Alison O'Reilly from Dublin and Sligo native Shauna Kelly have beaten off stiff competition to make it to the final 12 of Masterchef UK.
Over 25,000 people applied for the BBC's flagship cookery competition and thanks to their culinary skills O'Reilly and Kelly are among the favourites to lift the coveted Masterchef trophy.
They both cooked up a storm on Monday night's episodes as the wannabe chefs created dishes inspired by their childhoods for the judges - chef and restaurateur John Torode and former greengrocer Gregg Wallace.
Kelly, who has been living in London for the past 14 years, gets her interest in cooking from her mother, Marie "who never had a ready meal in the house and cooked everything from scratch."
Kelly says she was motivated to apply for the show so that her mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease, could see her on television while she could still recognise her.
O'Reilly is also based London and works as a marketing consultant. She is from a big Irish foodie family - her dad was a publican and her aunt and uncle owned restaurants.
She started cooking from a young age; when she was six she received the 'Usborne First Cookbook' and cooked every recipe in the book, cover to cover.
RT if Alison is your kind of girl. 🍺 #MasterChefUK pic.twitter.com/Q1nsTD48VB
— MasterChef UK 🍴 (@MasterChefUK) April 24, 2017
In Wednesday night's episode of Masterchef, the remaining 12 contestants are split into two groups and will get their first taste of professional cooking when they have to run an entire lunchtime service on their own.
During a busy service, the six amateurs are responsible for serving up every dish on the menu to paying customers.
"A truly remarkable dozen." Now this is what you call an incredible batch of amateur cooks. #MasterChefUK pic.twitter.com/EMpTigKjCB
— MasterChef UK 🍴 (@MasterChefUK) April 24, 2017
It is then back to MasterChef HQ for an invention test to show Torode and Wallace what they have learnt. Each contestant has to show they can invent an exceptional dish that is worthy of gracing the table of a professional restaurant.
As well as presenting their food to Torode and Wallace, the contestants must also impress guest judge, Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin, after which one chef will be sent home.
Masterchef, BBC One, Wednesday, 8.00pm
