LOUISE Lyons Macleod has put her love of cooking into action on the latest series of MasterChef.
The farmer has managed to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace as she's secured herself a place in the final.
Who is MasterChef 2024 finalist Louise Lyons Macleod?
Louise Lyons Macleod has wowed viewers through the most recent series of MasterChef.
She has used her usual job as a farmer to try to be sustainable and incorporate this into her cooking.
The mum of one is originally from Exmoor National Park but grew up in Staffordshire.
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She is married to a military helicopter pilot called Ally and they have an eight-year-old daughter, Ophelia.
Talking about her farming background, Louise said: "I now run a 25-acre farm.
"I specialise in breeding and rearing native rare breed animals and have breeding programmes in place for pigs, sheep, goats and various poultry.
"As much as possible, I try to be sustainable and follow regenerative agriculture principles, allowing the animals to range freely and live in herds as naturally as possible for the benefit of the land."
What is Louise Lyons Macleod's cooking background?
Louise has made her passion for cooking clear.
She has been whipping up impressive dishes since she started walking.
She's had multiple family members inspire her cooking - with her mum preparing family meals with her, her dad taking her fishing, and her grandmother teaching her tips and tricks.
Talking about her inspiration, Louise said: "All of my family are super keen cooks.
"My parents taught me to experiment from a young age and I’ve always carried that with me.
"My biggest passion has always been the produce that we have in the UK.
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"We are lucky to have true seasonality and the best farmers in the world."
What has Louise Lyons Macleod said about MasterChef?
Louise has said that she was encouraged to apply for MasterChef due to it being five years since she had cancer.
Her family and friends had been encouraging her but she had the final push when she realised she was reaching such a big milestone.
I’ve been the biggest fan of the show forever and it’s the only TV show I religiously watch.
Louise Lyons Macleod
She has opened up about being diagnosed with cancer when her daughter was 18 months old, saying her "world imploded".
Louise has described reaching the finals as "a dream come true".
She said: "I’m utterly thrilled to get through to the finals! It’s a dream come true.
"I’ve been the biggest fan of the show forever and it’s the only TV show I religiously watch.
"It’s been a joy to cook for John and Gregg. They are as lovely as I had imagined."
Who is in the MasterChef 2024 final?
Louise is joined by three others in the MasterChef final.
The foursome made it through to the finals after creating a dish inspired by a past contestant in the semi-finals.
In finals week, they will be battling across two episodes on Monday, May 21, and Tuesday, May 22, 2024, after which one will be eliminated.
The final three will then cook a three-course meal on Wednesday, with one crowned the MasterChef 2024 champion.
Here's who Louise is going head-to-head with...
Brin Pirathapan
Brin Pirathapan is a vet from Essex.
He battled his way through to the semi-finals where he cooked a dish inspired by previous contestant Omar Foster.
He served a lamb loin coated in cocoa powder served with lamb shank bonbons, butternut squash puree, and chocolate and chilli sauce.
Chris Willoughby
Circus performer Chris Willoughby has also secured himself a place in the finals.
He cooked a collection of Mexican desserts in the semi-finals.
His dish included honey-roasted crickets.
Gregg described his pud - inspired by 2005 contestant Thomasina Miers - as "totally alarming and totally wonderful".
Abi Kempley
Abi Kempley from Leeds is also trying her best to lift the 2024 MasterChef trophy.
Her inspiration for cooking comes from Asia.
In the semi finals she cooked a dish inspired by Tim Anderson, saying she was 11 when he won in 2011.
She made a butter and ginger baked haddock, a smoked haddock scallop moose and potted prawn ballotine, as well as a miso beurre blanc and mussels.
Abi was just 21 during filming of the series.
How to watch MasterChef 2024
You can tune in to watch finals week of MasterChef 2024 from Monday, May 20, 2024.
The show airs each evening at 8pm on BBC One, with the final episode being on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
If you want to catch up on previous episodes then you can watch the full series on BBC iPlayer.
