Semi-final place for Simon

A SEABASS and garlic king prawn dish won Chadderton chef Simon Wood a place in the semi-finals of Masterchef.

Simon (38), from Chadderton, was one of eight amateur chefs left in the competition on the last day of the BBC contest’s knockout week.

The data-science manager created a show-stopping dish on Friday to wow judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

His seabass dish was accompanied by saffron fondant potatoes, crispy iberico ham and crab. The judges described it as a very attractive dish cooked “brilliantly well”.

Semi-finals week started last night, with the remaining contestants battling in a team challenge.