A Moray soup king cooking up a storm in this year’s Professional MasterChef will entertain viewers tonight as he competes in the quarter finals.
Baxters executive chef Darren Sivewright has already appeared on the hit show’s eighth series, and earned his place in the next round after winning the approval of two Michelin-starred Marcus Wareing, perfectionist Monica Galetti and stalwart judge Gregg Wallace.
And the Fochabers-based chef said making it to the quarter finals was like an “outer-body experience”.
On a daily basis, he is tasked with the formidable responsibility of creating and overseeing the production of new soup, jam and chutney recipes for the world-renowned food group.
But the 34-year-old said nothing could have prepared him for the pressure of stepping into the kitchen in front of the cameras for the first time.
Reliving the experience last night, he said: “It has been an absolutely amazing experience just to be with people like Marcus, Monica and all these other great chefs.
“There’s no experience in the world that can prepare you for that.
“I was really nervous. Obviously, I felt confident in what I was doing, but it was like an outer body experience. It was just incredible.”
In the infamous skills test, Marcus challenged him to produce the perfect buck rarebit – a Welsh rarebit with a fried egg on top – in 15 minutes.
Then the Fraserburgh native blew the three judges away with his shellfish-inspired signature dish.
In the 75 minute time frame, he conjured up Scottish langoustine with langoustine tortellini, summer veg, crispy ham and a langoustine bisque, which had the judges showering him with compliments.
He added: “Marcus took his first bite and looked at me and just said ‘stunning’ before going on this roll of saying how good it was.
“He asked if I wanted him to continue complimenting me, and, being the cheeky lad I am, I said ‘Yeah, please do.’
“It just couldn’t have been any better.”
In his quarter-final episode airing tonight, Mr Sivewright is hoping to hit the culinary heights once more as he tries to emulate the success of countryman, Jamie Scott, who was crowned the Professional MasterChef 2014 champion.