A 25-YEAR-old from Stockton Heath whose passion for cooking is ‘in his blood’ has made it to the quarter finals on BBC’S Masterchef: The Professionals.

Liam Rogers appeared on Monday’s episode and was up against three other chefs where he was described as ‘the pick of the bunch’.

Tonight, Friday, he aims for a place in the semi-finals

The four contestants competed in the judge’s challenge, which consisted of each chef creating their two course signature menu, a main and a desert, in an hour and a half.

Liam, a former Bridgewater High School pupil, said: “I am buzzing to cook my own food.

“I’ve ran these dishes a few times now in my head last night while I was in the hotel.

“If I can get them right, it is going to be a winner.”

Liam's passion for cooking was inspired by his dad and helped him out from a young age at Tom at 101 which his dad used to run.

He then headed to Warrington Collegiate to study catering and hospitality where he got the best marks in the college for his level three course.

All that experience helped Liam take to Masterchef and serve up roast loin of venison, wilted spinach, venison bonbon, girolles, beetroot ketchup, beetroot syrup and pork jus for his main.

Warrington Guardian:

Picture: BBC iPlayer

Judge Gregg Wallace said: “It is a very pretty, very stylised plate.

“The venison is a little under for me, but I wouldn’t send it back.

“I love this bonbon.

“You are showing some really good technique here.”

While judge Marcus Wareing complimented Liam’s girolles and judge Monica Galetti complimented the venison.

For dessert, Liam, former senior chef de partie at two star Michelin restaurant, Sat Bains, Nottingham, showcased a set calamansi and lime curd, chopped with raspberry gel, torched Italian meringues, fresh raspberries, lime zest, lemon balm and a shortbread crumb.

All three judges were impressed with Liam’s efforts with Gregg describing the pudding as ‘beautifully made’ and Marcus complimenting the presentation.

Warrington Guardian:

Picture: BBC iPlayer

The show ended with two out of four contestants leaving – with Liam heading through to the quarter finals.

In discussion, Gregg described Liam as ‘a very serious young man’ who has got ‘cookery know-how’.

Gregg added: “He was my pick of the bunch.”

Liam said: “I’m buzzing to get through to the next round.

“I’m expecting it to get a lot tougher.

“What comes, comes.

“There is only one person that can get me to the next round.

“Yeah, I’m definitely up for it.”

The quarter final will air this evening, Friday, at 8:30pm.