A PHARMACIST said she was overwhelmed to make it the semi-finals of BBC One’s Masterchef.

Blackburn pharmacy owner Moonira Hinglotwala, 39, wowed hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode with her Italian dish which was described by John as the best she had cooked in the competition so far.

In a cook-off, the contestants were tasked to cook an ‘outstanding’ Italian dish for renowned chef Theo Randall. The mum-of-two cooked a vanilla and saffron panna cotta with a lemon polenta cake and semolina crumb.

The idea was inspired by her love for panna cotta, which her own mother used to make for Moonira when she was a child.

Theo said: “The panna cotta is just unbelievable. It’s absolutely brilliant.”

Gregg described the dish as ‘stunning’. He said: “You have stretched the concept of Italy to as far as India as you can but it’s done very nicely.” Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph after the show, Moonira said: “I’m overwhelmed, excited and relieved. It was amazing to get the comments from the judges.”

The final eight contestants will feature on BBC One tonight from 8pm.