:D

I've always loved food, since when I was little, cooking with my family has always been one of my favourite past times. I distinctly remember the cook books we used time and time again.

Apart from taking food technology in early high school, hospitality in year 10-12 and work experience at a few places, I haven't taken any proper training since leaving school.

So one of my favourite things is to watch it instead. There is an absolute mammoth amount of cooking shows on TV and I enjoy a few of them. Always in the back of my mind I think to myself, what if I had chosen this as a career choice.

MasterChef, originally from the UK, is a television show featuring amateur cooks passionate about food competing against each other with increasingly difficult challenges until one of them is deemed the victor after several weeks.

The UK version of the show is not to be confused with the Australian or US versions, which are very loosely based on the original UK series. In comparison the UK version is sophisticated and low-key; it doesn't pile on dramatic situations and has a lot of integrity. It leaves a lot of other shows to be desired. This is about real people living their dreams who are passionate about food.

There is a variation of the series, called MasterChef: The Professionals which ups the game considerably, the BBC just finished airing the latest season in the UK earlier today.

Similar to the original format, but instead of amateur cooks, professional chefs take their place. These chefs may have had 20 years of experience, are in the position of head chef or have had experience working in a Michelin starred restaurants.

Throughout the series it was really enjoyable watching each of them grow with their own style of cooking. It blows my mind as to what food they prepare each week and it makes me want to challenge myself to see if I could prepare such amazing plates of food.

There was a dessert at one point that a group of chefs had to replicate that looked absolutely amazing, it was technically demanding and painstakingly complex. I want to try to make it make just for the hell of it; no particular recipe in hand, just based off what I saw.

Towards the end of the series the 3 finalist chefs went to cook at Noma in Denmark, ranked as the best restaurant in the world for 2010 as well as cooking for a group of Europe's best chefs who hold over 40 Michelin stars combined.

The Professionals is hosted and judged by Gregg Wallace from the original series; as well as Michel Roux Jr who runs the 2 Michelin starred Le Gavroche in London.

Gregg Wallace is a very likeable person, he does a great job of presenting and brings a lighter side to the show. When describing the chefs creations some of his comments are classics:

"It's like a cuddle on a plate."

Michel Roux Jr is a great co-host and a very talented guy, one of my favourite chefs at the moment, he demands absolute perfection and has a thing for the perfect plate of food.

In the end the person who won really was the most deserving. If you're into food and ever get the chance to view it, I highly recommend it.

MasterChef: The Professionals is one of my favourite shows and I hope it continues to be produced. It received a well deserved Bafta award earlier this year.

MasterChef: The Professionals originally aired on BBC Two in the UK and has appeared in the past on LifeStyle Food in Australia. Images taken from the final episode.