EXCITEMENT is mounting at Hipping Hall Hotel as the establishment’s chef Oli Martin battles on in the BBC show ‘Masterchef: The Professionals.’

Oli, 30, who is originally from Lytham, joined the Kirkby Lonsdale hotel in 2013 and became head chef the following year.

The Westmorland Gazette: Masterchef's Monica Galetti and Gregg WallaceMasterchef's Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace

His appearances on the hugely popular show have gone well so far and he is continuing to compete against other top class chefs as the programme reaches its final stages.

And having made it through so far, everyone at Hipping Hall is keeping their fingers crossed for Oli and will be following his progress on next week’s programmes, which will be screened on BBC2 at 8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (December 4-6).