MASTERCHEF: The Professionals fans were left repulsed tonight as the chefs used “controversial” ingredients to impress the judges.
This year’s first quarter-final saw the strongest four chefs from the first two heats return to face two more demanding challenges.
The first was an Invention Test, where the chefs created dish using preserved and tinned food.
They had ten minutes to select their ingredients before designing and executing a dish in just one hour.
However, the professionals had to dig deep and think on their feet to elevate a dish of tinned beans, spam and tinned duck to restaurant standards.
Anthony, who is a chef at The Goring, tried to impress the judges his spiced masala baked beans – revealing that “breakfast” inspired his dish.
Private chef Dan opted for a simple tomato sauce and pasta and John tried to wow the judges with his spam cassoulet.
He tried to jazz up the unusual dish with artichokes, mushrooms and fried his spam to enhance the flavour.
Meanwhile, Gibraltar born head chef Nico wanted to bring his Mediterranean influences into the competition.
He decided to cook up a traditional Spanish stew with tinned duck.
Viewers were baffled by the range of bizarre ingredients.
One wrote: “Ok, I just started tonight’s #MasterChef and a contestant is using a can of baked beans in his recipe.
“Surely he must be instantly eliminated.”
Another posted: “Heinz baked beans on #MasterChef not your usual ingredient!!!”
“Ewww tinned duck…that sounds disgusting. #MasterChef,” one shared.
Another commented: “Think the BBC are expecting a turn for the worst. Professional MasterChef cooking spam and pilchards.”
“Spam cassoulet 
, that’s very controversial.” one queasy fan wrote.
Another viewer fumed: “Pasta and tomato sauce, is this a joke? It’s #MasterChef ot a kids dinner!”
For their second challenge the contenders cook for three of the UK’s most discerning restaurant critics: Jimi Famurewa, William Sitwell and Tracey Macleod.
They have one hour and 15 minutes to prepare a two-course meal.
After a grilling challenge John and Dan made it through to the semi finals – sadly saying goodbye to Nico and Anthony.
Next time, four more hopefuls will fight for their place in the quarter-finals.
