MasterChef The Professionals: George Birtwell into semis

George Birtwell, who works at Michelin-starred The Black Swan at Oldstead in North Yorkshire, has gone from strength to strength in the competition after having difficulties in the taco skills test.

After surviving a cook-off on Monday as knock-out week began, he took part in the pop-up challenge against four other chefs.

In Wednesday's episode, he once again tried to tackle the taco which failed him in the first round and prepared three different types of taco; a citrus cured sea bass, chipotle pig cheek, and refried beans.

George's sea bass taco failed to impress judges (Image: BBC)

However, it missed the mark and judge Marcus Wareing stated: “I am not happy with this.

"I am a little bit disappointed, and I am sure he is too”.

After not making it straight through in the pop-up challenge George was faced with the cook-off, with dishes in this round needing to be based on the chef's favourite drink.

His take on an amaretto sour was an obvious choice for the mixology enthusiast, with George describing it as a “banging drink”, and the judges thought his creation was similarly 'banging'.

When judging his dessert, Gregg Wallace said: “It is really attractive. I don’t know whether to eat it or kiss it.

“That amaretto flavour and the sour cherry is just so lovely.

"Your sorbet is deliberately under-sweetened because you have a sweet bitter crunch as its base. I am loving this.”

George wowed judges with his take on amaretto sour (Image: BBC)The 26-year-old senior sous chef has been in the industry for eight years and has worked in Michelin-starred kitchens on and off throughout this period.

Completing his qualifications through an apprenticeship with Northcote in Langho, he went on to The Three Fishes in Mitton in Whalley, and two Michelin-starred Ynyshir in Ceredigion, Wales, before heading into a development chef role at high-end food manufacturer TRUEfoods, where he stayed for four years. 

In 2022, he took on a Chef de Partie role at The Black Swan at Oldstead where he has worked his way up to Senior Sous Chef.

He grew up watching MasterChef religiously, and judge Monica Galetti was George’s first memory of seeing a cook on television.

He entered the show as an opportunity to learn and grow and take on board the judge’s criticism to develop his skills.

George said: “I believe as a chef, feedback is the best and only way you’re going to learn and grow.

"I welcome criticism and will always want to develop myself around what’s been said.

"I feel this competition will push me and help me take the next step.”

Describing his style as British Asian with classic French techniques he aims to provide clean food but not clinical.

He will now compete in the semi-finals and will be joined by fellow East Lancashire chef Dan Merriman.

Getting underway on Monday, the competition's best eight chefs will battle it out for a place in the final five.