A St Andrews chef reached the semi-final stage of MasterChef: The Professionals despite a last-minute dash to hospital before his debut appearance on the show.
Jamie Scott, of Rocca Restaurant, made his debut on the BBC Two show on Wednesday before qualifying for the semi-finals of the contest on Thursday.
The 27-year-old’s skills in the kitchen impressed judges Monica Galetti, Gregg Wallace and Marcus Wareing who applauded him as “one to watch” to make it to the next round.
He said: “I was excited and nervous stepping into the kitchen for the first time and seeing the three judges was surreal.
“It didn’t help that I had to go to hospital earlier that day as I had tendonitis in my foot. Thankfully I was able to make it to the next round.”
On Wednesday’s heat show, the young chef cooked a turbot, chicken skin and asparagus in the Signature Dish Test.
He then showcased his butchery prowess in the Skills Test, preparing a pork belly in just 10 minutes.
Finally, in the Invention Test, he cooked a stunning pigeon dish in just an hour and 10 minutes.
Jamie, who has been at Rocca St Andrews for over three years, will make his next appearance on the show on Tuesday December 2 at 8pm on BBC Two, when he fights for a place in the next stage of the competition.
Jamie is the third chef with connections to St Andrews to enjoy success in Masterchef: The Professionals in the past two years.
Last year Scott Davies, a chef at The Adamson in St Andrews, and Adam Handling, who worked at The Fairmont, both reached the final of the prestigious competition.