After six weeks of toughing it out there are just three determined celebrities remaining with a shot at taking the Celebrity MasterChef title: TV and Radio Presenter, Craig Doyle; Actor, Rochenda Sandall and Professional Dancer and former Strictly star Vito Coppola. Everything they have worked for will come down to their ability to dazzle the judges with their Ultimate Dinner Party Menu. Two courses, a main and dessert, that deliver on every front, including creativity, technique, taste and presentation.
Below they speak about their highs and lows in the famous kitchen...
CRAIG DOYLE * What has been the highest point of the series for you, so far? Craig: “The first time I walked into the iconic kitchen, it was like stepping into the television - loved it. Then cooking a meal from my memories of me Dad, liver and onions. I didn’t care if the lads liked it or not, I was just so happy to do something to remember my Dad who loved cooking and would have been so proud of me cooking on the show.
” * How does it feel to be in the Final Three? Did you expect to make it this far when you started out? Craig: “I didn't dare think about making the Finals, but that darn kitchen is addictive. You just want more and more - so making it to the end is just amazing. To be honest I’ve forgotten what life was life before MasterChef.
It’s like - this is what I do now - I cook for a bald guy and an Aussie chap!” * What has been the biggest challenge throughout your time in the kitchen?Craig: “Being organised! My cooking is so chaotic and messy, complete carnage at times.” *What is the biggest thing you’ve learnt thanks to Celebrity MasterChef? Craig: “Getting my timings right, keeping my area clean and I have now got so much confidence in my cooking thanks to the show - it’s had such a positive impact on my life.” * Who do you think is your biggest competition in the final three? Craig: “Both of them, Rochenda is brave and creative and classy when she cooks.
Vito does proper Italian home cooking so well. It’s like his Nonna is on his shoulder guiding him. They are fantastic!” * What are your fears for the final? Do you have anything you are particularly worried about? Craig: “Everything needs to be perfect.
I rarely get it all right and my menu has so much in it, so many elements and different skills and techniques required. It’s my biggest challenge yet.” “I have always used cooking as a way of escaping stress and my own head when things get too busy in there.
I have terrible problems focusing and concentrating, but in the kitchen I go into a really calm happy place. Opening that place up to judgement and criticism makes me nervous.” ROCHENDA SANDALL * What has been the highest point of the series for you, so far? Rochenda: “Cooking for the previous competitors.
It’s such a hard round and the last of the Heats, so very stressful!! * How does it feel to be in the Final Three? Did you expect to make it this far when you started out? Rochenda: “Not at all, I didn’t want to leave first so getting anywhere after that was a bonus!” * What has been the biggest challenge throughout your time in the kitchen?Rochenda: “The time constraints. It’s so hard to prep set up and plate a dish in the times of each round.” * What is the biggest thing you’ve learnt thanks to Celebrity MasterChef?Rochenda: “Time management and preparation is key to cooking success!” * Who do you think is your biggest competition in the final three? Rochenda: “Vito - his ingredients are some that I had never seen before and he’s an absolutely fabulous baker! “Craig is such a hearty cook, his food is always so full of flavour and makes you want to go back for seconds and thirds.
” * What are your fears for the final? Do you have anything you are particularly worried about? Rochenda: “Now I’ve got to the final three I’m so happy for everyone. We should all be proud of ourselves. We’ve learnt and achieved so much in such a short amount of time.
To top it all off everyone has been fabulous - on and off screen.” VITO COPPOLA * What has been the highest point of the series for you, so far? Vito: “My highest point of the series so far has been my Quarter Final dish. That day was special.
It was challenging, and I felt under pressure because I had to prepare eight portions in total for the five judges. It was just the perfect atmosphere, and I prepared my mom’s scaloppine which made me feel more confident. Something switched in me that day.
I remember that I looked at the sky before I got into the kitchen and there was a different, very beautiful light. I will always remember it with a big smile.” * How does it feel to be in the Final Three? Did you expect to make it this far when you started out? Vito: “I never imagined at the beginning of this amazing journey that I could have been in the Final.
I did not expect to get that far, honestly. I always wanted to make my family proud and I was hoping to deliver good and tasty food. "Being here just doesn’t feel real - I have constantly to pinch myself! I am so, so grateful!” * What has been the biggest challenge throughout your time in the kitchen?Vito: “Honestly, Celebrity MasterChef has been challenging since the very beginning and I found every single challenge very hard in different ways.
If I have to pick one time I was under pressure it was during the Semi Final for the ‘Dish of Indulgence’ challenge. Even the judges were concerned about my choice to make an entire cake. But when John cut and lifted the first piece up and I saw that it didn’t fall apart and it stayed up like a proper cake, it was like a 10 from our Strictly judges! I am not going to lie, in that exact moment I got emotional and I had tears of happiness in my eyes!” * What is the biggest thing you’ve learnt thanks to Celebrity MasterChef Vito: “Celebrity MasterChef has been one of the best experiences of my life and I will always be grateful.
Thanks to MasterChef I have gotten to know myself better. I have experimented and discovered new sides of me. It pushed me completely out from my comfort zone and brought much more confidence.
Food is for me the biggest pleasure in life, but MasterChef is not just about cooking. It’s a proper experience and travel, where I had the possibility to discover myself, test myself, challenge myself and mostly be proud of myself. I will forever be thankful to MasterChef giving me the possibility to appreciate and learn to love myself more.
” * Who do you think is your biggest competition in the final three? Vito: “Honestly, I didn’t even expect to be one of the Final Three. I just feel so happy - words cannot describe. Since the beginning MasterChef has been a competition with myself.
I always felt that the others were better than me, that’s why I am just super grateful to be here. “Craig and Rochenda are just amazing and when I look at their dishes my jaw is literally on the floor. They are both such fantastic cooks and the way they present the dishes is just wow! I am just super happy and lucky to have the pleasure to be in the Final Three with them!” * What are your fears for the final? Do you have anything you are particularly worried about? Vito: “This is really a mix of feelings.
I know I will keep saying to myself: 'Vito, you’ve got this'. I need to prepare and in there, to manifest the energy of my family to stay with me there, so I don’t feel alone – and my cooking reflects my family and my region back home so I need to do it justice!” * Watch the Grand Final of Celebrity MasterChef tonight(FRIDAY) at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads ..
