Meet the MasterChef 2024 finalists: All about Brin Pirathapan, Chris Willoughby, Louise Lyons Macleod and Abi Kempley
MASTERCHEF is almost over for another year, but before it ends a winner will be crowned.
Judges John Tororde and Gregg Wallace will have to make the tough decision about which finalist they will pick to be the new champ.
Who is MasterChef 2024 finalist, Brin Pirathapan?
Hailing from Bristol, Brin Pirathapan is hoping he’ll be the one to scoop the MasterChef crown.
The 28-year-old veterinary surgeon says his Sri Lankan roots influence his cooking.
Speaking about this, Brin told the BBC: “Cooking Background:Cooking definitely runs in my family.
“My parents grew up in Sri Lanka and are great cooks, so I’ve been lucky enough to be treated to amazing Tamil Sri Lankan flavours throughout my life. This gave both my brother and I a passion for flavour.”
Talking about being on MasterChef, he said: “I’ve watched MasterChef for as long as I can remember.
“The show is one of the reasons I’m the cook I am today.
“This year I felt I might finally be good enough to apply and I decided to pluck up the courage. Anna’s my biggest fan (and my biggest critic) and she really pushed me to apply.
“As daunting as it was, I was so proud of myself for getting to Semi Finals stage that it really gave me boost in the last round to cook my heart out and give myself the best chance of being a finalist.
“When the judges announced that I’d got into the Finals I was absolutely elated.”
Who is MasterChef 2024 finalist, Louise Lyons Macleod?
Coming from Exmoor National Park, Louise Lyons Macleod thinks she has got what it takes to scoop the crown.
The 44-year-old farmer who grew up in Staffordshire, is married to military helicopter pilot called Ally.
Speaking about her cooking background, she said: “I’ve been cooking since I could walk!
“My mum would always get me involved in preparing the family meals.
“My father would take me fishing to catch our supper and would teach me to prepare and cook the fish.
The reason I applied this year was that I had just had my five-year cancer-versary.
Louise Lyons Macleod
“My granny was also a huge influence and would encourage me to help her in the kitchen.”
“For at least 15 years my friends and family have been badgering me to apply for MasterChef.
Louise went on: “The reason I applied this year was that I had just had my five-year cancer-versary.
“I was diagnosed when my daughter was 18 months old and our world imploded.
“My diagnosis and intense treatment took a long time to come to terms with and changed me.
“A positive change was to try to embrace all of life’s opportunities fully. I’m utterly thrilled to get through to the Finals!”
Who is MasterChef 2024 finalist, Chris Willoughby?
Oxfordshire man Chris Willoughby wants judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace to pick him.
The 44-year-old circus performer lives with long term partner and interior designer, Kim.
Speaking about why he so interested in food, Chris said: “I’ve always been fascinated by cooking.
“It probably started from watching my grandma cook a great Sunday roast pork and being fascinated by how she would do it and make things taste so nice.
Cooking for John and Gregg has always been a pleasure, they both have great palates and have been tasting dishes for over 20 years on the show so you really know the feedback is coming from the right place
Chris Willoughby
“I’m a firm believer in travelling and have been so lucky with my career to go to far-off places and explore food while I’m there.
“Naturally, I go find the best food and enjoy it – it’s more than a hobby, it’s an obsession!
“Growing up we reared our own pigs for meat, and we had chickens for eggs.”
Talking about his experience on MasterChef, Chris said: “I entered MasterChef because I have always loved the series and the competition.
“Who doesn’t love a challenge? And this is one that will definitely test you.
He went on: “The further you get in the competition, the more driven you become to get to the title.
“With each challenge you learn so much.
“Cooking for John and Gregg has always been a pleasure, they both have great palates and have been tasting dishes for over 20 years on the show so you really know the feedback is coming from the right place.”
Who is MasterChef 2024 finalist, Abi Kempley?
Yorkshire lass Abi Kempley is the youngest contestant to make it to the final.
The 22-year-old works in sales at her family salads company.
Speaking to the BBC, she said: “I’m from Yorkshire and have two brothers, Ben and James, and my sister Ellie.
“I grew up in Harrogate, then moved to Thirsk at 15 and now live in the centre of Leeds.
John and Gregg are great judges and I’ve appreciated any feedback – especially once the initial nerves wore off after the first few rounds!
Abi Kempley
“I’ve been cooking for around four years.
“My cooking was born out of frustration for not being able to spend time enjoying food at restaurants and food markets during lockdown 2020.”
Talking about taking on MasterChef she added: “My mum pushed me to enter and really believed in me. I was nervous to apply.
“I knew that it could be a lot of pressure but I wanted to prove to myself that I was talented and it wasn’t family bias!
“John and Gregg are great judges and I’ve appreciated any feedback – especially once the initial nerves wore off after the first few rounds!”
How to watch MasterChef 2024
You can tune in to watch finals week of MasterChef 2024 from Monday May 20, 2024.
The show airs each evening at 8pm on BBC One, with the final episode being on Wednesday May 22, 2024.
If you want to catch up on previous episodes then you can watch the full series on BBC iPlayer.
There is no cash prize for the winner, but the champion gets to take home the coveted MasterChef trophy.
MasterChef facts
MASTERCHEF has been a staple BBC series for years - but what are the key details?
- MasterChef launched on BBC One back in 1990
- It ran until 2001, then was revived in 2005 as MasterChef Goes Large
- John Torode joined the revamped series in 2005, where he teamed up with Gregg Wallace as hosts
- Controversial moments? In March 2018, Gregg refused to judge Zaleha Kadir Olpin’s stewed chicken rendang dish as he claimed it was ‘not crispy enough and could not be eaten.’