An emotional evening unfolded for Penny Lancaster on Celebrity MasterChef, as she missed advancing to the semi-finals on Friday. Her butternut squash ravioli was presented 15 minutes past the deadline, leaving her out of the running.
Despite garnering mostly favorable critiques from a panel that included Celebrity MasterChef veterans—2011 winner Phil Vickery, 2008 finalist Andi Peters, and 2009 Christmas champion Craig Revel-Horwood—Lancaster’s performance didn’t secure her a spot in the next round.
Judge Greg Wallace highlighted the significance of her time management issues, describing it as a “serious” flaw, while Lancaster anxiously anticipated the judging panel’s decision.
‘Everything piled on top of me’: An emotional Penny Lancaster was eliminated from MasterChef on Friday after presenting her dish late.
Reflecting on the high-pressure environment, Lancaster shared her feelings: ‘Everything piled on top of me. I just hope the wait was worth it,’ she remarked.
The wife of rock legend Rod Stewart revealed during her starter prep that the choice to whip up braised endives with orange juice, walnuts and some feta cheese was influenced by a night of good food that she shared with her husband.
‘There’s a really romantic restaurant in Los Angeles that my husband and I go to. It was a starter that we both chose and we’ve loved ever since,’ she admitted.
Tough work: Despite getting mostly positive reviews from three Celebrity MasterChef legends, Phil Vickery, Andi Peters and Craig Revel-Horwood, it wasn’t enough
Semi-finalist: Penny’s best efforts just didn’t suffice, however, with her fellow quarter-finalists, Megan McKenna (left) and presenter Melanie Sykes (right) taking the semi-final spots
Uh oh: The wife of Rod Stewart found herself behind schedule as she prepared her ravioli dish
Being honest: Judge Greg Wallace called Penny’s lack of timekeeping ‘serious’, whilst she sat nervously awaiting their feedback
Influenced decisions: The wife of rock legend Rod Stewart revealed during her starter prep the choice to whip up braised endives with orange juice, was inspired by a night of good food
Penny’s best efforts just didn’t suffice, however, with her fellow quarter-finalists, television personality Megan McKenna and presenter Melanie Sykes taking the semi-final places.
Megan prepared beef wellington, with Melanie rustling up a pancetta and chickpea salad in the hope of impressing the star-studded panel.
Prior to finding out she wasn’t through to the anticipated semi-final, Penny disclosed that she would feel ‘quite deflated’ if she went home because ‘she was loving this.’
Nervous wait: Greg, along with co judge John Torode, announced the results to the hopeful trio, and emotions ran high
Greg, along with co-judge John Torode, announced the results to the hopeful trio, and emotions ran high.
Megan was the first to be told she was through, with Melanie then snatching the final place.
Post-results, a choked Penny said: ‘It would’ve been incredible to get through to the semi finals but it wasn’t meant to be. Absolutely no regrets whatsoever. I’ve always loved to eat food, never loved to cook – and now I love both.’
Masterchef continues on Monday at 9pm on BBC1.
Gutted: Post-results, a choked Penny said: ‘It would’ve been incredible to get through to the semi finals but it wasn’t meant to be. Absolutely no regrets whatsoever. I’ve always loved to eat food, never loved to cook – and now I love both’