Simon’s dish was lick-the-plate brilliant

Simon Wood: still cooking

GREG Wallace told him his dish was “lick the plate brilliant” and John Torode said it was “exceptional” - two reasons why Chadderton chef Simon Wood got closer last night to lifting the coveted “MasterChef” trophy.

Simon cooked a special Churchill memorial dinner, at which guests included Sir Winston’s grand-daughter, Celia Sandys, and his great-grandson, Randolph.

Under the watchful eye of the two-star Michelin chef Michael Caines, Simon was hailed the stand-out contestant of the round.

He then returned to the “MasterChef” kitchen for the next knockout round, when he wowed the two judges with a creation consisting of pheasant, red cabbage and beetroot.

Simon is one of four remaining contestants in the show.