Celebrity Masterchef finalists reveal their highs and lows in the famous kitchen

After six weeks of toughing it out there are just three celebrities remaining with a shot at taking the Celebrity MasterChef title. The three are TV and Radio Presenter, Craig Doyle; Actor, Rochenda Sandall and Professional Dancer and former Strictly star Vito Coppola.

Everything they have worked for will come down to their ability to dazzle the judges with their Ultimate Dinner Party Menu. Two courses, a main and dessert, that deliver on every front, including creativity, technique, taste and presentation.

Here they speak about their highs and lows in the famous kitchen...

Craig Doyle:

What has been your high point of the series so far?

"The first time I walked into the iconic kitchen, it was like stepping into the television, loved it. Then cooking a meal from my memories of my Dad, liver and onions.

"I didn’t care if the lads liked it, I was so happy to do something to remember Dad who loved cooking and would have been so proud of me on the show."

READ MORE: Lorraine Kelly has viewers begging to know where to buy her leopard print dress

READ MORE: Molly-Mae Hague reaches out to Tommy Fury's family after surprise split

How does it feel to be in the final three? Did you expect it?

"I didn’t dare think about making the finals, but that darn kitchen is addictive. You want more and more, so making it to the end is amazing. To be honest I’ve forgotten what life was life before MasterChef. It’s like, this is what I do now, cook for a bald guy and an Aussie chap."

What has been the biggest challenge?

"Being organised. My cooking is so chaotic and messy, complete carnage at times."

What is the biggest thing you’ve learnt from Celebrity MasterChef?

"Getting my timings right, keeping my area clean and I have now got so much confidence in my cooking thanks to the show. It’s had such a positive impact on my life."

Who do you think is your biggest competition in the final three?

"Both of them, Rochenda is brave and creative and classy when she cooks. Vito does proper Italian home cooking so well. It’s like his Nonna is on his shoulder guiding him. They are both fantastic.

What are your fears for the final? Do you have anything you are particularly worried about?

"Everything needs to be perfect. I rarely get it all right and my menu has so much in it, so many elements and different skills and techniques. It’s my biggest challenge yet.

"I have always used cooking as a way of escaping stress and my own head when things get too busy in there. I have terrible problems focusing and concentrating, but in the kitchen I go into a really calm happy place.

"Opening that place up to judgment and criticism makes me nervous."

Rochenda Sandall:

What has been your high point of the series so far?

"Cooking for the previous competitors. It’s such a hard round and the last of the heats, so very stressful."

How does it feel to be in the final three? Did you expect to get so far?

"Not at all, I didn’t want to leave first, so getting anywhere after that was a bonus."

What’s been the biggest challenge?

"The time constraints. It’s so hard to prep set up and plate a dish in the times of each round."

What is the biggest thing you’ve learnt from Celebrity MasterChef?

"Time management and preparation is key to cooking success."

Who do you think is your biggest competition in the final three?

"Vito – his ingredients are some that I had never seen before and he’s an absolutely fabulous baker. Craig is such a hearty cook, his food is always so full of flavour and makes you want to go back for seconds and thirds."

What are your fears for the final? Is there anything you are worried about?

"Now I’ve got to the final three I’m so happy for everyone. We should all be proud of ourselves. We’ve learnt and achieved so much in such a short amount of time.

"To top it all off everyone has been fabulous – on and off screen."

Vito Coppola:

What has been your high point of the series so far?

"My quarter-final dish. That day was special. It was just the perfect atmosphere, and I prepared my mum’s scaloppine, which made me feel more confident.

"Something switched in me that day. I remember that I looked at the sky before I got into the kitchen and there was a different, very beautiful light. I will always remember it with a big smile."

Did you expect to get so far?

"I never imagined at the beginning of this amazing journey that I could have been in the final. I always wanted to make my family proud and I was hoping to deliver good and tasty food. Being here just doesn’t feel real. I have constantly to pinch myself. I am so, so grateful."

What has been the biggest challenge?

"If I have to pick one time I was under pressure it was during the semi-final for the “Dish of Indulgence” challenge. Even the judges were concerned about my choice to make an entire cake. But when John [Torode] cut and lifted the first piece up and I saw that it didn’t fall apart, it was like a 10 from our Strictly judges! I am not going to lie, I got emotional and I had tears of happiness in my eyes."

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned from Celebrity MasterChef?

"Thanks to MasterChef I have got to know myself better. I have experimented and discovered new sides of me. It pushed me completely out from my comfort zone and brought much more confidence. Food is for me the biggest pleasure in life, but MasterChef is not just about cooking. I had the possibility to discover myself, test myself, challenge myself and mostly be proud of myself."

Who do you think is your biggest competition in the final three?

"Since the beginning MasterChef has been a competition with myself. I always felt that the others were better than me, that’s why I am just super grateful to be here.

"Craig and Rochenda are just amazing and when I look at their dishes my jaw is literally on the floor. They are both such fantastic cooks and the way they present the dishes is just wow! I am just super happy and lucky to have the pleasure to be in the Final Three with them."

Do you have anything you are particularly worried about for the final?

"This is really a mix of feelings. I know I will keep saying to myself: “Vito, you’ve got this.” I need to prepare and in there, to manifest the energy of my family to stay with me, so I don’t feel alone. And my cooking reflects my family and my region so I need to do it justice."