After five weeks of fraught competition, it's the semi-finals and eight supremely talented chefs remain standing. It's sink or swim as the semi-finalists cook off against each other for the first time, each with their sights set on the MasterChef: The Professionals trophy.

It's straight in at the deep end with the first task, as professionals are asked to create a dish showcasing two of the most popular ingredients in the world – salt and pepper. They will only have one hour and 45 minutes to deliver a scrumptious plate of food that allows these two seasonings to shine. It's a balancing act, as too much of either can kill a dish, so they must strike the right balance to impress the judges. The hopefuls will need to give it everything they've got, as the best four chefs will be guaranteed to make one of the remaining six places.

The four chefs who fail to make the cut will have one more opportunity to prove their worth as they face an Invention Test with a twist. It's time to deliver a plant-based plate of food. Can they come up with an exciting dish that tickles the taste buds? A huge selection of fruit and veg will be on hand to kick their imagination into overdrive, but only those who push the boundaries can hope to secure one of the last two places in the next round.

Those who deliver will join the four from the previous round and edge closer to the MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 trophy.

It's the last of the semi-finals on MasterChef: The Professionals 2023, which has seen the final six chefs split into two groups. The best two from the first group have already been granted access to the ultimate adventure – finals week. Now it's the turn of the last group of three, who will also face two challenges designed to push their culinary ambition to new heights. The one that fails to cut the mustard will see their hopes of winning MasterChef: The Professionals trophy dashed as they leave the competition.

First up, the three semi-finalists head to Staffordshire where they form a brigade working under one of the country's most respected culinary talents, Tom Shepherd, at his Michelin-starred restaurant, Upstairs by Tom Shepherd. The three contenders are about to undertake one of the most gruelling yet rewarding lunch services of their careers. Impeccable standards are expected, but only cookery of outstanding Michelin quality will reach the diners. Tom has spent years building his reputation, and today it is down to the three chefs to keep it intact.

The three will head back to the MasterChef kitchen, where they must squeeze out every ounce of energy and deliver two courses which demonstrate an ability to be a real contender for the title. One main and one dessert stand between them and a place in finals week. With the stakes so high, only dishes with stunning execution, and a taste to match, will impress Marcus and Monica.

One chef will be kicking themselves, as only the two best on the day will move forward to the finals. With the finish line in sight, just who has the most left in the tank? The race for the MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 title continues.