TOP chef James Villiers is flying high after making it through to the semi-final of Masterchef: The Professionals.

The 33-year-old is one of only eight chefs left in the popular cookery show after making his way through the early heats and knockout rounds.

However James says the competition is getting tougher and he has been impressed by his fellow contestants.

James, who works at the Ginger Dog in College Place, Kemp Town, Brighton, worked with four other Thursday night’s show to create a special meal for the French Ambassador and guests.

His role was to help create a starter of fish with mussels and beurre blanc sauce.

Back in the Masterchef kitchen the finalists had to come up with a dish of their own.

James created a dish he called “frustration” which included venison, blackberries and beetroot.

Judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galleti were not overly impressed with the dish, but felt James had done well enough to go through because they wanted to see more of what his creations.

Speaking to The Argus James said: “I think we gelled very well when we worked as a team and the food we produced was good. The group I was with were great people.

“With my second dish I was aiming for something quirky and different and a bit out there but Marcus Wareing really didn’t get what I was going for and didn’t like it, although he liked the flavours and the combinations.

“I did get emotional at his reaction because I’d put everything I had into it and it was disappointing.

“However it was great to hear them talking afterwards and saying I had something.

“Knowing people like that still faith in me is awesome and now it’s fingers crossed for this week.”

James, from Uckfield, is married to Chantel, 33, and has a daughter, Alexandra, three.

He has been a professional chef for 15 years and decided to enter the show because he felt it was his time to shine, get out there and show what he could do.

Masterchef: The Professionals continues on BBC 2 tomorrow night at 8pm.