It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since a band of MasterChef contestants, judges, film crew and the illustrious Chef Niklas Ekstedt descended upon our woodland as they prepared to impress the ever excitable judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
Here, Nomadic Dinners founder unpacks five of his highlights from that rather eventful day.
1. The Burger Extravaganza
While the contestants were busy crafting culinary masterpieces, a food truck was dishing out free burgers. Yes, you heard that right—free burgers! And not just one; you could have as many as you liked. They had runners on hand, so if you fancied a burger but couldn’t possibly be bothered to walk 20 metres, you could simply summon one.
2. Meeting Niklas: The Flambidou-Wielding Deity
Encountering Niklas was akin to meeting a culinary demigod. Picture Thor, but instead of a thunderous hammer, he was wielding a “Flambidou”—a rather flamboyant cooking implement. He was charming, approachable, and evidently far too talented for his own good. If you ever need someone to elevate your dinner party from mundane to magnificent, Niklas is your man.
3. Creating the Spark: The Log-Throwing Chronicles
In an opening scene destined for culinary history, our resident tree surgeon, Matt, was given his TV debut. He was given the rather critical task of tossing a log onto the fire to generate a spark. Easy enough, you’d think. However, after half an hour of him hurling wood about like a lumberjack on a mission, we were left wondering if this was a cooking show or the start of a new Olympic event.
4. Getting Paid to Eat: The Dream Job
Is there a more delightful scenario than being served a lavish fire-cooked meal in the great outdoors while being paid for the privilege? The only snag? Having to wait for the cameras to roll before you could dig in. It’s a bit like being a child at a birthday party, staring at the cake but being told you can’t have a slice until the photos are done. Utterly torturous.
5. Leaving Before Dessert: The Regrettable Exit
And then we come to the soufflé, which, in true dramatic fashion, decided to be temperamental in the woodfired oven. When it became clear I had to leave before dessert was served, I felt a twinge of regret—missing out on the grand finale. Did it rise to the occasion, or was it a flat disappointment? Alas, I had to wait a whole five months until the show aired in April to find out.
So there you have it, folks. “Nomadic Dinners” on MasterChef S20E20 is a delightful blend of culinary antics and woodland whimsy. You can catch all the hilarity on BBC iPlayer—because nothing quite says “British humour” like freezing temperatures and unlimited burgers.
