A TALENTED young chef from Johnstone has made it through to the semi-finals of a top TV cookery show.

Sagar Massey, 23, wowed judges with his culinary skills as he fought it out against three other cooks during last night's episode of MasterChef: The Professionals.

In the first challenge, the senior sous chef, who previously lived in Paisley, made a special chocolate mousse based on the tried and tested combination of orange and ginger.

After tasting the dessert, Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing said: "You've got so many fantastic flavours dancing and singing and enjoying themselves together. It's an absolute delight."

Glasgow Times:

During the second challenge, each chef had to cook a two-course menu of their own design, which was scrutinised by three of the UK's most experienced food critics – Tom Parker Bowles, Tracy MacLeod and Grace Dent.

For his first dish, Sagar served up masala halibut, citrus and saffron fennel, crispy spiced potato bonbon and puffed wild rice with a carom seed curry sauce.

Tom said: "The fish is cooked beautifully. It's very delicately spiced, you're still tasting the freshness of the fish."

Sagar's pudding consisted of rose ghewar, goat's curd and fennel cream with white balsamic strawberries.

Judge and acclaimed chef Anna Haugh said: "He's really impressed me with this dessert. Not something I've had before, but definitely something I would have again."

Sagar said he was feeling "over the moon" after making it through to the next round of the popular TV competition.

He added: "I just can't believe it. I'm going to push more to get into the final."

Sagar is now one of 10 chefs who will be competing in the semi-finals, which will commence on BBC One and iPlayer at 8pm on Monday, November 28.