HEAD chef James Villiers says he is proud to be “flying the flag for Brighton” as the knock-out week of top cookery show Masterchef: The Professionals returns tomorrow.

The 33-year-old is one of 12 chefs to get through from the heats and says he has been massively impressed by the cooking skills of his rivals.

James, who works at the Ginger Dog in College Place, Kemp Town, Brighton, narrowly missed out on being joined by fellow Brighton chef Mark Wadsworth, who was knocked out of the show last Thursday evening.

Mark, 29, who runs a pop-up restaurant in the city, impressed judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti with his skills test in the first round when he had to make Galetti’s recipe of a nougatine with white chocolate green tea mousse and coulis.

He also sailed through the re-invention test with his take on a banana crumble, which Wareing described as “absolutely sensational.”

However Mark ran into problems when it came to cooking for critics Jay Rayner, Grace Dent and Tracey MacLeod.

His steamed turbowase praised, with Rayner calling it a "grown-up piece of fish cookery” while Wareing said it did not look great but the flavours worked.

But they were less impressed with the raspberry rose and meringue millefeuille, which they felt was too sweet.

James said: “I’m sorry he didn’t make it and it is bad luck for him as he made some really good dishes but at the end of the day it is a competition and people get knocked out.

“I am pleased to have made it through and to be flying the flag for Brighton.”

James, who is married with two children and lives in Uckfield, said he was feeling a bit daunted by the calibre of the other finalists.

He said: “I just feel really privileged to be cooking with these people and I’ve been blown away by what they have been creating. It really does put the pressure on.”

Masterchef: The Professionals, continues on BBC2 tomorrow at 8pm.