MASTERCHEF viewers have felt their tummies turn after one contestant served up dead INSECTS on a cake.
In a desperate bid to make it to finals week, circus performer Chris pulled out all the stops with his wacky Mexican-themed creation.
But after presenting it to the MasterChef judges, Gregg Wallace described the pud as “totally alarming”.
This year’s five remaining semi-finalists had been challenged with creating a dish inspired by past contestant.
Chris called upon 2005 winner Thomasina Miers, who is known for her insect-laden Mexican street food, for his inspiration.
As a result, he handed the judges a cake topped with a sprinkling of dead crickets that had been roasted in honey.
MasterChef fans couldn’t believe their eyes, with one writing on X: “Not sure about the honey roasted crickets!”
Another added: “Someone on #Masterchef has just used crickets in his dish!”
And a third remarked: “Everyone else is playing checkers and Chris is playing 4D chess.”
Chris, who has already made a name for himself for his unusual dishes, made a three milk cake – cooked with evaporated, condensed and Jersey milk – topped with a corn Crema and honey roasted crickets.
He served it alongside Mangonada sorbet, prickly pear jelly, dragonfruit cubes, deep fried tequila churros and meringue flavoured with a Mexican drink called Horchata.
After hearing about his dish, judge Gregg remarked: “Honey roasted crickets.
“Well, of course… everybody’s favourite pub snack that is.”
He then warned: “The thing is with invention, it can be an absolutely wonderful surprise. But it can also fall flat on its face.”
Chris’s dish, however, did not fall flat on its face – even with the addition of roasted crickets – and he was put through to the final.
Judge John Torode told him: “You are one original cook. This is really right out there.”
Gregg added: “Totally alarming and totally wonderful. The most wonderful thing is the chilli and salt across a mango lolly.
“I really like that three milk cake. The cricket, when I bite down on it, it’s honey with a little bit of pepperiness to follow.
“I shouldn’t expect anything less than shocking, but you make shocking work and I am a fan.”
Next week, Chris and his fellow three MasterChef finalists will be put through their paces before a winner is crowned.
The budding cooks will even enjoy a trip to Singapore during the week-long finals, where they will really put their skills to the test.
