Bites: Cogitated, digested... spat out?

The announcement that Masterchef is moving from the quiet backwater of BBC2 to the grand rapids of BBC1 could attract new fans. At that time of year when the cookery show dominates the schedules, culinary groupies huddle around to pick apart the contestants' menus. ("Ooh, I wouldn't have put oysters and steak on the same plate.") The most recent series ended with Mat Follas (pictured), who endlessly wept into his apron, clinching it with a spider-crab thermidor.

Mat's dream of opening a restaurant in Dorset has fallen prey to the credit crunch (since winning the title last month, he's been back at work as an IT engineer). But we reality-show rubber-neckers can celebrate after news broke last week that Raymond Blanc of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons has been in touch with Mat to "go through his employment options". We may yet get the chance to go to a restaurant and gawk at "that bloke off the telly", before rushing home to apply for the next series. (Quick, get on to Masterchefgoeslarge.tv!)