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Into the kitchen and under the spotlight. Amateur cooks duel it out for the right to be called the MasterChef UK Champion. Initially named Masterchef Goes Large, the series changed its name to Masterchef in 2008.
2005
2007
2006
Anna Haugh
Self - Judge
Grace Dent
Self - Judge
2009
John Torode and Gregg Wallace search for the country's next star chef. In this heat, six contestants will face three high-pressure tests. First, they will be asked to invent a dish from scratch and survive the heat of a professional kitchen. Finally, they will have to impress the judges with a two-course meal that shows they have flair, skill and the potential to make it as a great chef.
2008
Restaurateur John Torode and fruit and veg man Gregg Wallace look for the country's next masterchef. The contestants have been picked from hundreds of applicants and will face three tests. First, they will invent a dish from scratch in 40 minutes using only the ingredients they've been given. Next, they will help in Luciano's restaurant over a lunchtime service. And finally, they will create a two course meal for the judges.
2010
Top chef and restaurateur John Torode, and food writer and ingredients expert Gregg Wallace are searching for the country's best amateur cook. The first batch of contestants, picked from thousands of hopeful amateurs, face three high-pressure tests to see who has the passion, the skill and the creativity to make it to the quarter-finals. In the first heat the contestants face the pressure of the professional kitchen in Italian restaurant Dolada, and in the second they have to master British classics at Rotunda. Finally, they must get to grips with modern Spanish tapas at Iberica. Only the best will make it through, taking them one step closer to becoming the next MasterChef...
This time, the contestants are cooking at Asia De Cuba at St Martins Lane Hotel. Can they keep their cool and stand the pace of this frantic kitchen? Next, they will have to impress the judges with a two-course meal that shows they have flair, skill and the potential to make it as a great chef. Only one of them will get through to the quarter-final and come one step closer to becoming MasterChef.
This time, the contestants are cooking at Wahaca. Can they keep their cool and stand the pace of this frantic kitchen? Later, they will have to impress the judges with a two-course meal that shows they have flair, skill and the potential to make it as a great chef. Only one of them will go through to the quarter-final and one step closer to becoming MasterChef.
In this double-length episode comprising a heat and a quarter-final, contestants will face three high-pressure tests. They have to design an exceptional meal that will impress the judges, but before that, they must prove their food knowledge. The previous heats have produced four exceptional cooks, but only one of them will make it through to become a semi-finalist.
Six contestants, picked from thousands of hopeful amateurs, will face three high-pressure tests. First they have to invent a dish from scratch in 50 minutes, using only the ingredients they've been given. Next, the three contestants who've shown the most potential will have to survive the heat of the professional kitchen at the restaurant Prism. Finally, they will have to impress the judges with a two course meal that shows they have flair, skill and the potential to make it as a great chef. Only one of them will get through to the quarter-final.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. Six contestants, picked from thousands of hopeful amateurs, will face three high-pressure tests. First they have to invent a dish from scratch in 50 minutes, using only the ingredients they've been given. Next, the three contestants who've shown the most potential will have to survive the heat of the professional kitchen at The Pacific Oriental. Finally, they will have to impress the judges with a two course meal that shows they have flair, skill and the potential to make it as a great chef. Only one of them will get through to the quarter-final.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. Six contestants, picked from thousands of hopeful amateurs, will face three high-pressure tests. First they have to invent a dish from scratch in 50 minutes, using only the ingredients they've been given. Next, the three contestants who've shown the most potential will have to survive the heat of the professional kitchen at Delfina. Finally, they will have to impress the judges with a two course meal that shows they have flair, skill and the potential to make it as a great chef. Only one of them will get through to the quarter-final.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this double-length episode comprising a heat and quarter-final, contestants will face three high-pressure tests: inventing a dish from scratch, cooking at Las Iguanas and creating a two course meal to impress the judges. Those who make it through to the quarter-final must prove their knowledge and passion for food. The heats have produced four exceptional cooks, but only one of them will make it through today to become a semi-finalist.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this heat, contestants will face three high-pressure tests: inventing a dish from scratch, cooking in the fast-paced professional kitchen of Suka at the Sanderson Hotel and creating a two course meal to impress the judges. Only one of them will get through to the forthcoming quarter-final and one step closer to becoming Masterchef.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this heat, contestants will face three high-pressure tests: inventing a dish from scratch, cooking in the fast-paced professional kitchen of the Charlotte Street Hotel and creating a two course meal to impress the judges. Only one of them will get through to the forthcoming quarter-final and one step closer to becoming Masterchef.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this heat, contestants will face three high-pressure tests: inventing a dish from scratch, cooking in the fast-paced professional kitchen at Sartoria and creating a two course meal to impress the judges. Only one of them will get through to the forthcoming quarter-final and one step closer to becoming Masterchef Champion.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this double-length episode comprising a heat and quarter-final, contestants face three tests: inventing a dish from scratch, cooking at Bank Westminster and creating a two course meal to impress the judges. Those who make it through to the quarter-final must prove their knowledge of and passion for food. The heats have produced four exceptional cooks, but only one will make it through to become a semi-finalist.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this heat, contestants will face three high-pressure tests: inventing a dish from scratch, cooking in the fast-paced professional kitchen of Mango Tree and creating a two-course meal to impress the judges. Only one of them will get through to the forthcoming quarter-final and one step closer to becoming Masterchef Champion.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this heat, contestants will face three high-pressure tests: inventing a dish from scratch, cooking in the fast-paced professional kitchen of wagamama and creating a two-course meal to impress the judges. Only one of them will get through to the forthcoming quarter-final and one step closer to becoming Masterchef Champion.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this heat, contestants will face three high-pressure tests: inventing a dish from scratch, cooking in the fast-paced professional kitchen of Bordeaux and creating a two-course meal to impress the judges. Only one of them will get through to the forthcoming quarter-final and one step closer to becoming Masterchef Champion.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this double-length episode comprising a heat and quarter-final, contestants face three tests: inventing a dish from scratch, cooking at Zilli Fish and creating a two-course meal to impress the judges. Those who make it through to the quarter-final must prove their knowledge of- and passion for food. The heats have produced four exceptional cooks, but only one will make it through to become a semi-finalist.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this heat six contestants will face three tests: inventing a dish from scratch in just 50 minutes, cooking at The Zetter restaurant and making a two-course meal for the judges. Only one of them will make it through to become a quarter-finalist.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this heat, six contestants face three tests: inventing a dish from scratch in just 50 minutes, cooking at the La Porte Des Indes restaurant and making a two-course meal for the judges. Only one of them will make it through to become a quarter-finalist.
ohn Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this heat, six contestants face three tests: inventing a dish from scratch in just 50 minutes, cooking at L'Autre Pied and making a two-course meal for the judges. Only one of them will make it through to become a quarter-finalist.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace are looking for the country's next star chef. In this double-length episode comprising a heat and quarter-final, contestants face three tests: inventing a dish from scratch, cooking at Stanza and creating a two-course meal to impress the judges. Those who make it through to the quarter-final must prove their knowledge of and passion for food. The heats have produced four exceptional cooks, but only one will make it through to become a semi-finalist.
Three contestants from the 2008 series are back to have another shot at the MasterChef title. But as they have been here before, things get tougher; this time they have to survive an 18-hour shift in professional kitchens. First they are off to Brunello restaurant at the Baglioni Hotel for breakfast service and then it is straight to Kensington Place for evening service. Who has the endurance and the skill to make it? Only the best will go through to the quarter-final.
Three contestants from the 2008 series are back to have another shot at the MasterChef title. But as they have been here before, things get tougher; this time they have to survive an 18-hour shift in professional kitchens. First they are off to Bistro One Ninety at the Gore Hotel for breakfast service and then it is straight to The Park Restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for evening service. Who has the endurance to make it? Only the best will go through to the quarter-final.
Three contestants from the 2008 series are back to have another shot at the MasterChef title. But as they have been here before, things get tougher; this time they have to survive an 18-hour shift in professional kitchens. First they are off to Spicers in the Crowne Plaza Hotel for breakfast service and then it is straight to Villandry for evening service. Who has the endurance and the skill to make it? Only the best will go through to the quarter-final.
Three contestants from the 2008 series are back to have another shot at the MasterChef title. But as they have been here before, things get tougher; this time they have to survive an 18-hour shift in professional kitchens. First they are off to Galvin at Windows at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel for breakfast service, and then it is straight to the Oxo Tower Restaurant for evening service. Only the best will go through to the quarter-final, where the four comeback contestants battle it out for the last remaining place in the semi-finals.
It is the first semi-final and all six hopefuls are back. They only have one shot at staying in the competition because at the end of this show two of them will be sent home. The challenge is to cook one perfect, memorable, well-executed dish from the same raw ingredient - a chicken.
Things are about to get a lot tougher for the four remaining semi-finalists as they face their first real test in the professional world. They are sent to the Port Talbot Steel Works in South Wales where they have to cater for over 600 hungry steel workers. Working in teams to create and produce the most popular menus, who will get their food out on time and who will sell the most?
The four semi-finalists' fine-dining skills are put to the test when they have to create a four-course menu and cater for an exclusive dinner party hosted at the Institute of Directors.
The four semi-finalists are sent to four different restaurants to fine-tune their skills. Then they have to cook a two-course meal for three of the country's harshest restaurant critics. There is everything to play for because at the end of the show one contestant is sent home.
It's the final week of MasterChef. Three of the best amateur cooks in the country remain - by the end of the week one of them will be crowned MasterChef Champion 2009. The three remaining contestants have to cater for the British Army under some of the harsh field conditions. First they are flown to the Highlands of Scotland where they have to cook lunch, over a fire-pit and oil-drum oven, for 30 soldiers from the Black Watch. They then return to army HQ to cater a three course dinner for the regiment's top brass at Fort George.
It's the final week of Masterchef and the three finalists face their most daunting task to date - catering for the 450 strong Royal Household at Buckingham Palace during the busiest period of the palace's calendar - the summer exhibition of the State rooms. Will they be able to handle the pressure of catering at this most famous of Royal Palaces?
It is the penultimate test for the three Masterchef finalists. The contestants face two daunting challenges - cooking a 60,000 pounds three-course dinner for 200 specially invited guests at the opening night of the world famous Burghley Horse Trials. Then they have to cook for eight of the world's best chefs who hold 16 Michelin stars between them. Guests include the GB Olympic team and World Eventing Champion Zara Phillips.
It is the final and everything the three contestants have learnt over the past few weeks will now be put to the test. For the final baptism of fire, they travel to three of Europe's finest Michelin-starred restaurants in France, Copenhagen and San Sebastian to cook a busy lunch service at the highest level. After this, they return to Masterchef HQ to cook John and Gregg their final, sublime three-course meal. By the end one of them will walk away Masterchef Champion 2009.
Restaurateur John Torode and fruit and veg man Gregg Wallace look for the country's next masterchef. The contestants will face three tests. First, they will invent a dish from scratch in forty minutes using only the ingredients they've been given. Next, they will help in the Mocoto restaurant over a lunchtime service. And finally, they will create a two course meal for the judges.
Restaurateur John Torode and radio presenter Gregg Wallace host as six new contestants are put through gruelling culinary challenges
Six more contestants will face heats and one will go through to the quarter-finals.
Restaurateur John Torode and radio presenter Gregg Wallace host as six new contestants are put through gruelling culinary challenges
Restaurateur John Torode and radio presenter Gregg Wallace host as six new contestants are put through gruelling culinary challenges
Three contestants have to survive the heat of a professional kitchen. Today they are cooking at The Royal Automobile Club. Can they keep their cool and stand the pace of this frantic kitchen?
The three contestants who have shown the most potential will have to survive the heat of a professional kitchen. The three remaining contestants have to cook at the Derrion Farrell kitchen.
The three contestants who have shown the most potential will have to survive the heat of a professional kitchen. This time, they are cooking at the Automat in London
The three contestants who have shown the most potential will be thrown into the kitchens of the Kazan restaurant.
In this hour long episode, another finalist will be chosen. The week's four finalists will then compete for a place in the semi finals.
The three contestants who have shown the most potential will be thrown into the kitchens of the Le Pont de la Tour
The three contestants who have shown the most potential will be thrown into the kitchens of the Gilgamesh restaurant.
The three contestants who have shown the most potential will be thrown into the kitchens of Mosimann's restaurant.
In this hour long episode, another finalist will be chosen. The week's four finalists will then compete for a place in the semi finals.
The contestants must cook at the Shish restaurant
Contestants will cook at the Mosaico restaurant.
The chefs cook at the Larder restaurant
In an hour long episode, a finalist will be chosen. They will then battle the week's other three winners to create the best two course meal.
Three previous contestants return for another shot at the title. But they've been here before, so this time things are tougher: they have to survive an 18-hour shift in a professional kitchen. First they are off to City Café for breakfast service, and then it's straight to Simpsons in the Strand for evening service. Who has the endurance and the skill to make it? Only the best will go through to the quarter final.
Three previous contestants return for another shot at the title. But they've been here before, so this time things are tougher: they have to survive an 18-hour shift in a professional kitchen. First they are off to The Goring for breakfast service and then it's straight to Artisan for evening service. Who has the endurance and the skill to make it? Only the best will go through to the quarter final.
Three previous contestants return for another shot at the title. But they've been here before, so this time things are tougher: they have to survive an 18-hour shift in a professional kitchen. First they are off to Refuel at The Soho Hotel for breakfast service, and then it's straight to Bluebird for evening service. Who has the endurance and the skill to make it? Only the best will go through to the quarter final.
Three previous contestants return for another shot at the title. But they ve been here before, so this time things are tougher: they have to survive an 18-hour shift in a professional kitchen. First they are off to Roast for breakfast service, and then it's straight to Browns for evening service. Who has the endurance and the skill to make it? Only the best will go through to the quarter final.
It’s the first semi final and six hopefuls are back. Two will be sent home. The contestants are challenged to create a dish using chicken.
The four finalists are sent to Luton and Dunstable Hospital canteen where they have to cater for 400 hungry doctors and nurses. Can they work as a team?
The four finalists have to prepare a dinner party for the Man Booker Prize judges at Charles Dickens's house.
The four finalists are sent to four different restaurants to cook a two-course meal for three of the country's toughest critics. Only three of them will survive.
Final week. The three finalists go to Rochdale to cater for the cast and crew of the BBC's drama Waterloo Road.
Final Week. The three finalists are flown to the Belizean jungle to cater for the British Army. They will then cater a dinner party.
Final Week. First, the finalists cater a luxury wedding for 120 at Blenheim Palace. Next, they return to London and at the Dorchester hotel cook a three course meal for seven chefs: Michel Roux, Yannick Alleno, Marcus Wareing, Michael Caines, Andrew Fairlie, Daniel Clifford and Mark Edwards.
The three finalists cook a meal in the studio and go to France to work in a kitchen. It's been on a gentle simmer for the past six weeks, now it reaches boiling point: 132 contestants have been reduced to three, each of whom hopes to win the title of MasterChef 2008. The shows have been as delicious as some of the dishes, although no-one will miss those dreadful shouted soundbites from John Torode and Gregg Wallace that are repeated ad nauseam in the intro. But who would ever tire of seeing them shovelling in a forkful of food, chewing thoughtfully and then asking: "Lovely, well-seasoned fish - but why did you add raspberries/kidneys/ice-cream?"
John Torode and Gregg Wallace search for the country's best amateur cook. Six more cooks face high-pressure tests, including the challenges of the Indian restaurant Zeen.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace search for the country's best amateur cook. Contestants face high-pressure tests including challenges at 1901 and Bar Trattoria Semplice.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace search for the country's best amateur cook. Contestants face high-pressure tests including challenges at the Eastside Inn and Sophie's Steakhouse.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace continue their search for the country's best amateur cook, as the winners of the week's heats battle to reach the semi-finals.
The contestants face the pressure of the professional kitchen at the Winter Garden in London, and attempt to master Indian cuisine at Moti Mahal in Covent Garden.
The contestants face the pressure of the professional kitchen at Turkish restaurant Ozer, and in the second they must master modern British cuisine at Kettners.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace continue their search for the country's best amateur cook, as the winners of the week's heats battle to reach the semi-finals.
The search for the country's best amateur cook. The contestants face the pressure of the professional kitchen at Le Pont De La Tour, and attempt to master Indian tapas at Imli.
The search for the country's best amateur cook continues. The heat winners reach the quarter final, where they must design an exceptional three course meal to impress the judges.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace continue the search for the country's best amateur cook. The semi-finalists must design an exceptional three course meal that will impress the judges.
The search for the country's best amateur cook continues, as twelve contestants face challenges at Axis in Covent Garden and Osteria Dell'Angolo.
The search for the country's best amateur cook continues, as twelve contestants face challenges at the Criterion restaurant in Piccadilly Circus and fish restaurant Catch.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace search for the country's best amateur cook. The contestants must design an exceptional three-course meal that will impress the judges.
It's comeback week and eight contestants that didn't quite make the grade last year face four high-pressure tests to see who has improved in the past twelve months.
Eight contestants who didn't quite make the grade last year attempt to qualify for the quarter-finals, before competing for the last remaining place in the semi-finals.
It's the first of the semi-finals as the eight exceptional amateur cooks who have made it from the heats, battle against each other for the first time.
Cookery challenge. The six remaining contestants face two tough challenges, including cooking a three-course lunch for 20 members of the Women's Institute.
Cookery challenge hosted by John Torode and Gregg Wallace. The five most talented cooks in the country remain. They are put through their paces as the competition gets tougher.
Cookery challenge. The four semi-finalists face just one daunting challenge - to serve their best two courses to three of the country's most renowned, and toughest, food critics.
The Final Three (1) Cookery challenge. The three remaining cooks travel to the Indian city of Jodhpur to compete in three different challenges, including one that involves cooking for royalty.
The Final Three (2) Cookery challenge. It's the penultimate test for the three finalists, as they cope with taking over a top London restaurant on a busy Friday night, and cook for chef Alain Ducasse.
The Final Three (3) Cookery challenge. It's the final and the competitors compete in three challenges, including cooking a busy lunch service at three different European Michelin starred restaurants.
2025
It's the start of the 2025 competition, bringing together the UK's best amateur cooks, but only one can win the coveted MasterChef trophy
It's the second heat of the week, where the final challenge is to cook a two-course meal for three past champions to win a place in the quarter-finals.
It's the first quarter-final, with six chefs competing for a place in knockout week. The challenge is to produce a stunning dish combining sweet and savoury ingredients.
The next group of home cooks are ready for a culinary battle in the second week of heats. The contestants will need to hit the ground running if they are to win an exclusive MasterChef apron.
This week’s second heat welcomes new hopefuls to take on the cooking competition. The contenders will need to jump straight into action as they cook off for one of the MasterChef aprons.
Grace Dent sets the brief for the quarter-finalists. They must create the perfect picnic, which has to include two savoury items and one sweet.
It's week 3 of the heats, and the latest home cooks are ready to bring their A-game to the kitchen. If they reach the standards expected of them, they could claim a MasterChef apron.
It’s the second heat of the week, and the newest cohort of brave cooks are each hoping to win one of the four MasterChef aprons on offer – their ticket to the rest of the competition.
Esteemed food critic and writer Jimi Famurewa sets the brief for the week's quarter-final – to create a modern American classic that will make him feel like he's back in the USA.
It’s the fourth week of heats, and a fresh batch of ambitious cooks, including a fishmonger and data scientist, are ready to kick-start their MasterChef competition.
The second heat of the week launches with new contenders ready for their first taste of cooking in the MasterChef kitchen. Those who win aprons could earn a place in this week’s quarter-final.
Jay Rayner sets the brief for the week's quarter-final. He would like the cooks to make a wrap. They can fill it with their choice of ingredients, but the wrap will need to be made from scratch.
It’s the fifth and final week of the heats, and another group of home cooks take the first step towards making their culinary dreams a reality.
It's the final heat, as the last group of food-obsessed competitors go all out to try to nab one of the last three quarter-final places in this year’s competition.
It’s the last quarter-final, and the best cooks from the week’s heats are back with one thing in their sights: a place in knockout week.
Knockout week has arrived. Sixteen amateurs compete for the final ten places and the opportunity to tackle their first professional kitchen service.
Knockout week continues as the second group of eight hopefuls return to take on the competition. Those who show they mean business will earn the right to work in their first professional kitchen.
Knockout week comes to a head with just ten cooks remaining in the competition. Success could mean a place in the semi-finals, but it will take every ounce of effort to get there.
It's semi-finals time, and the challenges include catering for members of the Jane Austen Society, not to mention a descendant of the famous author!
The semi-finals continue, with the brief for the remaining six cooks set by none other than pioneer of molecular gastronomy Heston Blumenthal.
It's the last step before finals week, and the challenge for the amateurs is to cook something amazing using an ingredient they detest.
Finals week on MasterChef has arrived! Seven weeks of intense competition has seen some extraordinary competitors fall by the wayside, and now just four are left standing.
Finals week continues, and the final four get the chance to take part in one of the most exciting Chef’s Tables in MasterChef history.
This is the big one. The 21st MasterChef grand final. Weeks of hard graft have led to this moment when one of the three finalists will come out on top.
2026
It’s the first heat of this year’s competition, and six talented cooks are braced for culinary battle. Their first goal is to secure one of four gleaming MasterChef aprons.
Six more amateurs work to secure a place in this week’s quarter-final as they are put through their paces by Grace and Anna in the second heat of the week.
It's the first quarter-final, where this week’s six most talented amateurs gather to face off against each other for the first time.
A new set of incredible amateur cooks take on the MasterChef heats hoping to secure a quarter-final place. Their first task is to serve up an impressive signature dish.
A fresh set of hopeful home cooks serve up their signature dishes and precision cooking in a bid to impress the MasterChef judges and get through to the quarter-finals.
The second quarter-final is here, and the six best cooks of the week return to prove they have more culinary skill in the tank, starting with an invention test.
Heat three is upon us, which means one thing: six exciting new amateur cooks have left their home kitchens ready to compete for one of four coveted MasterChef aprons.
It’s time for the second heat of the week, with six more home cooks putting themselves in the culinary spotlight, ready to show the judges that they have what it takes.
The week closes with the third quarter-final as the six best cooks of the week return, taking on two more challenges to prove they have the nerve and skill to go even further.
It’s the last round of heats. A new batch of amateur cooks enter the MasterChef kitchen ready to show off their culinary skills, hoping to get through to the next round.
A brand new batch of amateur cooks enter the MasterChef kitchen, ready to compete in the first round and take their shot at culinary stardom.
It’s time for the week’s six best cooks to dig deep and deliver in the last quarter-final of the competition.
It’s knockout week, and there are just 14 amateur cooks left in the competition. The judges are increasing the pressure to see which contestants can hold their nerve.
Knockout week continues, and the chefs must prove themselves enough to make it into their first professional kitchen.
Knockout week is coming to an end, but not before a few more cooks have to say goodbye. Ten contestants remain, and there is only room in the semi-finals for eight.
It’s semi-finals time, and the eight remaining cooks are ready to battle it out for a chance at victory. Anna and Grace ramp things up with their biggest challenges yet.
The semi-finals continue, and just seven extraordinary home cooks remain in the competition. It’s time for them to dig even deeper into their culinary books of tricks.
The semi-finals reach their end, and this is the most crucial stage of all. Which four of the five remaining cooks have what it takes to get that coveted place in Finals Week?
Six weeks of fraught competition have produced four exceptional amateur cooks, who all stand a chance of being enlisted into the MasterChef hall of fame.
The finals continue with the four finalists back in the UK, where they will be taking on their biggest task to date.
MasterChef 2026 has seen seven weeks of competition, all leading to this one moment: it’s the final, and one of the three exceptional cooks remaining will be taking home the trophy.
2011
Sizzling from the outset, the latest MasterChef fires up with a tough audition round as the hunt for the country's best amateur cook begins. With tens of thousands of applicants this year, MasterChef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace's immense task is to eat and judge a vast assortment of dishes, and then fill the 20 coveted places in this year's competition.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace continue to whittle down thousands of applicants as they search for the amateur cooks who will fill the remaining nine places in this year's competition.
With the selection process behind them, the 20 chosen candidates are shown around the new kitchen where they face their first challenge - to prepare in one hour a dish containing an egg. Those who divide John Torode and Gregg Wallace's opinion have a second chance to make it to the next round by cooking a roast dinner for Amy Willcock, national cookery judge for the Women's Institute. Continues tomorrow.
The remaining 12 contenders face a daunting challenge as they cook for previous finalists and winners of the competition, working under head chef John Torode in their first restaurant-style service. They are asked to design a stand-out dish for the three-course menu and have just 30 minutes to deliver their food once the orders have been taken. The diners include Dhruv Baker, Mat Follas, James Nathan, Steven Wallis, Peter Bayless and Thomasina Miers.
The remaining contestants must prepare a hearty lunch at the Invercharron Highland Games.
The nine remaining contestants cook for the paying public at leading London restaurants.
The contestants are stripped of meat and fish, and asked to cook a vegetarian meal.
The remaining cooks prepare a dish for the critical palate of Bertie de Rougemont.
The remaining contestants prepare a three-course meal for 150 students in Oxford.
Just five amateur cooks remain, and John Torode and Gregg Wallace give the contestants the fearful challenge of cooking for three leading restaurant critics.
With four amateur cooks remaining, and John Torode and Gregg Wallace ask the contestants to overcome their greatest weakness - pastry - and set them three pastry challenges.
The remaining contestants are sent to Madrid to learn the art of molecular gastronomy, then it's back to London to prepare a four-course extravaganza for the Royal Society.
The Final Three (1)
The Final Three (2)
The Final Three (3)
2012
MasterChef returns for its eighth series, with more fantastically talented amateur cooks who want to test their kitchen skills and take a shot at lifting the coveted MasterChef Champion title. Thousands of applications were scoured, and a short-list of the country's most talented amateur cooks were invited to cook for John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Each created a spectacular dish, which John and Gregg tasted in the isolation of the MasterChef dining room without watching the cooks themselves, their processes, techniques or skills.
It is the second of the heats, as the next eight hopefuls pick up their knives and show off their culinary skills. Who will prove that they have what it takes to line up with the successful contestants who have already made it through? First they must overcome the notorious Invention Test and prove that, in only an hour and 15 minutes, they can deliver an amazing plate of food with no planning.
It is the final heat, and the last eight hopefuls fight for the remaining coveted aprons and a place in the next round. Who will prove that they have what it takes to line up with the other contestants who have already made it through? First, they have to show off their skills in the Invention Test. With only one hour and 15 minutes to create a dish from scratch, it will mean the end of the road for two of the contestants.
MasterChef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace set a truly daunting challenge for the contestants as they continue their search for this year's best amateur cook. The remaining 12 amateur cooks have a baptism of fire as they face each other in the MasterChef kitchen for the first time. Not only do they have to be at the top of their game to ensure good food on time, but their guests for this pressure cooker of a challenge are a group of people who know exactly how high the MasterChef standards are - a selection of previous MasterChef winners and some of last year's finalists.
Only 10 contestants remain in the cookery competition, and now they must face the Great British public for the first time. Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace set the exceptionally tough task of creating fantastic food in a field. Divided into two teams of five, the contestants have their work cut out for them as they prepare an elegant lunch for 100 patrons of the Jane Austen Festival on The Royal Crescent in Bath.
MasterChef continues its eighth series, as more fantastically talented amateur cooks put their culinary skills to the test and take a shot at lifting the coveted MasterChef Champion title. The contestants have been battling to stay in the MasterChef competition, and now only the best nine remain. In this episode, judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace apply the pressure by giving last week's losing team a chance to redeem themselves. The team must once again survive the world of mass catering, and this time the five contestants have to prepare lunch for a massive 350 hungry factory workers.
Over the last few weeks the contestants have been battling to keep their place in the MasterChef kitchen, and now only the best eight remain. In this episode, judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace ask the remaining cooks to take on three cornerstones of European cuisine; they must each master the art of Italian, Spanish or French cooking. Each group begins by being given a master class by a top chef in their chosen style, a chef who has developed their reputation by being the leading advocate of that country's cuisine: Italian Francesco Mazzei of L'Anima; Ben Tish from The Salt Yard, who specialise in Spanish tapas; and Bruno Loubet, chef in his self-titled French restaurant, Bistrot Bruno Loubet.
Over the last few weeks the contestants have been battling to keep their place in the MasterChef kitchen, and now only the best seven remain. Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace encourage the remaining cooks to celebrate the produce of the British Isles. The contestants are faced with a larder packed full of ingredients: locally sourced vegetables and fruits, and produce with a Scottish emphasis, including Scottish lobster and spider crab, North Sea razor clams, North Atlantic red mullet, oysters and langoustines, and Highland beef. To judge their efforts John and Gregg are joined by Michelin-starred Edinburgh chef Tom Kitchin.
John Torode and Gregg Wallace lead the contestants in their first foray into fine dining in large numbers. They have to prepare a delectable three-course meal for over 200 guests at Middle Temple, one of the historical Inns of Court at the heart of the British legal system. Guests at the dinner include some of the most high-ranking legal figures in the land. Working under the head chef, the contestants must cook in pairs, with each team delivering one course. Then, the contestants return to the MasterChef kitchen for one more fine-dining challenge. They have 90 minutes to create two elegant courses that can proudly sit on any fine-dining menu, and this time their food will be tasted by two-Michelin-starred chef and legend Michel Roux Jr. With hearts pounding the contestants must endure their most feared and respected critic's view of their dishes before the judges decide their fate.
The pressure is mounting as the country's best five amateurs enter the seventh week of the cooking competition of their lives. John Torode and Gregg Wallace set the contestants the challenge of cooking for three leading restaurant critics. The five have to pull out all the stops as they make their own finest three courses and try to impress the hyper-critically honed palates of their guests: Charles Campion, Tracey MacLeod and Jay Rayner. With one contestant due to leave at the end of the show, the pressure is intense in the MasterChef kitchen as timings go awry, emotions take over, and dishes either explode with flavour or crash and burn.
The pressure is mounting as the country's best four amateurs continue in the seventh week of their incredible, culinary, competitive journey. The heat is on in more ways than one as judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace take the contestants to Thailand for the masterclass of a lifetime. The four are pushed to the limit as they are set an incredible series of challenges, beginning in the country's gastronomic capital, Chang Mai, amidst the bustling street food markets. The cooks are thrown in at the deep end for their first challenge - each is given a market stall to run and a popular dish to prepare, incorporating traditional Thai cooking techniques, which they must then sell to the hungry locals.
Only four exceptional amateur cooks remain in the culinary battle to become this year's MasterChef. Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace ask them to tackle one of the hardest culinary disciplines - pastry.
John and Gregg send the cooks to test their skills at the finest restaurants in Europe.
The cooks face their penultimate and most terrifying challenge - The Chef's Table.
It is the MasterChef final. One cook will be crowned as the MasterChef Champion 2012.
2019
A new series of the cookery competition begins as John Torode and Gregg Wallace return to the judging table on the hunt for the next MasterChef champion.
Seven more contestants compete as finalists from 2015 return to help John Torode and Gregg Wallace with the judging.
In this first quarter-final of the series, the six winners of the heats must impress food critic William Sitwell to keep their place in the competition.
It's the second week of heats and seven more hopefuls need to pull out all the stops to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have potential.
The seven remaining cooks must prepare an impressive menu before John and Gregg decide who has what it takes to go through to the quarter-final.
It's the quarter-final, and the six talented heat winners face a daunting test set by one of the country's toughest food critics, Grace Dent.
Seven more hopefuls pull out all the stops to prove to the judges they have what it takes as the third week of heats gets under way.
Seven more amateurs try to prove that they have what it takes in the hope of being put through to the quarter-final.
It is the quarter-final and the six heat winners continue to fight for their place.
It’s the last week of heats and even cooks compete for a place in the quarter-finals.
In the final heat, the last group of seven amateur cooks try to impress the judges.
Six talented heat winners compete in the last quarter-final. Amol Rajan challenges them to prepare their version of a classic British afternoon tea.
After four weeks of heats, the amateur cooks have been whittled down to just 16. Now they come together for the first time to cook against each other across two shows.
Knockout week continues as the 16 remaining chefs continue their high-pressure cook-off.
Knockout week continues with 12 remaining chefs vying to become semi-finalists at the end of the week.
The second group of contestants get their first taste of professional cooking at Ella Canta in Mayfair, where they will be responsible for preparing a full lunch service.
It’s the end of knockout week and the competition has now been whittled down to ten extremely talented amateur cooks.
Last week, five contestants were guaranteed a semi-finals place. Now, the other five remaining cooks fight for their place alongside them.
The nine remaining cooks battle it out in the semi-finals at Glyndebourne opera house in Sussex.
The eight remaining semi-finallists are challenged to cook a three-course lunch at Grocers Hall, home to one of the oldest companies in the City of London.
The final five are heading to the Royal Society in London, where they have the immense task of cooking a five-course tasting menu.
The final four amateur cooks embark on a culinary adventure of a lifetime in Hong Kong, where they will face three extraordinary challenges.
The final four amateur cooks face an incredible challenge, cooking alongside an internationally renowned two-Michelin-starred chef.
The finalists have to push themselves to the limit for one last time before judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace crown one of the three talented cooks the champion.
2020
Out of the thousands who applied, 60 amateur cooks have made it through to compete over five weeks of heats in the MasterChef kitchen.
Six more amateurs try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2020 MasterChef champion.
The six qualifiers from the first two heats return for the first quarter-final, hoping to win a place in Knockout Week.
It’s the second week of heats, with six more hopefuls getting their first chance to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.
The second week of heats continue with six more contestants vying to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.
It's the second quarter-final, with six heat winners returning to fight for a place in Knockout Week.
It's the third week of heats, with six more hopefuls getting their first chance to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.
The third week of heats continues with six more contestants vying to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.
It's the third quarter-final, with six heat winners returning to fight for a place in Knockout Week.
It's the fourth week of heats, with six more hopefuls getting their first chance to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.
The fourth week of heats continues with six more contestants vying to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.
It's the fourth quarter-final, with six heat winners returning to fight for a place in Knockout Week
It’s the fifth and final week of heats, with six more hopefuls getting their first chance to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.
The last group of contestants get their chance to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.
It's the last quarter-final, with six heat winners returning to fight for a place in Knockout Week.
After five weeks of fiercely competitive heats, 16 amateur cooks remain to battle it out in Knockout Week.
Knockout Week continues with the second group of eight amateur chefs put to the test.
On the final day of Knockout Week, the best ten amateur chefs remain - all of them desperate to reach the semi-finals.
The MasterChef semi-finals begin with a spectacular challenge as the contestants head to the Royal Navy base in Portsmouth.
The remaining seven contestants are surprised by a very special guest. Joining them in the MasterChef kitchen is one of the country’s best chefs, Tom Kitchin.
The remaining five chefs tackle the last challenge of the semi-finals, cooking for four of the country’s most feared restaurant critics.
It is finals week, and only four chefs remain. Tonight, they embark on a culinary adventure of a lifetime on the island of Mauritius.
The four finalists face a challenge set by the world’s greatest pastry chef, Albert Adria.
It’s the MasterChef final. After an arduous eight-week journey, the search for the country’s best amateur cook reaches its climax.
2021
In the first heat, five amateur cooks compete for two quarter-final places. This year's competition features a new round in which each cook must showcase their favourite ingredient.
Five amateur cooks compete in the second heat. To win a quarter-final place, they must impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace along with former champions Saliha Mahmood Ahmed and Kenny Tutt.
The four winners from the first week of heats return to compete in the first quarter-final. They are challenged by food critic Grace Dent to prepare a great British pudding.
Five more amateur cooks compete for places in the quarter-finals. In the first heat of the second week, they cook for former champions Irini Tzortzoglou and Jane Devonshire.
In the second heat of the second week, five more amateur cooks compete for places in the quarter-finals.
The week's four heat winners return for the quarter-final, chasing a place in knockout week. They face a Critic's Test set by one of the country’s toughest food critics, William Sitwell.
Five more amateur cooks compete for places in the quarter-finals. In the first heat of the second week, they cook for former champions Shelina Permalloo and Mat Follas.
Five more amateur cooks compete for places in the quarter-finals. In the second heat of the second week, they cook for former champion Steven Wallis and 2006 finalist Dean Edwards.
It’s the third quarter-final and the four talented heat winners return to fight for a place in the semi-final.
In the last week of heats, five more hopefuls try to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
In the last of this year's heats, five contestants cook for judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace and two previous MasterChef champions.
In the last of this year's quarter-final, four talented heat winners return to fight for a semi-final place in the Critic's Test. The challenge is to cook a dish inspired by global street food, and it will be judged by one of the country's toughest food critics, Grace Dent.
Just 10 chef's remain. Split into two groups of five, they now face the pressure of cooking in a professional kitchen for the first time.
The second group of five semi-finalists experience the pressure of a professional kitchen for the first time.
It's the last challenge of the semi-finals, and the six remaining amateurs must cook-off in front of three esteemed food critics to win a coveted place in the finals.
For the first challenge of finals week, the five finalists cook a five-course lunch at the resplendent Plaisterers Hall in the City of London.
The final four amateur cooks interpret a classic dish of their choice before the best three face a Chef's Table challenge at Michel Roux Jr's acclaimed restaurant Le Gavroche.
The final three chefs must produce the best three dishes of their lives to stand a chance of being crowned MasterChef champion 2021.
2023
Nine cooks face an audition test in which they must cook a Family Favourite dish, and an invention test. Seven will progress to the next round, and two will be eliminated.
This week’s seven remaining home cooks return to face a challenge set by food critic William Sitwell. Only four can progress to the first quarter-final.
The week's four best cooks compete in the first quarter-final, aiming to secure a place in Knockout Week. Their dishes must impress last year's MasterChef finalists.
Nine home cooks aim to progress to the next round of the competition, but they must recreate their Family Favourite dish and face the invention test. For two, their MasterChef dream will be over.
The seven remaining cooks face a challenge set by food critic Jay Rayner, in which they must create a dish using dough or batter.
It's the second quarter-final, and this week’s four most talented cooks must test their mettle by creating two courses for a host of former champions for a place in Knockout Week.
Nine home cooks aim to progress to the next round of the competition, but they must recreate their Family Favourite dish and face the invention test. For two, their MasterChef dream will be over.
The seven remaining cooks face a challenge set by food critic Leyla Kazim, in which they must create a dish that showcases sourness or bitterness.
It's the third quarter-final, and this week’s four most talented cooks must test their mettle by creating two courses for a host of former champions and contestants for a place in Knockout Week.
Nine home cooks aim to progress to the next round of the competition, but they must recreate their Family Favourite dish and face the invention test. For two, their MasterChef dream will be over.
The seven remaining cooks face a challenge set by food critic Jimi Famurewa, in which they must create a dish using leftovers or waste.
It’s the fourth quarter-final, and this week’s most talented four cooks return to fight for a place in Knockout Week. They must cook for some of MasterChef’s most inspiring winners and contestants.
It’s the fifth and final week of the heats, and once more the judges have a set of challenges the passionate amateurs must complete in order to progress in the competition.
Seven home cooks from the first rounds return to test their culinary wits and convince John and Gregg that they have what it takes to be MasterChef Champion 2023.
It’s the last quarter-final, with this week’s most talented four cooks returning to fight for a place in Knockout Week.
It's the start of Knockout Week, with just 14 amateur cooks left in the competition.
Knockout Week continues, with seven more home cooks battling to reach the semi-finals. At the end of this week, only the best ten cooks will remain in the competition.
Ten become eight as the places in the semi-finals are decided. The challenge to get there is to create a dish the judges can eat with their hands.
The semi-finals kick off at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire, where the contestants must cook in teams to produce a fine dining experience for 120 emergency responders.
The seven remaining amateurs have to cook a dish that is 'so wrong that it's right'. Five will progress to create a five-course lunch to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the discovery of DNA.
The five remaining contestants vie for a place in the finals by cooking a dish that is both ‘theatrical and fantastical’.
It's finals week, and the four remaining amateur cooks travel to Turkey to work with the chef of the only restaurant in Istanbul to have been awarded two Michelin stars.
The last four compete for a place in the final and the chance to cook at a restaurant with three Michelin stars.
After eight gruelling weeks of intense competition, the final three compete in one last cook-off for the 2023 MasterChef trophy.
2022
This year the judges are mixing it up – introducing a whole new set of challenges the passionate amateurs must complete in order to progress in the competition.
The remaining seven of this week's home cooks return to face two challenges, one of them set by food critic Tom Parker Bowles. Only four can proceed to the quarter-final.
2015
MasterChef is back for its eleventh year with more fantastically talented amateur cooks who want to take a shot at the coveted MasterChef Champion title. Out of the hundreds that auditioned, forty amateur cooks are through to battle it out over four weeks of heats, producing some of the most inspiring, exceptional, unusual and disastrous food ever seen on the series. Tonight, the first five amateur cooks try to prove to Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2015 MasterChef Champion.
2017
Out of the hundreds that auditioned, 64 amateur cooks are through to battle it out over four weeks of heats, producing some of the most inspiring, exceptional and unusual food ever seen on the series. The first eight hopefuls try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2017 MasterChef Champion. This year sees the introduction of the all new MasterChef market, which is stocked full of amazing produce from all around the world as well as a selection of meat and fish. The first challenge is to invent and cook one dish using what's available in the market.
2024
Six contestants face a brand-new challenge, and an invention test where they must create a dish celebrating one of Gregg's favourite foods.
John and Gregg task the six competitors with elevating an everyday ingredient and thinking on their feet when given a trout to fillet, cook and serve in the best way possible.
2013
By taste alone, the five contestants must recreate a dish without a recipe. The three remaining chefs are thrown into a busy lunchtime service at a London's restaurant. Finally, they must prepare two brilliant courses to stand any chance of making it through to the quarter-finals.
Five amateur cooks try to prove to Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2015 MasterChef Champion. Firstly, the contestants are given just one hour and fifteen minutes to dazzle the judges when they are asked to cook their calling card, a practised dish that represents just who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. After tasting all five dishes, John and Gregg, without telling each other, each pick their favourite dish.
It's the first quarter-final of the series and the four talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition. The week's best amateurs are put through the mill with a seriously daunting test - the critic's brief. The home cooks have to impress just one food critic with two dishes. They are given the critic's brief and must create a main and a pudding based on it.
As the second week of heats begins, five more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be MasterChef Champion 2015. Firstly, the contestants are given just one hour and fifteen minutes to dazzle the judges when they are asked to cook their calling card, a practised dish that represents just who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. The two lucky cooks who do best will be safe - for now - and sail straight through to the third test.
As the second week of heats begins, five more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be MasterChef Champion 2015. Firstly, the contestants are given just one hour and fifteen minutes to dazzle the judges when they are asked to cook their calling card, a practised dish that represents just who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. The two lucky cooks who do best will be safe - for now - and sail straight through to the third test.
It's the second quarter-final of the series and the four talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition. The week's best amateurs are put through the mill with a seriously daunting test - the critic's brief. The home cooks have to impress just one food critic with two dishes. They are given the critic's brief and must create a main and a pudding based on it.
As the third week of heats begins, five more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be MasterChef Champion 2015. Firstly, the contestants are given just one hour and fifteen minutes to dazzle the judges when they are asked to cook their calling card, a practised dish that represents just who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. The two lucky cooks who do best will be safe - for now - and sail straight through to the third test.
Five more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be MasterChef Champion 2015. Firstly, the contestants are given just one hour and fifteen minutes to dazzle the judges when they are asked to cook their calling card, a practised dish that represents just who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. The two lucky cooks who do best will be safe - for now - and sail straight through to the third test.
The week's best amateurs are put through the mill with a seriously daunting test - the critic's brief. The home cooks have to impress just one food critic with two dishes. They are given the critic's brief and must create a main and a pudding based on it. The brief has been set by the candid food critic and ex-chef Charles Campion, who asks them to cook a main based on the following instructions: 'I am looking for a cook who can successfully make either a classic British dish or a genuine Indian one. Someone who can do simple dishes well, without over-elaborate presentation
As the final week of heats begins, five more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be MasterChef Champion 2015. Firstly, the contestants are given just one hour and fifteen minutes to dazzle the judges when they are asked to cook their calling card, a practised dish that represents just who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. The two lucky cooks who do best will be safe - for now - and sail straight through to the third test.
In the final heat, five more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be MasterChef Champion 2015. Firstly, the contestants are given just one hour and fifteen minutes to dazzle the judges when they are asked to cook their calling card, a practised dish that represents just who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. The two lucky cooks who do best will be safe - for now - and sail straight through to the third test.
The week's best amateurs are put through the mill with a seriously daunting test - the critic's brief. The home cooks have to impress just one food critic with two dishes. They are given the critic's brief and must create a main and a pudding based on it. The brief has been set by eagle-eyed and astute food critic William Sitwell, who asks them to cook a main based on the following instructions: 'I enjoy spicy dishes and I am looking for a cook who understands how to get the best out of ingredients. I want to see a light touch - a cook who is being guided by the ingredient and what the ingredient calls out for, not what he or she thinks is trendy or will impress.'
The competition is about to get serious as Knockout Week begins. At the end of this week only the best eight cooks will become semi-finalists. After four weeks of fierce competition only the 12 best cooks remain, and the battle is on as they come together for the first time.
Knockout Week continues as the remaining 11 contestants are split into two groups and get their first taste of professional cooking when they have to run an entire lunchtime service on their own. In this episode, the first group head to Typing Room, a London restaurant over seen by Lee Westcott, a protégé of Jason Atherton and Rene Redzepi's Noma. During a busy service, the five amateurs are responsible for serving up every dish on the menu to paying customers. Who will falter as they cook in a completely unfamiliar and demanding environment?
As Knockout Week continues, the second group of amateurs get their first taste of professional cooking. They head to Theo Randall at the Intercontinental, a London restaurant awarded Best Italian in Britain in 2013, where they will be responsible for serving up every dish on the menu for a busy lunch service. As the competition hots up, who will sink and who will swim?
At the end of Knockout Week, the competition has been whittled down to nine extremely talented amateur cooks - all of whom are desperate to reach the MasterChef semi-finals. At MasterChef HQ, they have only one challenge: to cook one superb show-stopper dish to completely wow the judges and secure their semi-final place. The nine have one-and-a-half hours to create their masterpiece. Failure now is not an option. Only the eight best amateurs will become semi-finalists, inching closer to being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
It's the first of the semi-finals, and tonight the eight best cooks come together to battle in a team challenge, the relay invention test. Split into two teams of four, both groups must create one dish between them, using the humble chicken, as well as a range of vegetables, herbs and spices. Each team member has just 20 minutes to make their contribution to the dish, and they must do so without communicating with one another.
The MasterChef semi-finals continue with a spectacular challenge as the eight remaining cooks head to Lincolnshire for an event they will never forget. They must cook a 50th anniversary celebration lunch for some of the most well-loved members of the British armed forces - 90 pilots and the support crew of the Red Arrows.
The MasterChef semi-finals continue, and the pressure is on as tonight one more chef leaves the competition. First, the seven remaining amateurs face a challenge that will really put their skills to the test. They must cook the judges just one dish... but this time using scraps, trimmings and leftovers. Their choice of ingredients for the challenging scraps test includes chicken giblets and skin, bones, a pig's ear, fish heads and bones, roes, potato peelings, vegetable offcuts, stale bread and cheese rind.
It's the last of the semi-finals, and it's do or die for the best six amateurs as they cook off to win a coveted place in the prestigious MasterChef final week. The contestants have just one challenge to win a place in the final five - to cook an outstanding dish to win over three of the country's most feared restaurant critics - Charles Campion, Tracey MacLeod and William Sitwell. Serving food to these masters of the dining room is a daunting task for the most adept chefs and these talented home cooks now have to put their skills and palates on the line. At the end, judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace face a difficult decision - who to take through to next week's MasterChef finals week?
It's the final week of MasterChef 2015. Over the past six weeks, the country's most promising amateur cooks have been whittled down to the best five. All of them have just one goal: to lift the coveted MasterChef Champion trophy. Tonight, the final five become the final four. The final five travel to Cambridge University's Churchill College, where they have the immense task of cooking a five-course dinner in honour of the man regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century - Sir Winston Churchill. It is 50 years since he passed away, and historians, biographers and members of his family are gathering to remember him.
Finals Week continues on MasterChef 2015. Over the past six weeks, the country's most promising amateur cooks have been whittled down to the best four. All of them have just one goal: to lift the coveted MasterChef Champion trophy. Tonight the final four become three. First, the four talented amateur cooks embark on a culinary odyssey to Sweden, where they will face a series of challenges they will remember for the rest of their lives.
In tonight's penultimate show, the final three amateur cooks face the most iconic and terrifying challenge yet - the Chef's Table. This year's Chef's Table is mentored by one of the century's most influential culinary talents - the brilliant and eccentric Italian maestro Massimo Bottura. From humble beginnings, he rose to become the driving force behind Osteria Francescana in northern Italy, which holds three Michelin stars and has been awarded third-best restaurant in the world. His revolutionary modern food has its roots firmly in the traditional heart of Italian cuisine and is based on the philosophy that every dish should tell a story.
It's the MasterChef final. After a formidable seven-week competition, the search for the country's best amateur cook reaches its climax. The finalists have to push themselves to the limit for one last time before Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace crown one of the three highly talented amateur cooks the champion. This is their final chance to pull out all the stops, show everything they have learned, and in three hours demonstrate what sort of cook they have become. They must produce three exceptional courses, push their culinary boundaries and give the judges an awe-inspiring tasting like never before. It's a night packed with culinary highlights, as one of these three exceptional amateur cooks lifts the trophy and becomes the 11th MasterChef Champion.
Eight more amateurs try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2017 MasterChef Champion. This year sees the introduction of the all new MasterChef market, which is stocked full of amazing produce from all around the world as well as a selection of meat and fish. The first challenge is to invent and cook one dish using what is available in the market. On offer today are poussin, lamb rack and duck breast as well as mussels, prawns and crab.
It is the first quarter-final of the series, and the six cooks face a seriously daunting test set by one of the country's toughest food critics. This episode's brief has been set by journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan, and the contestants must cook either a savoury dish using Indian spices or a chocolate dessert with a playful twist. After cooking their dish, the contestants must stand before Amol Rajan, John and Gregg to hear what they think of their dish and how well they have kept to the brief. At the end of the quarter-final, the best cooks are put through to Knockout Week, taking another step closer to being crowned MasterChef Champion 2017.
It is the second week of heats and eight more hopefuls try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2017 MasterChef Champion. This year sees the introduction of the all-new MasterChef market - which is stocked with produce from all around the world, as well as a selection of meat and fish. The first challenge for the eight contestants is to invent and cook one dish using what's available to them in the market.
Today, eight more amateurs try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2017 MasterChef Champion. This year sees the introduction of the all-new MasterChef market - which is stocked full of produce from all around the world as well as a selection of meat and fish. The first challenge for the eight contestants is to invent and cook one dish using what's available to them in the market. On offer today are duck legs, ox tail, lamb mince, langoustine, cod and scallops.
It is the quarter-final, and the six talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition. Today's brief has been set by food critic William Sitwell, and the contestants must cook either a savoury dish that has no meat or fish, or a tart dessert. After cooking their dish, the contestants must stand before William Sitwell, John and Gregg to hear what they think of their dish and how well they have kept to the brief. At the end of the quarter-final, the best cooks are put through to Knockout Week, taking them another step closer to being crowned MasterChef Champion 2017.
Eight more hopefuls enter the MasterChef kitchen, challenged to create a dish using ingredients taken from the MasterChef Market, including chicken legs, quail, salmon and lamb rump. The cooks have an hour and 20 minutes to come up a dish to impress the judges, before three of the contestants are sent home. For the second challenge, the remaining five competitors are asked to create an exciting two-course menu, with previous MasterChef winners and finalists joining John and Gregg as they decide who will make it to the following stage of the competition
The third week of heats continue with the amateurs given just 80 minutes to devise one dish using ingredients from the MasterChef market. On offer are chicken wings, quail, pancetta, brown shrimp, salmon and haddock. After three are sent home, the others cook two courses to impress not just John Torode and Gregg Wallace, but also the 2013 finalists - Saira Hamilton, Larkin Cen and champion Natalie Coleman
Restaurant critic Tracey Macleod sets the brief for the third quarter-final, challenging them to cook a savoury dish that showcases rice or a dessert with almonds as the star. After preparing their dish, the candidates must stand before Tracey and presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace and hear what they think of their offering and how well they have adhered to the brief
The final eight amateur cooks battle for a place in the quarter-final, first creating a dish using ingredients from the MasterChef market, including oxtail, poussin and beef mince, after which three of the contestants will be sent home. For the second challenge, the five remaining cooks have to create a two-course meal to impress judges John Torode, Gregg Wallace and previous MasterChef finalists, with the best three contenders going through to the quarter-final
The last group of eight amateurs are given just 80 minutes to devise one dish using ingredients from the MasterChef market. On offer are venison, lamb mince, kidneys, scallops and langoustines. After three are sent home, the others cook two courses to impress not just John Torode and Gregg Wallace, but also the 2012 champion Shelina Permaloo as well as former finalists Daksha Mistry (2006) and Juanita Hennessey (2016)
Broadcaster and restaurant critic Jay Rayner sets the brief for the fourth quarter-final, challenging the contenders to cook a savoury dish that showcases aubergine or a dessert with honey as the star. After preparing their dish, the candidates must stand before Jay and presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace and hear what they think of their offering and how well they have adhered to the brief
After four weeks of competition, only the 14 best cooks remain, and the battle is on as they come together for the first time and cook off against each other across two shows. They are split into two groups, with the seven members of the blue team first to cook as they are given 90 minutes to create a dish inspired by family favourites or food from their childhoods
With the reds already having cooked earlier tonight, the seven members of the red team get their chance to create a dish inspired by a family favourite or food from their childhood. Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace then consider the merits of all 14 contestants before choosing which 12 have what it takes to continue in the competition and which two will leave
Six of the contestants get their first taste of working in a professional kitchen during a lunch service with chef Shaun Rankin, at the Ormer Mayfair in London. The contenders then head back to the MasterChef kitchen as they aim to impress John Torode and Gregg Wallace in the Invention Test, and Michelin-star chef Tom Kitchin joins the judges to decide who will make it through to the semi-finals
The second group of six hopefuls try their hand at professional service, preparing lunch at Roux in Parliament Square, Michel Roux Jr's second restaurant, run by 2009 MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steve Groves. The amateurs then have the chance to show what they have learnt by rustling up a dish in an invention test, but adding to the pressure, they also present their food to chef Tom Wareing. Who will make it through to tomorrow's final?
The end of the Knockout Week sees the contenders whittled down to 10 amateur cooks - all of whom are desperate to reach the semi-final stage. In this edition they have just one challenge - to secure their place by winning over judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with a showstopper dish prepared in just 90 minutes. Only nine will become semi-finalists, inching closer to being crowned the series champion of 2017. For one therefore, the MasterChef dream will be over
It is the first of the semi-finals, and the nine remaining cooks face just one test to keep them in the competition. They have 90 minutes to cook a dish which showcases their favourite ingredient, with choices ranging from lamb to cauliflower and seaweed. For one of the contestants, the dream will be over.
The semi-finals continue as the eight remaining cooks head to the BBC studios at Elstree, home to TV drama Holby City. The contestants are split into two teams of four and face the challenge of running their own kitchens in two specially constructed catering tents. Each team must create two main courses and a dessert to feed 120 members of the cast and crew.
The contestants are tasked with cooking a three-course fish lunch for some of the country's biggest fish experts. Starting at 4am at Billingsgate Fish Market, they must first source their ingredients before moving on to Fishmongers' Hall, the prestigious headquarters of the Fishmongers' Company, where they take full control of the kitchens. John Torode oversees the kitchen as the amateurs face a high-pressure lunchtime service.
It is the last of semi-finals, and the remaining six amateurs attempt to win a place in the MasterChef finals. To win their place in the final five they must cook an outstanding dish for four of the country's most feared restaurant critics - Amol Rajan, Tracey MacLeod, Jay Rayner and William Sitwell. At the end, John Torode and Gregg Wallace decide who to take through to finals week.
It is the final week of MasterChef 2017, and the remaining five amateur cooks travel to Winfield House, the official residence of the American ambassador to the United Kingdom. They have the immense task of cooking for him and his five guests, who include author and journalist Rachel Johnson, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and Jeremy King, creator of iconic restaurants The Ivy and The Wolseley
The final four amateur cooks embark on a culinary adventure to South Africa, where they face three extraordinary challenges, guided by two of South Africa's acclaimed chefs. Their first task is to cook a traditional South African 'braai' using ingredients and cooking methods alien to them in the sizzling 40-degree heat. They are mentored by chef Reuben Riffel, who also devises with the menu. Next, the amateurs have the honour of working with British-born chef Luke Dale Roberts.
The final three amateur cooks face the most terrifying challenge yet, The Chef's Table, mentored by chef Sat Bains. To fight for their place at The Chef's Table, John Torode and Gregg Wallace challenge the amateurs to cook a classic dish with their stamp on it. The final contestants then face the ultimate challenge. Sat has designed an exquisite three-course menu for lunch and each contestant will be responsible for one of his signature dishes.
After a formidable seven-week competition, the search for the country's best amateur cook reaches its climax. The finalists have to push themselves to the limit for one last time before judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace crown one of the three highly-talented amateur cooks the champion. In three hours, they must produce three exceptional courses, push the culinary boundaries and give the judges an awe-inspiring tasting like never before. It is a night packed with culinary highlights as one of the three amateur cooks lifts the trophy and becomes the 13th MasterChef champion.
In the first quarter-final, the six contestants must impress food critic William Sitwell with dishes based on classic school dinners.
Six more amateurs set out to prove their worth as they battle for the right to wear just four coveted aprons and take one step closer to this week’s quarter-final.
Six more amateur cooks kick-start their MasterChef adventure as they go all out to get their hands on their very own MasterChef apron, before battling for a place in this week’s quarter-final.
It’s the second quarter-final, and this week’s most talented amateurs return to test their mettle with their sights set on a place in Knockout Week. But getting there won’t be easy.
Television’s biggest cooking competition continues with a third week of culinary heats. Twelve more of the country’s best amateur cooks must go all out for the chance to reach the quarter-final.
Six more brave souls take on the MasterChef challenge, but they will need to win an apron for the adventure to take off.
The third quarter-final gets underway, and this week’s most exceptional cooks must push themselves further to hold on to their place in the competition.
Week four of the heats has arrived, and 12 fresh-faced contenders are pinning their hopes on winning a MasterChef apron - their ticket to progress in the competition.
It's the last chance for MasterChef novices to enter the arena, as six new amateurs give their all to win the right to wear a gleaming apron.
It’s quarter-final time, as this week’s six best cooks don their well-earned MasterChef aprons ready to bring their A-game. A place in Knockout Week is now within touching distance.
MasterChef 2024 has reached the final week of heats, and to celebrate the 20th anniversary, ten familiar faces have been invited back to battle for the title for the second time in Comeback Week.
Five more comeback contestants return to the competition to try their luck again. A quarter-final place awaits those who outperform the others across two tough challenges.
It’s all to play for as this week’s six best comeback contestants return for the last quarter-final and the chance to push on into Knockout Week.
The first group of eight head into battle and are hit with an Invention Test. The larder has been stocked with some of the finest foods, so the only limitation will be the contestants’ imaginations.
Knockout Week continues, and the second group of eight remaining amateurs return to MasterChef for the opportunity of a lifetime - the chance to cook in their first professional kitchen.
Knockout Week draws to a close as the week’s best cooks return to compete for a place in this year’s semi-finals.
It’s semi-finals time on MasterChef, and for the remaining eight, a new set of adventures await. Everything is on the line, as those who come out on top will be rewarded with a place in Finals Week.
As the semi-finals continue, it’s down to the remaining six amateurs to stave off the competition with a dish that turns on the theatrics.
It’s all on the line as the semi-finals come to an end. The fabulous five now have one shot of making the ultimate leap into Finals Week.
The finalists jet across the globe for the trip of a lifetime to Singapore – a country of six million, brimming with diverse cuisines and cultures.
It’s finals week as the MasterChef anniversary celebrations continue, and two incredible challenges await our final four.
MasterChef’s 20th series comes to a nail-biting end, with just one challenge standing between the final three and a place in the MasterChef Hall of Fame.
The next five contestants are challenged to deliver an amazing plate of food with no prior planning. Then they must recreate a dish without a recipe just by tasting it. The remaining three have to cook at a busy lunch service at a London restaurant. Finally, they must rustle up their two best courses for John and Gregg, and for three MasterChef winners.
The Invention and Palate Tests (potato pancakes, smoked trout, and beetroot salad) eliminate two cooks. The survivors join a busy lunch time service in London's Cadogan Hotel, then return to the MasterChef kitchen to cook two of their own courses to impress John and Gregg.
As the fourth heat begins, the contestants must hold their nerve in the infamous Invention Test, where they have just one hour to cook an exceptional dish from scratch. No-one goes home after this because next they have to survive the extremely tricky Palate Test - a brand new MasterChef challenge. Chef John Torode demonstrates a Glass Noodle Salad with Chicken and Crab. Without seeing the demo, the amateurs are given just a few minutes to taste this dish before being asked to write down exactly what is in it, using their sense of smell, and palate.
In the second quarter-final, the best amateurs from the heats go head to head to cook their best two courses not only for John and Gregg, but for three exceptional MasterChef champions who know exactly what the contestants are going through - Shelina Permalloo, Peter Bayless and James Nathan. Who will have what it takes to earn one of 12 places in the next round, the daunting knockout week? Only the best will survive, taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2013.
Five amateur cooks battle against each other in the latest Masterchef heat. First, they must hold their nerve in the infamous Invention Test, where they have just one hour to cook an exceptional dish from scratch. No one goes home after this because next they have to survive the extremely tricky Palate Test, a brand new MasterChef challenge. Tonight, Chef John Torode demonstrates pappardelle with meatballs and tomato sauce. Without seeing the demo, the amateurs are given just a few minutes to taste this dish before being asked to write down exactly what it is in it, using their sense of smell, and palate.
The Invention Test and the Palate Test (crumbed venison cutlets) eliminate two cooks. The remaining three join a busy lunch time service in London's One Twenty One Two at The Royal Horseguards Hotel. then it's back to the MasterChef kitchen to cook their own two brilliant courses to impress John and Gregg.
In the third quarter final, the best chefs from the week cook their finest two courses for John and Gregg and three MasterChef champions.
The penultimate heat week begins, as five more amateur cooks battle against each other. First, they must hold their nerve in the infamous Invention Test, where they have just one hour to cook an exceptional dish from scratch. They must then survive the extremely tricky Palate Test, a brand new MasterChef challenge which sees John demonstrate a chicken pot pie with coleslaw. Without seeing the demo, the amateurs are given just a few minutes to taste this dish before being asked to write down exactly what is in it, using their sense of smell and palate.
The Invention and Palate Tests (seafood chowder and soda bread) eliminate two cooks from the next set of hopefuls. The survivors join a busy lunch time service in London's Brasserie Joel, then cook two of their own courses to impress John and Gregg.
It is the penultimate quarter-final, and the best amateurs from the week's heats go head-to-head, cooking their finest two courses not only for John and Gregg, but for three MasterChef champions.
Five amateur cooks battle against each other as the final week of heats begins. First, they must hold their nerve in the Invention Test, where they have just one hour to cook an exceptional dish from scratch. No-one goes home after this, because they must next survive the extremely tricky Palate Test, which sees chef John Torode demonstrate a beef stir-fry with choy sum and peanuts. Without seeing the demo, the amateurs are given just a few minutes to taste this dish before being asked to write down exactly what it is in it, using their sense of smell, and palate.
It is the final heat. The contestants face the Invention Test and the Palate Test (scallop and crab ravioli with a spiced prawn sauce). The survivors do a busy lunch service in London's Terrace Grill. then cook two of their own dishes for John and Gregg.
In the last quarter-final, the best chefs of the week cook their best two courses for John and Gregg and three MasterChef champions Thomasina Miers, Peter Bayless, and Mat Follas.
It's knockout week and the surviving chefs compete for a place in the semi-final. The first group of six cook lunch for over 200 British Airways' maintenance employees. Then it's back to MasterChef HQ to show what they have learned. The weakest individuals of the day must face each other in an invention cook-off.
Knockout week continues as the second group of six cook lunch for 200 firefighters. Then, it is back to MasterChef HQ to show what they have learned. The weakest individual cooks of the day must face each other in an invention cook-off.
On the last day of knockout week the final group of amateur cooks have only one challenge: cook one unforgettable show-stopper dish to wow the judges and secure their semi-final place in the last two weeks of the competition.
It is the semi-finals and the four remaining chefs are sent to four separate London restaurants for a masterclass then return and cook two courses for John and Gregg using their experience.
The four remaining contestants must cook in an invention test for the demanding Michelin-starred chefs, Marcus Wareing. They are then taken to the world-famous Savoy hotel to produce a first-class fine dining menu for 12 Bond movie girls.
In this last semi-final, the four remaining contestants have two and a half hours to produce their best three-course menu. for a restaurant full of the country's most revered food critics.
The final week of the cookery competition begins. The pressure intensifies as judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace send the finalists on a culinary odyssey to Italy.
The Final Three face an epic invention test and then their penultimate and most terrifying challenge yet, cooking an exquisite three-course menu, designed by two-Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, for a table of the county's finest three-star chefs.
It is the MasterChef final. They must produce three exceptional courses and are on a mission to push culinary boundaries and give the judges an awe-inspiring tasting like never before, to be crowned as MasterChef Champion 2013.
2016
The pressure cookers are out, the table has been laid and the trophy has been polished - MasterChef is back, opening its doors to a new batch of aspiring chefs all battling to become Britain's best amateur cook. Across twenty-five episodes spread over seven weeks on BBC One, the contestants face extraordinary culinary challenges, expert critique and the trusted MasterChef faces, as John Torode and Gregg Wallace return to the judging table on the hunt for the twelfth champion.
Five more amateurs try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2016 MasterChef champion.
The cookery competition continues with the first quarter-final of the series. The six heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition.
It's the second week of heats and five more hopefuls try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2016 MasterChef Champion.
It's the second week of heats and five more hopefuls try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2016 MasterChef Champion.
It's the quarter-final and the six talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition.
It's the third week of heats and five more hopefuls try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2016 MasterChef Champion.
Five more amateurs try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2016 MasterChef Champion.
It's the quarter-final and the six talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition.
It's the last week of the heats and the final group of amateurs battle for a place in the quarter final. Five more hopefuls try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2016 MasterChef Champion. Firstly they are asked to cook their Calling Card, a dish that represents who they are as a cook. After tasting all five dishes, John and Gregg each pick their favourite dish. If they both choose the same dish, then they will select their second preference.
It's the last quarter-final of the heats and the six talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition and a place in knockout week. The week's best amateurs are put through the mill with a daunting test set by one of Britain's toughest food critics, Jay Rayner. He challenges the amateur cooks to make an exceptional dish centred on one ingredient, duck breast. After cooking their dish based on the brief, the contestants must stand before Jay Rayner and John and Gregg, and hear what they think of their dish and how well they have kept to the brief. At the end of tonight's quarter-final, the best cooks will go through to knockout week, taking another step closer to being crowned MasterChef Champion 2016.
After four weeks of fierce competition only the 14 best cooks remain, and the battle is on as they come together for the first time and cook off against each other across two shows. The amateurs are split into two groups - the red team and the blue team - with seven cooks in each. Each set of contestants faces a daunting cook-off based on a brief given by John and Gregg. Their challenge is to create one dish inspired by a family favourite or food from their childhood.
Knockout Week continues, as the 14 best amateur chefs continue to battle it out in a high pressured cook-off. With the red team already having cooked, it is now the turn of the blue team to face the same daunting challenge set by John and Gregg. Their brief is to create one dish inspired by a family favourite or food from their childhood. In one hour and 30 mins, they must deliver just one dish that stands out from the crowd, and proves to the judges that they have a future in the competition. John and Gregg must now make a difficult decision as they choose who has what it takes to continue in the competition and whose MasterChef journey is about to end. Who will crumble under the pressure and who will prove they have what it takes to take another precious step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2016?
Knockout Week continues, with the eleven remaining contestants facing a baptism of fire as they are split into two groups and tasked with running a professional lunchtime service on their own. In this episode, the first group heads to a London restaurant headed up by award-winning chef Stevie Parle. During a busy service, the five amateurs are responsible for serving up every dish on the menu to paying customers. Who will falter as they cook in a completely unfamiliar and demanding environment?
Knockout Week continues, as the second group of amateurs get their first taste of professional cooking. They head to an award-winning modern Italian restaurant run by head chef Antonio Favuzzi. The contestants are responsible for serving up every dish on the menu for a busy lunch service. Afterwards, it's back to the MasterChef kitchen for an Invention Test to show John and Gregg just what they have learnt.
Just nine amateur cooks remain as Knockout Week comes to a close, all of whom are desperate to reach the semi-finals. In this episode they have only one challenge: to cook one superb showstopper dish to wow the judges and secure their semi-final place. They have one and a half hours to create their masterpieces, and failure is not an option. Only the eight best amateurs will become semi-finalists, inching closer to being crowned MasterChef Champion 2016. For one more hopeful, the MasterChef dream will be over.
Forty amateur cooks have been whittled down to the most promising eight. It's the first of the semi-finals, and the eight best cooks come together to battle in a team challenge, the Relay Invention Test. Split into two teams of four, both groups must create two dishes between them; a main course based on lamb, and a dessert using pear as the main ingredient. Each team member has just 20 minutes to make their contribution to the dish, and they must do so without communicating with one another.
he MasterChef semi-finals continue with a spectacular challenge, as the eight remaining best cooks in the competition head to the biggest naval base in Western Europe to embark on a special mission to serve lunch to members of the Royal Navy on board one of its longest serving ships, anti-submarine frigate HMS Northumberland. The semi-finalists face the enormous challenge of running their own kitchens in two specially constructed catering tents. Split into two teams of four, each team have to create two main courses and a dessert to feed 110 members of the ships company.
The MasterChef semi-finals continue. Forty amateur cooks have been whittled down and now only the most promising seven remain in the competition, all fighting for a place in Finals Week. In this programme they have to pull out all the stops as they are tasked with the daunting challenge of cooking for some of the world's most celebrated restaurateurs. Travelling to London's fashionable Chelsea, the amateur chefs are thrown into service at the culinary landmark Bluebird where they take full control of its kitchens. John Torode oversees the kitchen, as the amateurs face a high pressured lunchtime service
It's the last of the semi-finals and it's do or die for the best six amateurs as they cook-off to win a coveted place in the prestigious MasterChef Finals. The contestants have just one challenge to win a place in the final five; to cook an outstanding dish to win over four of the country's most feared restaurant critics - Charles Campion, Tracey MacLeod, Jay Rayner and William Sitwell. Serving food to these masters of the dining room is a daunting task for the most adept chefs, and these talented home cooks now have to put their skills and palates on the line. Any mistake could cost them the competition, so with the pressure firmly on, it is a tense and thrilling battle. At the end judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace face a difficult decision - who to take through to MasterChef Finals week?
It's the final week of MasterChef 2016. All the amateur cooks have just one goal: to lift the coveted MasterChef champion trophy. Tonight the final five become the final four. In this episode the final five travel to The Bristol Old Vic where they have the immense task of cooking for five leading actresses of the stage and screen. The dinner is overseen by rising British star, Michael O'Hare. His trailblazing restaurant, The Man Behind the Curtain, was awarded a Michelin star within a year of opening and is famed for its highly original dishes. Michael has devised a five-course menu for the guests and with just four hours to replicate his complex dishes, the amateurs will be challenged like never before.
It's the final week of MasterChef 2016. All the amateur cooks have just one goal: to lift the coveted MasterChef champion trophy. The final four talented amateur cooks embark on a culinary odyssey to Mexico, where they face a series of challenges they will remember for the rest of their lives. Mexico is home to a cuisine that has remained fundamentally unchanged for thousands of years, and the finalists' journey begins in the country's capital, Mexico City, known for its extraordinary markets, exotic produce and vibrant street food.
It's the final week of MasterChef 2016. All the amateur cooks have just one goal: to lift the coveted MasterChef champion trophy. The final amateur cooks face their most iconic and terrifying challenge yet - the Chef's Table. It's the contestants' last chance to prove they have got what it takes, because the final challenge is just around the corner.
It's the MasterChef final. After a formidable seven-week competition, the search for the country's best amateur cook reaches its climax. The finalists must push themselves to the limit one last time before John Torode and Gregg Wallace crowns one of the three highly talented cooks as the champion. In this final challenge, the finalists must pull out all the stops, show everything they have learned, and demonstrate what sort of cook they have become. They have three hours to produce three exceptional courses, push the culinary boundaries and give the judges an awe-inspiring tasting like never before. At the end of the challenge, one of the finalists will lift the trophy and become the 12th MasterChef champion.
2014
John Torode and Gregg Wallace return to put more keen cooks to the test. The first six hopefuls take on a new challenge in which they prepare their Calling Card, a dish that represents who they are and showcases their talent. This is followed by the infamous Invention Test, in which there is now a choice of two boxes of ingredients, and the stakes are high because after that, two of the amateurs will be going home. The remaining four then replicate the conditions of restaurant service as they rustle up dinner for three discerning guests - 2005 MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers, 2008 winner James Nathan and 2010 finalist Alex Rushmer. It's then up to John and Gregg which two will advance to Friday's quarter-final
Six more amateur cooks compete for a place in tomorrow's quarter-final, preparing a plate of food that represents who they are as their Calling Card and choosing one box of ingredients - either sweet or savoury - to rustle up a surprise dish in the Invention Test, before two of the hopefuls are sent home. The remaining four serve dinner for 2011 and 2013 MasterChef champions Tim Anderson and Natalie Coleman, as well as 2010 finalist Tim Kinnaird, before judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace decide who has made it through
It's the first quarter-final and the four heat winners continue to battle for their place in the competition. The Palate Test sees them recreating John Torode's jungle curry with coconut and lime rice, having only had a couple of minutes to taste the dish and write down what they think the ingredients are. They then cook a showstopping dish for the judges and food critic William Sitwell - and it had better be good, as for some of them, it will be their last time in the MasterChef kitchen
Cookery competition with John Torode and Gregg Wallace. As the second week of heats begins, six more amateur cooks prepare special dishes in the hopes of impressing the judges.
Cookery competition with John Torode and Gregg Wallace. As the second week of heats continues, the next six amateur cooks try to prove to the judges that they have the potential to be the tenth MasterChef champion. Firstly, the contestants are asked to cook their calling card, a practiced dish that represents who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. They have just one hour to dazzle the judges with one plate of food that shows just what they can do.
The cookery competition continues its tenth series with the second quarter-final, and the four talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition. First, they must prove their mettle in the fiendishly difficult palate and skills test. Chef John Torode cooks chicken liver pate with onions madagascar and melba toast, a dish designed to test the cooks' skills of prioritisation and timing.
As the third week of heats begins, six more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the tenth MasterChef champion. Firstly, the contestants are asked to cook their calling card, a practiced dish that represents who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. They have just one hour to dazzle the judges with one plate of food that shows just what they can do. They then face the infamous invention test, choosing between two sealed boxes of ingredients - one sweet and one savoury.
As the third week of heats begins, six more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the tenth MasterChef champion. Firstly, the contestants are asked to cook their calling card, a practiced dish that represents who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. They have just one hour to dazzle the judges with one plate of food that shows just what they can do. They then face the infamous invention test, choosing between two sealed boxes of ingredients - one sweet and one savoury. Chef John Torode takes on this challenge himself, showing the viewers at home just what is possible with the few ingredients.
The cookery competition continues its tenth series with the third quarter-final, and the four talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition. First, they must prove their mettle in the fiendishly difficult palate and skills test. Chef John Torode cooks an Indian spiced potato galette on spiced chickpeas, a dish made up of twelve different spices and herbs.
MasterChef is back for its tenth year with the most inspirational series yet. Out of the hundreds that auditioned, sixty amateur cooks are through to battle it out over five weeks of heats, producing some of the most exceptional as well as some of the most disastrous food ever seen on the series. All of them have just one goal - to lift the coveted MasterChef Champion title. It's the fourth week of heats and the next six amateur cooks must try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the tenth MasterChef Champion.
MasterChef is back for its tenth year with the most inspirational series yet. Out of the hundreds that auditioned, sixty amateur cooks are through to battle it out over five weeks of heats, producing some of the most exceptional as well as some of the most disastrous food ever seen on the series. All of them have just one goal - to lift the coveted MasterChef Champion title. It's the fourth week of heats and the next six amateur cooks must try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the tenth MasterChef Champion.
The cookery competition continues its tenth series with the fourth quarter-final, and the four talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition. First, they must prove their mettle in the fiendishly difficult palate and skills test. Chef John Torode cooks poached and fried pepper chicken, herbed gnocchi, mushroom and tarragon sauce, a dish with three different types of mushrooms to identify and which requires a high level of technical skill.
As the final week of heats begins, six more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the tenth MasterChef champion. Firstly, the contestants are asked to cook their calling card, a practiced dish that represents who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. They have just one hour to dazzle the judges with one plate of food that shows just what they can do. They then face the infamous invention test, choosing between two sealed boxes of ingredients - one sweet and one savoury
As the final week of heats begins, six more amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the tenth MasterChef champion. Firstly, the contestants are asked to cook their calling card, a practiced dish that represents who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. They have just one hour to dazzle the judges with one plate of food that shows just what they can do. They then face the infamous invention test, choosing between two sealed boxes of ingredients - one sweet and one savoury.
The cookery competition continues its tenth series with the last of the quarter-finals, and the four talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition. First, they must prove their mettle in the fiendishly difficult palate and skills test. Chef John Torode cooks singapore chilli crab, a dish with a pungent fiery chilli and black bean paste that requires the cook to prepare and cook a whole crab.
MasterChef continues its tenth and most inspirational series yet. Of the hundreds that auditioned, 60 amateur cooks have been whittled down to the most promising ten. All of them have just one goal: to lift the coveted MasterChef Champion trophy. The competition is about to get serious as Knockout Week begins. At the end of this week, only the best six can become semi-finalists.
The knockout stage of the cookery competition continues, as the second group of five contestants head to a restaurant in London to cook for a busy lunch service.
The cookery competition continues as the amateurs reach the end of Knockout Week. They have only one challenge in this episode: to cook one show-stopper dish to wow the judges.
The cookery competition continues with the first of the semi-finals, as the six remaining contestants head to east London to cook lunch for the cast and crew of EastEnders.
The cookery competition reaches its second semi-final. The five remaining contestants must cook a menu in the kitchens of Hever Castle, before facing an unusual invention test.
The cookery competition reaches the last of the semi-finals, and the final five contestants have just one challenge - to create a meal that will greatly impress John and Gregg.
The cookery competition reaches the final week. In this programme, the finalists are tasked with cooking an exquisite four-course menu for four leading chefs.
In the penultimate episode of the cookery contest the three cooks go on a culinary odyssey to Barcelona and have the masterclass of a lifetime with pastry chef Christian Escribà
It's the MasterChef final. After a formidable eight-week competition, tonight the search for the country's best amateur cook reaches its climax. The finalists have to push themselves to the limit for one last time before judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace will crown one of the three highly talented amateur cooks the champion. This is their chance to pull out all the stops, show everything they have learned, and in three hours demonstrate what sort of cook each has become. They must produce three exceptional courses and are on a mission to push culinary boundaries and give the judges an awe-inspiring tasting like never before. Tonight one of these three exceptional cooks will lift the trophy as John and Gregg crown them MasterChef Champion 2014.
2018
In this first episode, the first seven hopefuls need to pull out all the stops to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to rise above the rest to become MasterChef 2018 Champion.
Seven more amateurs try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2018 MasterChef champion.
It is the first quarter-final of the series, and the six heat winners continue to fight for their place in the competition. In the Critic's Test, the contestants are put through the mill with a seriously daunting test set by critic William Sitwell. His challenge for the amateur cooks is to create a dessert showcasing either alcohol or spices.
It's the second week of heats, and seven more hopefuls need to pull out all the stops to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. This year sees the return of the MasterChef Market, stocked full of the best-quality produce from across the world. The challenge is to invent and then cook one dish using anything from the market. The featured ingredients include venison, chicken, parma ham, sea bream and pollock, and the contestants have an hour and ten minutes to dazzle the judges.
Seven more hopefuls try to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. This year sees the return of the MasterChef Market, stocked full of the best-quality produce from across the world. The challenge is to invent and then cook one dish using anything from the market. The featured ingredients include lamb rump, pork chops, pigeon, sea bass, turbot and langoustine, and the contestants have an hour and ten minutes to dazzle the judges. After tasting all seven dishes, John and Gregg decide which four cooks are good enough to stay, while three are sent home. The four remaining cooks must cook two courses that will excite not just John and Gregg but also the MasterChef champions from 2005, Thomasina Miers, and 2006, Steven Wallis, and finalist from 2006 Daksha Mistry. After the four hopefuls have cooked, John and Gregg decide which three contestants deserve to take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final.
It is the quarter-final, and the six contestants face the Critic's Test. This episode's brief has been set by Jay Rayner. His challenge for the amateur cooks is to make an exceptional pie - it can be any pie they like, sweet or savoury, but they must make their own pastry. After cooking their dish based on this brief, the contestants stand before Jay and judges John and Gregg to hear what they think of their dish and whether they've managed to rise to the challenge and fulfil the expectations. At the end of this quarter-final the best cooks go through to Knockout Week.
It's the third week of heats and seven more hopefuls need to pull out all the stops to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to rise above the rest. This year sees the return of the MasterChef Market, full of quality produce from across the world including meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, pulses, grains and dairy.
In this episode, seven more amateurs try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2018 MasterChef Champion. This time, the featured ingredients in the MasterChef market include poussin, beef cheeks, pork mince, mackerel and tiger prawns. They have an hour and 10 minutes to dazzle the judges and prove they are good enough to stay in the competition. The stakes are high and it's important to choose wisely because after tasting all seven dishes, John and Gregg will decide which four cooks are good enough to stay, while three cooks will be sent straight home.
It's the quarter-final and the six heat winners continue to fight for their place in the competition. In the Critic's Test, the week's best amateurs will be put through the mill with a seriously daunting test set by one of the country's toughest food critics. Tonight's brief has been set by Grace Dent. Her challenge for the amateur cooks is to make their best comfort food dish - something Grace would want to eat on her day off. After cooking their dish based on this brief, the contestants stand before Grace Dent and judges John and Gregg, to hear, face-to-face, what they think of their dish and whether they've managed to rise to the challenge and fulfil the expectations. At the end of this quarter-final, the best cooks will go through to Knockout Week.
It's the last week of heats and seven more hopefuls need to pull out all the stops to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to rise above the rest to become MasterChef 2018 Champion. This year sees the return of the MasterChef Market, stocked full of the best quality produce from across the world including meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, pulses, grains and dairy. The challenge is to invent and then cook one dish using anything from the Market. This time, the featured ingredients include quail, chorizo, bone marrow, cod and squid.
In this heat, the last group of seven amateur cooks try to prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2018 MasterChef Champion. This year sees the return of the MasterChef Market, stocked full of the best quality produce from across the world including meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, pulses, grains and dairy. The challenge is to invent and then cook one dish using anything from the Market.
It's the last quarter-final and the six talented heat winners have no time to rest on their laurels as they continue to fight for their place in the competition. In the Critic's Test, the week's best amateurs will be put through the mill with a seriously daunting test set by one of the country's toughest food critics. Tonight's brief has been set by Amol Rajan.
After four weeks of fierce competition in the heats, 56 amateur cooks have been whittled down to just 16. Now these talented cooks come together to cook off against each other across two shows. In this episode the amateurs are split into two groups - the blue group and the red group - with eight cooks in each. Both groups face a cook-off based on a brief given by John and Gregg.
Knockout Week continues, as the best 16 amateur chefs continue to battle it out in a high-pressured cook-off. With the blue group having already cooked, it is now the turn of the red group to face the same daunting challenge set by John and Gregg.
Over the next two nights the heat intensifies as the remaining twelve contestants are split into two groups and get their first taste of a professional kitchen when they have to run an entire lunchtime service. In this episode the first group head to Eneko in Covent Garden, London. Spanish chef Eneko Atxa's second restaurant, Eneko, specialises in Basque cuisine and is led by head chef Javi Blanco, who helped launch it in 2016. During a busy lunch service, the six amateur cooks are entirely responsible for serving the restaurant's menu to paying customers.
The second group of amateurs get their first taste of professional cooking. They are heading to Sartoria in London's Mayfair, run by renowned Italian chef patron Francesco Mazzei. The six contestants are responsible for serving up every dish on the menu to paying customers during a packed lunch service. Then it is back to MasterChef HQ for an invention test for John and Gregg. In a last-chance bid to stay in the competition, each cook has to show they have learned from their experience and can create a unique and outstanding dish worthy of gracing the table of a restaurant. Guest judge two Michelin-starred Nathan Outlaw returns to help John and Gregg evaluate the six amateur cooks' dishes After this challenge, one of the contestants is sent home.
It is the end of Knockout Week and there are just nine amateur cooks remaining. At MasterChef HQ, they have only one challenge - cook one dish to win over the judges and secure a semi-final place. They have 90 minutes to create their masterpiece. The best three cooks become semi-finalists, while the other six will have to fight it out again to earn their place.
With three contestants already through to the semi-finals, the best six remaining cooks go head to head to fight for their place alongside them. Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace are joined by renowned chef Theo Randall. Previously awarded a Michelin star when he was head chef at the River Cafe, Theo is now the proprietor of Theo Randall at The Intercontinental. The six amateur cooks are set a brief by Theo to create one outstanding dish inspired by Italian cuisine, and they have just 90 minutes to prep and cook it. At this stage in the competition, the judge's expectations are sky high, and only the five best cooks will keep their place and join the other three semi-finalists. This is the cooks' final chance to prove they've got what it takes to stay in the competition and take a step closer to being crowned MasterChef champion 2018.
The MasterChef semi-finals continue as the eight remaining cooks in the competition head to RAF Halton in Aylesbury to celebrate 100 years of the RAF's formation. The semi-finalists are split into two teams of four and face the enormous challenge of running their own kitchens in two specially constructed catering tents. Each team must create two main courses and a dessert to feed 120 veterans, serving airmen and new recruits for a special lunch that celebrates the centenary. With less than four hours to deliver, organisation and teamwork are essential for success.
The remaining semi-finalists must pull out all the stops when they are tasked with the daunting challenge of cooking a three-course fish lunch to celebrate 100 years of women's right to vote. John Torode oversees the kitchen as the amateurs face a high-pressured lunchtime service. The VIP diners include: Dr Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst - leader of the suffragette movement; Baroness Hale, president of the Supreme Court; former BBC chief news correspondent Kate Adie; broadcaster Dame Jenni Murray; space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock; journalist Kirsty Wark; and leading female chefs and restaurateurs who are at the forefront of dining trends and have paved the way for culinary excellence.
It's the last of semi-finals and it's do-or-die for the best six amateurs as they cook-off to win a coveted place in the prestigious MasterChef finals. The contestants have just one challenge to win a place in the final five; to cook an outstanding dish to win-over three of the country's most-feared restaurant critics -Tracey MacLeod, Tom Parker Bowles and Fay Maschler. Serving food to these masters of the dining room is a daunting task for the most adept chefs, and these talented home cooks now have to put their skills and palates on the line. Any mistake could cost them the competition, so with the pressure firmly on, it is a tense and thrilling battle. At the end, judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace face a difficult decision - who to take through to the MasterChef finals week?
It's Finals Week of MasterChef 2018, and just five cooks remain. The final five travel to Carlton Towers in rural North Yorkshire, a Victorian gothic country house which is home to Lord and Lady Fitzalan-Howard and family. Here, the five amateur cooks must cook for the lord and lady as they host a lunch for some of Yorkshire's finest local producers and farmers, including author and shepherdess Amanda Owen, rhubarb farmer Robert Tomlinson and Simon Eyles MD of Yorkshire tearooms Bettys.
Finals Week continues, and just four cooks remain. Now they embark on a culinary adventure of a lifetime to Peru. Over the last decade, Lima, the capital, has led a food revolution that has popularised Peruvian cuisine around the world. Here the finalists face three challenges, guided by two of Peru's most acclaimed chefs. The first challenge takes place in Lima's major fish market Chorillos, where, in teams of two, they are tasked with recreating four popular iconic Peruvian dishes to serve to a group of local fishermen.
It is the penultimate show, and the final four amateur cooks face the challenge of a lifetime cooking alongside internationally renowned chef Ashley Palmer-Watts. Regarded as a leading culinary innovator, Ashley has worked alongside one of Britain's most famous chefs, Heston Blumenthal, for the last 18 years. As head chef at the three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck in Bray,
It's the MasterChef final. After an arduous seven-week journey, the search for the country's best amateur cook reaches its climax. The finalists have to push themselves to the limit for one last time before judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace crown one of the three talented cooks the champion. This is their final chance to pull out all the stops and show everything they have learned along the way, and in three hours demonstrate the kind of cook they have become. They must produce the best three dishes of their lives, push their culinary boundaries and produce jaw-droppingly good food for the judges. It's now or never for these exceptional amateur cooks as only one of them can lift the trophy and become the fourteenth MasterChef champion.
