It's the quarter-final stage of top-rated BBC show MasterChef: The Professionals tonight - featuring Philli Armitage-Mattin a former north Herts student.

Popular Philli, already proved a hit with viewers earlier in the week when she won through he opening round after impressing judges with her style.

Philli, 28, who grew up in Welwyn Garden City but also studied at St. Francis' College in Letchworth, is well on the way to becoming a household name after she stood out in her heat earlier this week.

Speaking ahead of the show, the talented chef who cooks with culinary flair said: "It feels amazing to be a quarter-finalist.

"It's very stressful but I'm really looking forward to pushing myself even further."

The show features acclaimed restaurant owner and formidable chef Monica Galletti and chef, author and restauranteur Marcus Wareing run the rule over contestants aiming to lift the coveted title.

Set a series of culinary skills tests under the watchful eye of presenter Greg Wallace, the highly-rated chef excelled in a pressure cooker environment earlier this week to win through to tonight's phase - where Philli and her three rivals will be judged on two challenges designed to test them to their limits.

They will have to design a dish from scratch featuring one key ingredient, before cooking for two of the country's most discerning food critics.

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Only the best will earn a place in the semi-finals on the 13th season of the much-loved BBC show watched by many millions.

Watch Philli on tonight from 9pm.

Read Nub News for updates on north Herts Masterchef contestant Philli