wow the judges and earn a spot in the Final 16.

Each cook has just 55 minutes to try and impress; having to prepare and plate up a dish that will persuade Dylan and Nick that they deserve a place in MasterChef Ireland and award them one of the famous MasterChef aprons.

A ‘yes’ from both judges will see them earn a spot in the Final 16 and the opportunity to progress further. However, where contestants split the judges, or Nick and Dylan are undecided, they can be given a ‘lifeline’ and asked to come back and cook one more time in the Cook-Off.

The pressure is on as the top amateur cooks in the country start their battle for a place in the Final 16 and a chance to become the next MasterChef Ireland.