Who are the MasterChef contestants? Meet the final three

Now that finals week is almost over, we now know which MasterChef contestants are in the grand final itself

Already, this year’s competition has proven to be one of the toughest ever.

2021’s contestants are some of the strongest in recent memory, displaying skills that would put previous years to shame. As the contest reaches its climax, we know that some seriously special dishes are on the cards.

MasterChef 2021 will soon be crowning its winner (Credit: BBC)

Who are the MasterChef contestants?

With so many great cooks left standing, it’s clear that this year’s finals are going to be no push-over.

Now that 40 competitors have become three, we’ve taken a closer look at who’s left in the competition.

READ MORE: Every MasterChef winner ever and what they’re doing now revealed

Given the standard of cooking already on display, the MasterChef 2021 final looks certain to be a classic. Here’s who has made the cut.

Tom

Tom impressed the judges right from the off with his highly polished, meticulously cooked food.

Based in Newcastle, Tom actually has some pre-existing experience in the food industry, currently working as the manager of a high-street restaurant.

READ MORE: Who is Grace Dent and does the MasterChef food critic have a partner?

This inside knowledge of professional cooking seems to have made an impression. Speaking ahead of his heat, he said, “I am totally obsessed with cooking.”

Several of Tom’s stylish dishes have impressed that judges. In Monday’s episode, for instance, John Torode confessed that he wasn’t sure whether he should eat or frame his black sesame dessert.

Despite the Asian influences in his cooking, Tom has shown that he can also handle classic technique. His efforts at Le Gavroche under the tutelage of Michel Roux Jr showed that he has a great eye for presentation.

If the MasterChef final is decided on style, Tom’s certainly in with a shout.

Alexina’s tart was deemed worthy of a professional by Jay Rayner (Credit: BBC)

Alexina

Alexina has gone from strength to strength in the competition thus far.

In her heat, she really impressed former contestants Stephen Wallis and Dean Edwards with a near-perfect pannacotta and tuile.

READ MORE: Who is Jay Rayner and is he related to Claire Rayner? The story behind the MasterChef judge

However, it was her dessert in the quarter-final that really caught the eye. Jay Rayner even said that he would have been impressed if it had been served during an episode of MasterChef: The Professionals.

In the first episode of finals week, her dessert was declared the stand out dish of a five-course tasting menu. She also impressed Michel Roux Jr with her handling of the incredibly complex mousseline of lobster starter.

If she can continue this form, she will certainly be in with a shout.

Mike’s duck dish in the quarter-final won particular praise (Credit: BBC)

Mike

Throughout the competition, Mike has drawn on his Italian roots to create some seriously stellar dishes.

However, in addition to great pasta skills, he has also shown that he’s capable of incorporating other international influences.

READ MORE: Inside Gregg Wallace and John Torode’s complicated relationship

For instance, his quarter-final dish combined Western technique with Eastern flavours in a spiced duck dish. After tasting his dish, restaurant critic William Sitwell said, “I can’t fault anything on this. It’s phenomenal”.

He has continued to win praise as the competition has gone on, with his roast dedicated to Captain Tom Moore in Monday’s cook-off receiving particular plaudits.

He struggled a little during the Chef’s Table round at Le Gavroche, cooking his first pastry of the competition in a two-Michelin star kitchen. However, given his success in previous rounds, it would be a mistake to write Mike off.

The MasterChef  final is on Friday 9th of April on BBC One