One of the downsides of being a ‘tree nerd’ is that your silvological knowledge can obstruct enjoyment of light entertainment. You can’t forgive serried ranks of Sitka Spruce featuring in Robin Hood (the species was introduced to Britain many centuries later), while any species or botanical part wrongly described can earn your ire. Recently, factual errors in the BBC’s Masterchef: The Professionals triggered me.
In the 2026 BBC series of MasterChef: The Professionals (Series 18 | Episode 20), the finalists travel to South Tyrol, Italy, to work with chef-patron Norbert Niederkofler at his three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Atelier Moessmer. The finalist chefs must embrace Niederkofler’s ‘Cook the Mountain’ philosophy, which focuses on sustainability, hyper-local Alpine ingredients, while cooking in harmony with nature. The finalists forage for ingredients in the mountainous region and join Niederkofler’s brigade for a high-pressure lunch service. The chefs are tasked with producing dishes inspired by the landscape, including risotto flavoured with pine oil, and pine-smoked catfish. Indeed, ‘pine’ features very strongly throughout the programme.
Regrettably, the BBC illustrated the recipes not with images of pine, but other conifer species, most likely spruce or larch. How is it possible to tell? Among all conifers, pine is among the easiest to identify because its needles are bundled in pairs or even in bundles of five. Time and again in the programme, the finalist chefs are shown handling shoots which are not pine.
The programme is available to watch on the BBC iplayer here. As an example of the flora faux par, watch from 31:42 as one of the contestants snips up some larch shoots.
Atelier Moessmer was approached for comment, and confirmed that several conifer species are used in recipes, including: Silver Fir, Larch, Swiss Pine and other pine shoots, and Spruce. In terms of the programme, a spokesperson from Atelier Moessmer said:
“In order to keep the episode within the required time limits, some parts were naturally left out — in particular, certain details related to the mushrooms and also the pine topic. These were rather specific and technical aspects, which we assume the BBC ultimately decided not to include, and of course we fully respect that editorial choice.”
Atelier Moessmer
The BBC has also been approached for comment.
Main conifer species growing near Brunico, Italy
The main conifer species growing in forests around Brunico are:
Norway Spruce Picea abies
The most widespread tree in the Alps, often forming large, even-aged stands. Dominates mid-elevation forests (roughly 800–1800 m).
European Larch Larix decidua
A distinctive deciduous conifer (loses its needles in winter). Common in open woods, pastures, and higher elevations.
Silver Fir Abies alba
Occurs in mixed montane forests with spruce. More common in slightly warmer, moister sites.
Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris
A hardy, pioneer species found growing on drier, sunnier slopes and valley sides. Its needles are bundled in pairs of two needles in a papery sheath known as a ‘fascicle’.
Mountain Pine Pinus mugo
A low, shrubby pine forming dense thickets near treeline. Very common on slopes, scree, and harsh sites. Needles are also bundled in pairs.
Swiss Stone Pine Pinus cembra
Typical of the subalpine zone (≈1800–2400 m). Often forms open, long-lived high-elevation stands. Needles are bundles in fives.
You may wonder why I feel qualified to comment on this. I have one tree guide coming out this April (RSPB Trees of the British Isles), and another due for publication in early 2027 with Bloomsbury Wildlife.
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