Silsden chef Tom Rennolds could be getting closer to being named this year’s TV Masterchef.

Viewers last night watched the 26-year-old battle it out with the other two finalists chasing the culinary crown.

A former Ilkley Grammar School pupil, Mr Rennolds has so far been impressing judges with his experimental approach to cooking.

The plasterer, who beat thousands of entrants to win one of 12 places in the contest, said he had enjoyed taking part in the programme.

He is up against Andrew Kojima, 33, a research analyst from London, and Shelina Permalloo, aged 29, a former charity worker also from London.

Yorkshire hopeful Mr Rennolds likened the contest to having a term at school - “but a school you actually want to be at and you have got lesson after lesson after lesson and you love every single one."

Last night (Tues) the pressure intensified as judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace sent the finalists off to test their skills at three of the finest three Michelin star restaurants in Europe - Oud Sluis in Holland, Bruges hotspot De Karmeliet and the Dorchester in London.

BBC1’s Masterchef is on again tonight at 9pm and the final is tomorrow at the same time when the winner will be revealed.