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.
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.
Six more contestants will face heats and one will go through to the quarter-finals.
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.
Quarter final 1.
Quarter final 2.
Quarter final 3.
Quarter final 4.
Quarter final 5.
Quarter final 6.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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. Only the lucky ones who become contestants and win a MasterChef apron will have the right to cook in the state-of-the-art cathedral to culinary hopes and dreams: the brand-new MasterChef kitchen. In this one-hour show, hopefuls plucked from their home kitchens arrive in London from across Britain for the auditions. One by one, they cook their hearts and souls out for the judges before they hear their fate. With only the most delicious morsels leading to a place, emotions are running high for the amateurs and their accompanying family and friends. Only the best will win a place, taking their first step to winning MasterChef 2011
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.
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. From these blind tastings, the judges selected the best 24 contestants. Over the course of this week's programmes, the 24 chosen best cooks are split into three groups of eight as they battle for just 12 MasterChef aprons and the chance to go through to the main competition. In this episode, the first eight of the chosen 24 battle against each other. Firstly, they must hold their nerve in the dreaded Invention Test where, with only one hour and 15 minutes, the hopefuls must impress the judges with an exceptional dish. For two contestants, it will be the end of the road. The remaining six must then face the pressure of a professional kitchen, working a packed lunchtime service in two London restaurants, The Living Room and Gilgamesh. After just an hour of learning the ropes, they are set loose to prepare dishes for paying customers. Finally they return to the MasterChef kitchen, where all their hopes rest on just one dish. The contestants must draw on all their skills and influences as they prepare their own food to the highest standard in their last chance to impress John and Gregg.
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. For two hopefuls, this will mark the end of the MasterChef journey. The six remaining contestants must next face their first taste of a professional kitchen, as they try to stand up to the pressure of a busy lunch service in London restaurants Prism and Imli. Paying customers' expectations must be met, and with only one hour to get to grips with the dishes the heat is really on. Finally, it is back to the MasterChef kitchens where all hopes rest on just one dish. To impress John and Gregg and ensure a spot in the competition, the six must be on the top of their game to create a plate of their own food that will suitably wow the judges.
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. The remaining six then face the pressure of a lunchtime service in two busy restaurants, Swan at the Globe and Le Porte des Indes. Thrust into their first professional kitchen, the contestants have only one hour to learn the ropes before they are expected to deliver perfect dishes to the paying customers. Finally, it's back to the MasterChef kitchen where hopes rest on just one dish. Cooking their own plate of food for the judges, the contestants have to be on top of their game to impress John and Gregg.
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. Each of the cooks is allocated a course and then they have just one hour and 30 minutes to prepare the meals. It is an impressive menu, and the guests have four starters, mains and desserts to choose from - but which will be the most popular? With John overseeing the kitchen, the pace and the tension is immense for the amateurs to deliver their own food to the incredibly discerning diners. Not only must they be cooked perfectly and to John's standard, but they must also reach the pass at the same time so that no starter, main or dessert is late.
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. They have just three hours to create six savoury dishes and two deserts between them, but can the teams manage to impress both the judges and the guests, and can they get the food out on time? With a range of ingredients to work from including chicken, salmon, duck, samphire, gooseberries, basil, figs and quince, the menus are set to be mouthwatering. John and Gregg must then decide which team performed the best, at which stage the successful five then have the opportunity of working with one of the country's most exciting and respected chefs, Jason Atherton. They may have triumphed at mass catering, but the five winning team members must now show they have what it takes to cook at the top level. They are each made responsible for one course at an exclusive dinner. Cooking of this standard requires the utmost attention to detail and impeccable timing, but one of the hopefuls won't quite reach the mark and their MasterChef journey will come to an end.
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. With the clock ticking, they have just 20 minutes to design their menu and only two and a half hours to create over 100 portions each of two tasty and satisfying meat dishes, and one substantial vegetarian option. Can the contestants work together as a team and prove they have what it takes this time, or will the pressure of cooking in volume be their undoing once more? The remaining contestants must then return to the MasterChef kitchen to do battle as individuals. The cooks have just one daunting challenge to ensure their place in the competition - to make a show-stopping dish for judges John and Gregg. With only one hour and 30 minutes to deliver a simply sublime dish bursting with skill, flair, flavour, and presentation, the stakes are high for the contestants. They will have to cook their socks off to show John and Gregg that they still deserve a place in the competition.
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. The MasterChef cooks are taught to prepare a dish that captures the heart and philosophy of their chosen country. They then must compete in the heat of service, mastering another dish working under their head chef, ensuring they reach the exacting standards of not only the restaurant and chef, but the specific cuisine of their chosen area. The contestants must take in everything they can if they are to impress when they return to the MasterChef kitchen. Here, watched by their mentor, they must create one dish that proves they have understood how to encapsulate their chosen country's style and flavours, and show John and Gregg that they have the skill to succeed.
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. The contestants have just 90 minutes to create a dish which showcases Scottish produce, with one of the chefs facing elimination at the end of the challenge. The remaining six travel to the Cumbrian countryside for a lesson in just how exciting British ingredients can be. Expert forager and Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan has made his name using foraged and locally-sourced produce at his Cartmel restaurant, L'Enclume. The contestants are taken out to the fields, shoreline and hedgerows of the local area to find the edible treats that are on offer, before working in their most challenging conditions yet - a temporary kitchen set up in a local farmer's barn. They must create a delicious lunch for Simon's 25 guests, including the local food producers and farmers that he works with. With a range of locally-sourced and foraged ingredients to choose from, the contestants must impress with dishes that showcase the wonderful produce.
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. With David Thompson - Thai food guru and Executive Chef of Michelin-starred Thai restaurant Nahm - on hand to guide them through the basics, the contestants have to deal with unfamiliar ingredients and processes to get the food cooked in time. Will they manage to complete the dishes and impress the discerning locals enough to get them to part with their cash? Next, they travel into the Northern Mountains, to an ancient region heavily influenced by Burmese and Chinese cultures, where the food is unlike anything else found in Thailand. The contestants face an incredible challenge: to create a traditional ceremonial banquet for 50 specially invited guests at the Thai Royal Projects - an initiative set up by the King to encourage the local hill tribes to grow fruit and vegetables instead of opium. The cooks' Thailand adventure culminates in their most daunting challenge to date - cooking a fine dining dinner for one of the most revered Thai princes and his close family.
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.
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.
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. Then they are asked to recreate John's dish in just one hour - without a recipe. At the end of these two challenges, some of the hopefuls will have reached the end of their MasterChef journey. Next the remaining contestants must face their first taste of a professional kitchen, as they try to stand up to the pressure of a busy lunch service at London's Mango Tree restaurant. Paying customers' expectations must be met and with only one hour to get to grips with the dishes, the heat is really on. Then, it's back to the MasterChef kitchen for the final test of the Heat show - cooking their own two brilliant courses to impress John and Gregg. The contestants must draw on all their skills and influences as they prepare this food because it is their last chance to win a place in the quarter-finals. Only the best will survive, and join the previous heat winners to battle it out in the quarter-final.
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. Then they are asked to recreate John's dish in just one hour - without a recipe. At the end of these two challenges, for two contestants it is the end of the road. The remaining three are then thrown into a busy lunch time service in London's One-O-One Restaurant and after just an hour of learning the ropes, the home cooks are set loose to prepare dishes for paying customers. Finally, it's back to the MasterChef kitchen for the final test of the Heat show - cooking their own two brilliant courses to impress John and Gregg. The contestants must draw on all their skills and influences as they prepare this food because it is their last chance to win a place in the quarter-finals. Only the best will survive, taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2013.
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. Then they are asked to recreate John's dish in just one hour - without a recipe. At the end of these two challenges, for two contestants it is the end of the road. The remaining three are then thrown into a busy lunchtime service in London's Bistro 51 and, after just an hour of learning the ropes, the home-cooks are set loose to prepare dishes for paying customers. Finally, it's back to the MasterChef kitchen for the final test of tonight's Heat show - cooking their own two brilliant courses to impress John and Gregg. The contestants must draw on all their skills and influences as they prepare this food, because it is their last chance to win a place in the quarter-finals. Only the best will survive, taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2013.
The Invention and Palate Tests (seafood chowder and soda bread) eliminate two cooks from the next set of hppefuls. 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. Then they are asked to recreate John's dish in just one hour - without a recipe. At the end of these two challenges, for two contestants it is the end of the road. The remaining three are then thrown into a busy lunchtime service in The Rib Room Bar and Restaurant and, after just an hour of learning the ropes, the home-cooks are set loose to prepare dishes for paying customers. Finally, it is back to the MasterChef kitchen for the final test of the heat show - cooking their own two brilliant courses to impress John and Gregg. The contestants must draw on all their skills and influences as they prepare this food, because it is their last chance to win a place in the quarter-finals.
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.
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. They then face the infamous invention test, choosing between two sealed boxes of ingredients. This time round, sweet ingredients include raspberries, filo pastry, brioche and rolled oats, while the savoury box contains chicken thighs, black pudding and roquefort. Two amateurs are sent home, and the four remaining cooks must cook an impressive menu for some special guests from the show's past. At the end of this, John and Gregg will select two cooks to take the next step in the competition and go through to the week's quarter-final.
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. Without seeing him prepare it, 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 palate and sense of smell. Then they are asked to recreate John's dish without a recipe in just one hour and fifteen minutes, selecting from ingredients that may or may not belong in the dish. For their second challenge, the four must go head-to-head to cook their own show-stopping dish for John and Gregg, as well as a surprise judge. In this episode the respected food critic and ex-chef Charles Campion faces the contestants in the flesh for the first time, and tells them exactly what he thinks of their food. At the end of this quarter-final, only the best amateurs will go through to the next round and take another step closer to being crowned MasterChef champion 2014. For the rest, the MasterChef dream will be over.
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 sweet ingredients are apples, chestnuts, cloves, sweet wine, amaretto, cinnamon sticks, and brioche, while the savoury box contains duck breast, mussels, rainbow chard, beetroot, spring onion, plums, coriander, thyme, coconut milk, puy lentils and goat's cheese. The amateurs have just one hour to cook a dish good enough to keep them in the competition. The stakes are high because, after this test, two of them will go home. The four remaining cooks face one more challenge to obtain a place in the quarter-final. Replicating the conditions of service, they have to cook an impressive menu for some very special guests. In this episode the second MasterChef champion, Peter Bayless, joins 2012 finalist Andrew Kojima and 2011 semi-finalist Jackie Kearney as they give their verdict. There is also the chance to find out what triumphs and challenges they have faced since their own MasterChef journeys. After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg will decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to the quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to pull out all the stops to survive, taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2014.
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 sweet ingredients are a coconut, passion fruit, white rum, limes, pudding rice, freeze-dried raspberries, mint and mascarpone; while the savoury box contains trout, a pork chop, baby red peppers, mushrooms, butter beans, carrots, coriander, samphire, thyme, rocket and an apple. The amateurs have just one hour to cook a dish good enough to keep them in the competition. The stakes are high because, after this test, two of them will go home. The four remaining cooks face one more challenge to obtain a place in the quarter-final. Replicating the conditions of service, they have to cook an impressive menu for some very special guests. In this episode the 2007 MasterChef champion, Steven Wallis, joins 2012 champion Shelina Permalloo and 2006 finalist Dean Edwards as they give their verdict. There is also the chance to find out what triumphs and challenges they have faced since their own MasterChef journeys. After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg will decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to the quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to pull out all the stops to survive, taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2014.
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. Without seeing him prepare it, 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 palate and sense of smell. Then they are asked to recreate John's dish without a recipe in just one hour and fifteen minutes, selecting from ingredients that may or may not belong in the dish. For their second challenge, the four must go head-to-head to cook their own show-stopping dish for John and Gregg, as well as a surprise judge. In this episode the respected and incisive food critic Tracey MacLeod faces the contestants in the flesh for the first time, and tells them exactly what she thinks of their food. At the end of this quarter-final, only the best amateurs will go through to the next round and take another step closer to being crowned MasterChef champion 2014. For the rest, the MasterChef dream will be over.
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. 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. After John and Gregg have gauged the skill of cooks in the room it's time for the next challenge - the infamous Invention Test - the test that continues to strike fear into the hearts of even the best cooks. But this year for the first time, the contestants are given the choice of two sealed boxes of ingredients - one sweet and one savoury. Without looking inside the box, they must choose which one they want to cook with. Also, chef John Torode takes on this challenge himself, showing the viewers at home just what is possible with the few ingredients. In the sweet box the ingredients are: ricotta, black cherries, bananas, Kirsch, cocoa powder, cashew nuts, nutmeg and sponge fingers. The savoury box contains: tofu, pak choi, asparagus, coconut milk, anchovy fillets, bamboo shoots, sesame seeds, mint, fresh coriander and aubergines. The contestants then have just one hour to cook a dish good enough to keep them in the competition. The stakes are high because after this test, two of the amateurs must go home. The four remaining cooks now have one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. Replicating the conditions of service, t
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. 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. After John and Gregg have gauged the skill of cooks in the room it's time for the next challenge - the infamous Invention Test - the test that continues to strike fear into the hearts of even the best cooks. But this year for the first time, the contestants are given the choice of two sealed boxes of ingredients - one sweet and one savoury. Without looking inside the box, they must choose which one they want to cook with. Also, chef John Torode takes on this challenge himself, showing the viewers at home just what is possible with the few ingredients. In the sweet box the ingredients are: amaretto, dates, golden syrup, raisins, star anise, brazil nuts, marzipan and tinned apricots. The savoury box contains: squid, chicken breast, tomatoes, coriander, watercress, baby fennel, cannellini beans, cashew nuts and soba noodles. The contestants then have just one hour to cook a dish good enough to keep them in the competition. The stakes are high because after this test, two of the amateurs must go home. The four remaining cooks now have one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. Replicating the conditions of service, they have
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. Without seeing John prepare it, 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. Then they are asked to recreate John's dish without a recipe in just one hour fifteen minutes, selecting from ingredients that may or may not belong in the dish. For their second challenge, the four must go head-to-head to cook their own show-stopping dish for John and Gregg, as well as a surprise judge. In this episode the straight talking and incisive food critic Jay Rayner faces the contestants in the flesh for the first time, and tells them exactly what he thinks of their food. At the end of this quarter-final, only the best amateurs will go through to the next round and take another step closer to being crowned MasterChef champion 2014. For the rest, the MasterChef dream will be over.
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. Chef John Torode takes on this challenge himself, showing the viewers at home just what is possible with the few ingredients. The sweet ingredients are rhubarb, pomegranate, puff pastry, an orange, semolina, a lime, flaked almonds and popping candy, while the savoury box contains pollock, sausages, capers, fennel, turmeric, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, couscous, parmesan cheese and quail's eggs. The amateurs have just one hour to cook a dish good enough to keep them in the competition. The stakes are high because, after this test, two of them will go home. The four remaining cooks face one more challenge to obtain a place in the quarter-final. Replicating the conditions of service, they have to cook an impressive menu for some very special guests. In this episode the 2007 MasterChef champion, Steven Wallis, joins MasterChef finalists Sara Danesin and Alex Rushmer as they give their verdict. There is also the chance to find out what triumphs and challenges they have faced since their own MasterChef journeys. After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg will decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to the quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to pull out all the stops to survive, taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2014.
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. Chef John Torode takes on this challenge himself, showing the viewers at home just what is possible with the few ingredients. The sweet ingredients are pineapple, white chocolate, digestive biscuits, pecan nuts, creme fraiche, sherry and szechuan pepper, while the savoury box contains a saddle of rabbit, smoked haddock, bacon rashers, curly kale, vine tomatoes, dried morels, baby turnips, leeks, cayenne pepper, polenta and sage. The amateurs have just one hour to cook a dish good enough to keep them in the competition. The stakes are high because, after this test, two of them will go home. The four remaining cooks face one more challenge to obtain a place in the quarter-final. Replicating the conditions of service, they have to cook an impressive menu for some very special guests. In this episode 2009 MasterChef champion Mat Follas joins fellow finalist from that year Andy Oliver and 2011 finalist Tom Whitaker as they give their verdict. There is also the chance to find out what triumphs and challenges they have faced since their own MasterChef journeys. After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg will decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to the quarter-final.
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. Without seeing him prepare it, 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 palate and sense of smell. Then they are asked to recreate John's dish without a recipe in just one hour and fifteen minutes, selecting from ingredients that may or may not belong in the dish. For their second challenge, the four must go head-to-head to cook their own show-stopping dish for John and Gregg, as well as a surprise judge. In this episode the renowned and sharp-tongued food critic Kate Spicer faces the contestants in the flesh for the first time, and tells them exactly what she thinks of their food. At the end of this quarter-final, only the best amateurs will go through to the next round and take another step closer to being crowned MasterChef champion 2014. For the rest, the MasterChef dream will be over.
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. Over the next two episodes it's a baptism of fire as the remaining ten contestants are split into two groups of five and get their first taste of professional cooking. In this episode the first group of five contestants head to a restaurant in London, where MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Adam Handling is head chef. During a busy lunch service, the five amateurs will be 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? Then, back at MasterChef HQ, the cooks face an invention test to show John and Gregg what they have learned. In a last-chance bid to stay in the competition, each contestant must show they can invent a dish from scratch that looks and tastes exceptional. They can choose from a plentiful array of seasonal produce that ranges from the everyday to top-end ingredients. In an unexpected twist, they present their food not only to John and Gregg, but also to renowned two-Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing, who helps John and Gregg evaluate the five amateurs. After this, one of them will be going home. Who will crumble under the pressure and who will make it through to Friday's challenge - the gateway to this year's semi-finals?
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.
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. 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. If they both choose the same dish then they will select their second preference. The two lucky cooks will be safe - for now - and sail straight through to the third test. The remaining three contestants must cook again in a twist on the infamous invention test - the reinvention test. The hopefuls are given the main ingredient from their calling card dish, as well as access to the larder. Using that same ingredient, they must reinvent the dish to create a brand new plate of food that will sway the judges and earn them a place in the next round. They have one hour and fifteen minutes to cook a dish good enough to keep them in the competition. The stakes are high - it's the end of the road for one person after this cook-off, as one of the amateurs will be sent home. The four remaining cooks now have one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. To earn their place they have to cook an impressive menu that will excite not just John and Gregg but also some very special guests. Once again, some of the competition's most inspiring winners and finalists return to judge the food of this year's new
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. If they both choose the same dish then they will select their second preference. The two lucky cooks will be safe - for now - and sail straight through to the third test. The remaining three contestants must cook again in a twist on the infamous invention test - the reinvention test. The hopefuls are given the main ingredient from their calling card dish, as well as access to the larder. Using that same ingredient, they must reinvent the dish to create a brand new plate of food that will sway the judges and earn them a place in the next round. They have one hour and fifteen minutes to cook a dish good enough to keep them in the competition. The stakes are high it's the end of the road for one person after this cook-off, as one of the amateurs will be sent home. The four remaining cooks now have one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. To earn their place they have to cook an impressive menu that will excite not just John and Gregg but also some very special guests. Once again, some of the competition's most inspiring winners and finalists return to judge the food of this year's new contenders to the throne. In tonight's heat, last year's final three are back! The contestants must attempt to impress 2014 champion Ping Coombes and finalists Jack Lucas and Luke Owen when they return to give their verdict. After the four hopefuls have cooked, John and Gregg will decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final.
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. Tonight's brief has been set by the straight-talking and incisive Jay Rayner, who asks them to cook a main based on the following instructions - 'I am looking for a dish that uses just a few ingredients, i.e. essentially three things on the plate, plus a sauce, if I'm being generous.' After cooking their savoury dish based on this brief, but without knowing who has set it, the contestants are finally introduced to their critic and must stand before them with their dish. Face to face, they will hear exactly what Jay Rayner, as well as John and Gregg, thinks of the main and how well they have kept to the brief. After this searing honesty, the quarter-finalists must return to the kitchen and prepare a dessert that fulfills Jay's brief - 'A good dessert should appeal to the greedy child inside every adult.' At the end of tonight's quarter-final, three cooks will go through to Knockout Week, taking another step closer to being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015. For one, their MasterChef dream will be over.
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. The remaining three contestants must cook again in a twist on the infamous invention test - the reinvention test. The hopefuls are given the main ingredient from their calling card dish as well as access to the larder. Using that same ingredient they must reinvent the dish to create a brand new plate of food that will sway the judges and earn them a place in the next round. It's the end of the road for one person after this cook-off. To earn their place in the quarter-final, the four remaining cooks have to cook a menu that will impress not just John and Gregg but also three MasterChef Champions - 2014 champion Ping Coombes, 2013 champion Natalie Coleman and MasterChef's first winner Thomasina Miers return to give their verdicts. After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first steps towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
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. The remaining three contestants must cook again in a twist on the infamous invention test - the reinvention test. The hopefuls are given the main ingredient from their calling card dish as well as access to the larder. Using that same ingredient they must reinvent the dish to create a brand new plate of food that will sway the judges and earn them a place in the next round. It's the end of the road for one person after this cook-off. To earn their place in the quarter-final, the four remaining cooks have to cook a menu that will impress not just John and Gregg but also some of the competition's most inspiring winners and finalists. 2013 champion Natalie Coleman, 2006 finalist Daksha Mistry and 2014 semi-finalist Michael Sanders give their verdicts. After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first steps towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
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. Tonight's brief has been set by the respected and discerning Tracey MacLeod, who asks them to cook a main course based on the following instruction: 'I am looking for a cook who can successfully create an all-vegetable or a vegetable-led dish where it is the main player - it doesn't mean it has to be vegetarian, the vegetable just has to be the star.' After cooking their savoury dish based on this brief, but without knowing who has set it, the contestants are finally introduced to their critic and must stand before them with their dish. Face to face, they will hear exactly what Tracey MacLeod, as well as John and Gregg, thinks of the main and how well they have kept to the brief. After this searing honesty, the quarter-finalists must return to the kitchen and prepare a dessert that fulfills Jay's brief - 'fruit and spice, and all things nice.' At the end of tonight's quarter-final, three cooks will go through to Knockout Week, taking another step closer to being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015. For one, their MasterChef dream will be over.
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. The remaining three contestants must cook again in a twist on the infamous invention test - the reinvention test. The hopefuls are given the main ingredient from their calling card dish as well as access to the larder. Using that same ingredient they must reinvent the dish to create a brand new plate of food that will sway the judges and earn them a place in the next round. It's the end of the road for one person after this cook-off. To earn their place in the quarter-final, the four remaining cooks have to cook a menu that will impress not just John and Gregg but also some of the competition's most inspiring winners and finalists. In this episode 2008 champion James Nathan, 2011 champion Tim Anderson and 2007 champion Stephen Wallis are back to give their verdicts. After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first steps towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
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 remaining three contestants must cook again in a twist on the infamous invention test - the reinvention test. The hopefuls are given the main ingredient from their calling card dish as well as access to the larder. Using that same ingredient they must reinvent the dish to create a brand new plate of food that will sway the judges and earn them a place in the next round. It's the end of the road for one person after this cook-off. To earn their place in the quarter-final, the four remaining cooks have to cook a menu that will impress not just John and Gregg but also some of the competition's most inspiring winners and finalists. In this episode 2014 finalist Angela Langford joins 2010 finalist Alex Rushmer and 2006 champion Peter Bayless to give their verdicts. After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first steps towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
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.' After cooking their savoury dish based on this brief, but without knowing who has set it, the contestants are finally introduced to their critic and must stand before them with their dish. Face to face, they will hear exactly what Charles Campion, as well as John and Gregg, thinks of the main and how well they have kept to the brief. After this searing honesty, the quarter-finalists must return to the kitchen and prepare a dessert that fulfills Charles' brief: 'One should be overwhelmed by a good pud!' At the end of tonight's quarter-final, three cooks will go through to Knockout Week, taking another step closer to being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015. For one, their MasterChef dream will be over.
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. The remaining three contestants must cook again in a twist on the infamous invention test - the reinvention test. The hopefuls are given the main ingredient from their calling card dish as well as access to the larder. Using that same ingredient they must reinvent the dish to create a brand new plate of food that will sway the judges and earn them a place in the next round. It's the end of the road for one person after this cook-off. To earn their place in the quarter-final, the four remaining cooks have to cook a menu that will impress not just John and Gregg but also some of the competition's most inspiring winners and finalists. In this episode 2005 champion Thomasina Miers, 2014 semi-finalist Robert Austin and 2010 finalist Tim Kinnaird give their judgments. After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first steps towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
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 remaining three contestants must cook again in a twist on the infamous invention test - the reinvention test. The hopefuls are given the main ingredient from their calling card dish as well as access to the larder. Using that same ingredient they must reinvent the dish to create a brand new plate of food that will sway the judges and earn them a place in the next round. It's the end of the road for one person after this cook-off. To earn their place in the quarter-final, the four remaining cooks have to cook a menu that will impress not just John and Gregg but also some of the competition's most inspiring winners and finalists. This time, last year's final three are back! 2014 champion Ping Coombes and finalists Jack Lucas and Luke Owen return to give their verdicts. After the four contestants have cooked, John and Gregg decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first steps towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
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.' After cooking their main dish based on this brief, but without knowing who has set it, the contestants are finally introduced to their critic and must stand before him with their dishes. Face to face, they will hear exactly what William Sitwell, as well as John and Gregg, thinks of the mains and how well they have kept to the brief. After this searing honesty, the quarter-finalists must return to the kitchen and prepare a dessert that fulfills William's brief: 'I love classic English puddings - blackberry and apple crumble, treacle tart. I love a good tarte tatin.' At the end of tonight's quarter-final, three cooks will go through to Knockout Week, taking another step closer to being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015. For one, their MasterChef dream will be over.
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. Their fate now rests on a daunting cook-off and one dish that they must design around briefs given by John and Gregg. John's brief asks for, 'a main course with true origin - it has a reason, a story, a reality - and must be a true and proper classic from any culture'. Gregg's pudding instruction is to 'make it thick, make it sticky and make it brown!' The cooks must each decide which brief to follow and deliver just one dish that stands out from the crowd and proves to judges that they have a future in the competition. Afterwards, John and Gregg choose the best nine chefs to go straight through to the next stage, leaving the weakest three to cook off again. In the most pressured hour of their lives, the three remaining chefs must cook their show-stopper dish in a fight for the two remaining places in the competition, knowing that nothing less that perfection is required to survive.
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? Then, it's back to MasterChef HQ for an invention test to show John and Gregg just what they have learnt. In a last-chance bid to stay in this year's competition, each contestant has to show they can invent a dish from scratch that looks and tastes exceptional. They can choose from a plentiful array of seasonal produce that ranges from the everyday to top-end ingredients. In an unexpected twist, the contestants discover that they not only have to present their food to John and Gregg, but also a guest judge who will be helping John and Gregg evaluate the five amateurs - renowned Professional MasterChef judge and formidable perfectionist Monica Galetti. After this, one of them will be going home. Who will crumble under the pressure and who will make it through to Friday's challenge - the gateway to this year's semi-finals? In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to stand out to survive - taking another precious step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
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? Afterwards, it's back to the MasterChef kitchen for an invention test to show John and Gregg just what they have learnt. In a last-chance bid to stay in the competition, each contestant must demonstrate they can invent a dish from scratch that looks and tastes exceptional. They can choose from a plentiful array of seasonal produce that ranges from the everyday to top-end ingredients. In an unexpected twist, MasterChef Professionals judge and formidable perfectionist Monica Galetti returns to help John and Gregg assess the six amateurs. After this, another contestant will be going home. Who will crumble under the pressure and who will make it through to Friday's challenge - the gateway to this year's semi-finals? In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to stand out to survive - taking another precious step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
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. It's vital the team leaves clues for each other, as each cook needs to decipher what the dish is supposed to be through the hints left behind. The first team member is responsible for designing and starting to cook the dish, with the second and third cooks contributing towards the main body of the dish and the fourth finishing and presenting it. Will the contestants be able to produce a dish that impresses John and Gregg within the time limit set? It's the semi-finals and the judges' expectations are sky high, as these amateurs battle to prove they've got what it takes to be crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
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. Split into two teams of four, for the first time the semi-finalists have to run their own kitchens in specially constructed catering tents beside the Red Arrows' main runway. As they cook with the Red Arrows practising their daredevil moves over their tents, will the contestants be able to rise to the challenge and produce a lunch worthy of the occasion? With less than four hours to create 100 plates of food, organisation and teamwork is essential for success. It's vital the two teams perform at their absolute best because after judging their food, John and Gregg pick the weakest team to return to the MasterChef kitchen, where they must cook off against each other in a special palate test. Here they must rely on their sense of smell and palate to decipher exactly what's in a dish cooked by John - before having to replicate the dish themselves. With one more contestant going home after this, the fight is on to stay in the competition and take another step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.
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. The cooks have to rely on their ingenuity and skill rather than quality cuts to push their dish to the forefront. Who will make a pig's ear of it, and who will show they have what it takes to make it to the top? It's imperative they step up to the plate and perform to their best, because after this test John and Gregg will send another cook home. The remaining best six semi-finalists are then pushed even further when they must cook for five of the world's most expert palates: the Supertasters. This highly esteemed gathering make a living out of their ability to analyze food and drink: one guest has his tastebuds insured for over a million pounds; two are masters of wine and one is an acclaimed professor in the science of taste. Working in teams of two, the contestants have just three hours to cook a six-course tasting menu that pushes the boundaries and stimulates the minds and senses of their special table of diners.
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. The dinner will be overseen by legendary chef Michael Caines, one of only a handful of British chefs to have held two Michelin stars for over 15 years. Michael has devised a five-course menu for the dinner and the amateurs will be challenged like never before to replicate his exquisite food for this important occasion. The guests all have a strong connection to Winston Churchill. They include Celia Sandys, one of Churchill's ten grandchildren, Churchill's great-grandson Randolph Churchill, renowned Churchill academics Cita Stelzer and David Reynolds, and the evening's host, head of the Churchill Archives Allen Packwood. Can the MasterChef final five blow these guests away with some amazing food worthy of the great man himself? But it doesn't stop there. Back at the MasterChef kitchen, the finalists are challenged to cook a dish inspired by a hero of theirs. It's high drama as the amateurs push themselves to the limit to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Who can impress enough to make it through to the final four and keep alive their dream of winning MasterChef 2015?
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. Here a whole new culinary movement is taking hold. Young, ingenious chefs are gaining global attention by bucking the trend of a scientific approach to food and returning to thousand-year-old cooking techniques. Over the 48 hours the finalists will experience two very different restaurants leading this revolution. The first has no menu and invents dishes on the day with whatever ingredients their suppliers bring in. The second cooks with no electricity or gas and puts its faith in the most primitive cooking method of all - open fire. Tonight, these amateurs are about to experience a baptism of fire as they return to the cookery techniques of the culinary Stone Age. Out of their comfort zone, the final four are in a world like no other where every ounce of passion, understanding and character must be used to see them through. With their Swedish adventure over and the MasterChef final just two days away, they return to London to fight for their place in the competition. Tonight's final challenge is to cook an exceptional fish dish for John, Gregg and a guest judge, two-Michelin-starred Nathan Outlaw, renowned for his expertise with fish and seafood. Only three can go through to the penultimate and final MasterChef challenges, so the pressure is on to keep their dream of winning the competition alive.
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. Before they get to cook with Massimo, there is one last chance for the final three to hone their skills and push their imaginations. John and Gregg challenge the final three to work as a team to create a fine dining menu from a selection of seasonal vegetables, duck and rhubarb. Massimo has designed an exquisite three-course menu for the Chef's Table. Each contestant will cook one course. Their guests are a table of the country's finest chefs - Michelin-starred legends Marcus Wareing, Daniel Clifford, Andrew Fairlie and Anthony Demetre, as well as renowned Italian chef Francesco Mazzei - a set of diners to strike fear into the heart of any professional chef, let alone three amateurs. Massimo's food is anything but basic - each dish requires complex techniques and skill to produce it. The finalists battle with unfamiliar methods and dishes that demand precision cooking, a flawless palate and perfect timing. For the final three it's their last chance before the final to prove they have what it takes to win the MasterChef title.
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.
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. The two lucky cooks will sail straight through to the second test. The remaining three contestants are presented with two trays - one contains the ingredients for a sweet dish, the other has ingredients for a savoury dish. The contestants must decide whether to create a savoury dish using lamb rump as the main ingredient or a sweet dish using mango as the central ingredient. Once they've made their decision, they have one hour to create a dish that will impress the judges and earn them a place in the next round. The stakes are high as after this cook-off, one of the amateurs will be sent home. The four remaining cooks now have to cook two courses that will excite not just John and Gregg, but also some very special guests. Some of MasterChef's most inspiring winners and finalists return to judge the food of this year's new contenders. The contestants must attempt to impress 2014 finalist Luke Owen, 2014 finalist Angela Langford and 2014 champion Ping Coombes. John and Gregg will then decide which three contestants deserve to go through to Friday's quarter final.
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. Once both groups have finished cooking, John and Gregg decide who is good enough to continue in the competition. The red team are the first to cook. 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. However, they won't find out their fate just yet, as they'll have to wait until the blue team have cooked before John and Gregg will choose who stays and who goes. 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, 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? Then it's back to MasterChef HQ for an Invention Test to show John and Gregg just what they have learnt. In a last-chance bid to stay in this year's competition, each contestant has to show they can invent an exceptional dish that is worthy of gracing the table of a professional restaurant. In an unexpected twist, the contestants discover that they not only have to present their food to John and Gregg, but also a guest judge who will be helping John and Gregg evaluate the five amateurs - the formidable Professional MasterChef judge, two Michelin-starred Marcus Wareing. After this, one of them will be going home. Who will crumble under the pressure and who will make it through to Friday's challenge - the gateway to this year's semi-finals?
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. In a last chance bid to stay in this year's competition, each amateur chef must demonstrate they can invent a dish from scratch that looks and tastes exceptional and is worthy of gracing the table of a professional restaurant. In an unexpected twist, the formidable Professional MasterChef judge, two Michelin-starred Marcus Wareing returns to help John and Gregg assess the six amateurs. After this, one of them will be going home. Who will crumble under the pressure and who will make it through to Friday's challenge - the gateway to this year's semi-finals?
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. It's vital the team leaves clues for each other, as each cook needs to decipher what the dish is supposed to be through the hints left behind. The first team member is responsible for designing and starting to cook the dish, the second and third cooks contributing towards the main body of the dish, and the fourth finishing and presenting it. Will the contestants be able to produce two courses that impress John and Gregg within the time limit set?
The 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. With less than four hours to deliver, organisation and teamwork is essential for success. It's vital the two teams perform at their absolute best and produce a lunch worthy of the occasion, because after judging their food, John and Gregg pick the weakest team to return to the MasterChef kitchen, where they must cook-off against each other in a special Invention Test. The contestants must create a stunning dish from the leftover produce from the previous challenge, which includes cod heads and trimmings, vegetables, fruit, bacon, pancetta and black pudding. With one more contestant going home after this, the battle is on to stay in the competition and take another step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2016.
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. The diners are all restaurateurs who are at the forefront of dining trends and have paved the way for culinary excellence, so their expectations are sky high. The contestants must each serve one dish of their own creation on the specially designed menu. Under the watchful eye of John Torode, the amateurs will be challenged like never before to deliver dishes of an exceptional level, because the two chefs who cook the most popular dishes will be exempt from the next cook-off. Back at the MasterChef kitchen, the remaining five chefs have to cook against each other in a bid to stay in the competition. It's high drama as the amateurs push themselves to the limit to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Who can impress enough to make it through to the final four and keep their dream alive of winning MasterChef 2016?
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. Can the MasterChef final five impress these distinguished guests with some amazing food worthy of the occasion? Back at the MasterChef kitchen, the finalists are challenged to demonstrate everything they've learnt and create a dish inspired by something personal in their lives that shows imagination, flair and creativity. It's high drama as the amateurs push themselves to the limit to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace and stay in the competition. Who can make it through to the final four and keep their dream alive of winning MasterChef 2016?
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. Here, they face three extraordinary challenges, guided by acclaimed chef Enrique Olvera. Over the last 15 years, Enrique Olvera has led a revolution in Mexican cuisine, inspired by the street food of the country, and his restaurant Pujol is ranked in the world's top 20. The amateurs are about to experience a baptism of fire as their first task is to set up a food stall in the heart of the market, using ingredients, cooking methods and equipment that are entirely alien to them. Next, the amateurs have the honour of taking over lunch service at Pujol, a restaurant renowned as the best in the country and famed as an international dining destination. The guests are all respected figures of Mexico's culinary world. There's no room for error as Enrique's expectations are sky high. Finally, the finalists have the daunting challenge of creating an exceptional dinner at the British Embassy for some of the leading figures in Mexico's cultural and food communities. Inspired by their Mexican culinary adventure, and showcasing the skills they've developed through their entire MasterChef journey, the amateurs' dishes must be truly exceptional for them to stand out and prove they have what it takes to be crowned MasterChef Champion 2016.
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. Only three of the remaining four amateurs will get the chance to take part. For one, their MasterChef dream is about to come to an end. To fight for their place, John and Gregg challenge the amateurs to cook a classic dish with their stamp on it. Failure to impress will cost them because, after judging their dishes, John and Gregg will send one more amateur chef home. The final three contestants now face the ultimate challenge. Culinary talent Daniel Humm has designed an exquisite three-course menu for today's lunch, and each contestant will be responsible for one of his signature dishes. The dishes require complex techniques, precise cooking and an impeccable palate. To add to the pressure, the guests are a table of the country's finest chefs - Marcus Wareing, Sat Baines, Ashley Palmer-Watts, Clare Smyth and Nuno Mendes - a set of diners to strike fear into the heart of any professional chef, let alone our three amateurs. Emotions run high as no one wants to let Daniel or the table of esteemed chefs down. For the final three, it's their last chance before the final to prove they have what it takes to lift the MasterChef trophy.
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.
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. On offer are pork mince, chicken breast and pancetta as well as halibut and mussels. They have an hour and twenty minutes to dazzle the judges and prove they are good enough to stay in the competition. The stakes are high in this round and it's important to choose wisely as, after tasting all eight dishes, John and Gregg decide which five cooks are good enough to stay, while three will be sent home. The five remaining contestants now have one challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. They must cook two courses that will excite not just John and Gregg but also some very special guests. Some of MasterChef's most inspiring winners and finalists return to judge the food of this year's new contenders. In this heat the contestants must attempt to impress last year's MasterChef finalists - Billy Wright, Jack Layer and champion Jane Devonshire. After the five hopefuls have cooked, John and Gregg decide which three contestants deserve to take the next step and go through to the quarter-final.
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. They have one hour and twenty minutes to dazzle the judges and prove they are good enough to stay in the competition. The stakes are high in this round and it's important to choose wisely as, after tasting all eight dishes, John and Gregg must decide which five cooks are good enough to stay, while three of the cooks will be sent home. The five remaining cooks now have one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. They have to cook an impressive menu that will excite not just John and Gregg but also some very special guests. Some of MasterChef's most inspiring winners and finalists return to judge the food of this year's new contenders. In this heat the contestants must attempt to impress the finalists from 2015 - Emma Spitzer, Tony Rodd and champion Simon Wood. After the five hopefuls have cooked, John and Gregg will choose which contestants have what it takes to go through to the quarter-final.
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. On offer are pork chops, beef mince, kidneys, bone marrow and clams. They have one hour and twenty minutes to dazzle the judges and prove they are good enough to stay in the competition. The stakes are high in this round and it's important to choose wisely because after tasting all eight dishes, John and Gregg decide which five cooks are good enough to stay, while three of the cooks will be sent home. The five remaining cooks now have one challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. They have to cook two courses that will excite not just John and Gregg, but also some very special guests. Some of MasterChef's most inspiring winners and finalists return to judge the food of this year's new contenders to the throne. In this heat, the contestants must attempt to impress 2010 MasterChef finalists Alex Rushmer and Tim Kinnaird as well as champion Dhruv Baker. After the five hopefuls have cooked, John and Gregg will decide which three contestants deserve to take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2017.
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. They have one hour and twenty minutes to dazzle the judges and prove they are good enough to stay in the competition. The stakes are high in this round and it's important to choose wisely because after tasting all eight dishes John and Gregg decide which five cooks are good enough to stay, while three of the cooks will be sent home. The five remaining cooks now have one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. They have to cook two courses that will excite not just John and Gregg, but also some very special guests. Some of MasterChef's most inspiring winners and finalists return to judge the food of this year's new contenders to the throne. In tonight's heat, the contestants must attempt to impress 2006 Finalist Dean Edwards as well as Champions Ping Coombes (2014) and Thomasina Miers (2005). After the five hopefuls have cooked, John and Gregg will decide which three contestants deserve to take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2017.
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. With less than four hours to deliver the food, organisation and teamwork is essential for success. It is vital the two teams perform at their absolute best and produce a lunch worthy of the occasion, because after judging their food, John and Gregg pick the weakest team to return to the MasterChef kitchen, where they must cook off against each other in a special invention test. The contestants must create a stunning dish from the leftover produce from the previous challenge, which includes duck carcasses, halibut scraps, vegetables, fruit, and cheeses. One more contestant is then sent home.
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. The contestants must each serve one dish of their own creation on the specially designed menu, and the two chefs who cook the most popular dishes will be exempt from the next cook-off. Back at the MasterChef kitchen, the MasterChef market reopens as the five chefs cook against each other in a bid to stay in the competition, and this time there is no meat or fish. They have one hour and fifteen minutes to create one dish to keep themselves in the competition.
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 dinner is overseen by Paul Ainsworth. He has designed a five-course menu for the guests with an American theme, and with just four hours to replicate his complex dishes, the amateurs are challenged like never before. Back at the MasterChef kitchen, the finalists are then challenged to demonstrate everything they've learnt and create a dish inspired by something personal in their lives that shows imagination, flair and creativity. Who can make it through to the final four and keep their dream alive of winning MasterChef 2017?
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 four contestants take over lunch service his restaurant, The Test Kitchen. There is no room for error as Luke's expectations are sky high. Their third challenge sees the finalists creating an exceptional dinner at the Beau Constantia Winery for some leading figures in Cape Town's cultural and food community. Inspired by their South African culinary adventure and showcasing the skills they have developed, the dishes must be exceptional for them to stand out and prove they have what it takes to be crowned MasterChef Champion 2017.
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. The dishes require complex techniques, precision cooking and an impeccable palate. To add to the pressure, the guests are a table of the country's finest chefs and the amateur's mentors throughout the competition. Shaun Rankin, Steve Groves, Tom Kitchin, Paul Ainsworth, Ashley Palmer-Watts and Clare Smyth are a set of diners to strike fear into the heart of any professional chef, let alone the three amateurs. Emotions run high as no one wants to let Sat or the table of esteemed chefs down. For the final three, it's their last chance before the final to prove they have what it takes to lift the MasterChef trophy.
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 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. 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 some very special guests - 2015's MasterChef finalists Tony Rodd and Emma Spitzer and champion Simon Wood. 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.
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. The challenge is to invent and cook one dish using anything from the Market. This time, the featured ingredients include chicken thighs, chorizo, crab, sea trout and prawns. They have an hour and 10 minutes to dazzle the judges and prove they are good enough to stay. 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 will stay, while three cooks will be sent home. The four remaining cooks will have one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place.
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.
t'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. 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 in this round and it is 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. The four remaining cooks now have one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. They must cook two courses that will excite not just John and Gregg, but also some very special guests. Some of MasterChef's most inspiring winners and finalists return to judge the food of this year's new contenders to the throne. In this heat, the contestants must attempt to impress MasterChef champions Natalie Coleman (2013) and Mat Follas (2009) and finalist Jack Lucas (2014). After the four hopefuls have cooked, John and Gregg will decide which three contestants deserve to take the next step in the competition and go through to the quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2018.
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. This time, the featured ingredients include lamb lion, chicken thighs, scallops, salmon fillets and 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 in this round and it is 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. The four remaining cooks now have one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. They must cook an impressive menu that will excite not just John and Gregg, but also some very special guests. In this second heat, the contestants must attempt to impress the MasterChef champion Ping Coombes (2014) and 2011 finalists, Tom Whittaker and Jackie Kearney. After the four hopefuls have cooked, John and Gregg will decide who has what it takes to go through to Friday's quarter-final. In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2018.
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. His challenge for the amateur cooks is to make their own interpretation of the British classic, a full English breakfast. After cooking their dish based on this brief, the contestants stand before Amol and judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace to hear, face-to-face, what they think of their dish and whether they have 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, taking another step closer to being crowned MasterChef Champion 2018.
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. Their challenge is to create one dish inspired by a personal or family-favourite recipe. After cooking, John and Gregg decide who is good enough to continue in the competition. The blue group are the first to cook. In one hour and 30 minutes they must hold their nerve to deliver a dish that stands out from the crowd and prove to the judges that they have a future in the competition. However, they won't find out their fate just yet, as they have to wait until the red group have cooked before John and Gregg choose who stays and who goes.
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. Their brief is to create one dish inspired by a personal or family-favourite recipe. In one hour and 30 mins, they must hold their nerve to deliver a dish that stands out from the crowd and prove to the judges that they have a future in the competition. John and Gregg must then 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 2018?
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. Who will buckle under the intense pressure as they cook in a demanding and totally new environment? Then it is back to MasterChef HQ for an invention test for John and Gregg. In a 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. The contestants also discover that they not only have to present their food to John and Gregg but also to renowned fish chef and two Michelin-starred Nathan Outlaw, who has picked his favourite ingredients which the contestants must cook with. After this challenge, one of them is sent home. Only the best five make it through to Friday's challenge - the gateway to the semi-finals.
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. It's vital that the two teams perform at their absolute best and produce a lunch worthy of the occasion, because after judging their food, John and Gregg pick the weakest team to return to the MasterChef kitchen, where they cook-off against each other in a special Invention Test. The contestants must create a stunning dish from the leftover produce from the previous challenge, which includes guinea fowl carcasses, salmon scraps, vegetables, fruit, and cheeses. The battle is on to stay in the competition and take another step towards being crowned MasterChef champion 2018.
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. The contestants must each serve one dish of their own creation on the specially designed menu. Under the watchful eye of John Torode, the amateurs are challenged like never before to deliver dishes of an exceptional standard. Once service is complete, it's back to the MasterChef kitchen, where all seven cooks are challenged with creating one plate of food inspired by someone they admire. With two hours to perfect their dishes, the chefs must go all out to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. After this challenge, one amateur cook will leave the competition and only six will remain to continue the battle for the MasterChef champion 2018 trophy.
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. The special lunch is overseen by one of the UK's most impressive young chefs, Tommy Banks. In 2013, at the age of just 24, Tommy became Britain's youngest chef to hold a Michelin star. Tommy has devised an exceptional five-course tasting menu for the guests at Carlton Towers using the best local produce, and with just four hours to recreate his complex and beautiful dishes, the finalists face their biggest challenge yet. The finalists then return to the MasterChef kitchen, where they are faced with the challenge of creating one dish inspired by a place they love, and they have just two hours to showcase all they have learned. Their one dish needs to demonstrate to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have what it takes to go the distance. Will their flair, creativity and palate be enough to save them from being sent home? Who can make it through to the final four and keep their dream alive?
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. To help the finalists make sense of this unfamiliar cuisine, they are mentored by one of Peru's most prolific and celebrated chefs, Gaston Acurio. Next, the amateurs have the honour of working with chef Virgilio Martinez. His world-renowned restaurant Central is known for its unique menu which offers diners a taste of the incredible biodiversity found at different Peruvian altitudes. The four contestants work during a busy lunch service at Central and are given three hours to each cook a dish from Virgilio's 17-course tasting menu. Virgilio's cooking is precise and his standards exacting, so there is no room for error. Finally, the finalists face the daunting challenge of creating a special dinner at the Lima Country Club Hotel for Gaston, Virgilio and three other leading industry figures from the Peruvian food scene - Roberto Grau, Pia Leon and Malena Martinez. The amateur cooks must draw on their experiences of Lima to create their own Peruvian-inspired dish and impress their high-profile guests.
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, Ashley helped create some of the world's most revered dishes before working with Heston to open London restaurant Dinner in 2011. Within months of opening, Dinner won a Michelin star and was awarded its second a year later. Now the four finalists gain a unique insight into Ashley's cuisine as they learn directly from him and his head chef Jonny Glass in the MasterChef kitchen. Each amateur cook has five hours to recreate an iconic dish from Ashley's menu at Dinner, and some of Dinner's recipes have as many as 120 stages of preparation. Once the four finalists have prepared their complex and precise dishes, they must serve them to Ashley and to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Finally the four amateurs are tasked with creating one exceptional dish for John and Gregg that showcases their growing cooking talent. Only three can make it through to the final.
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.
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.
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.
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-finals, 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.
The first set of nine contestants try to appeal to John and Gregg by cooking two signature dishes.
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.
The first four quarter-finalists cook two courses for three previous MasterChef champions - Irini Tzortzoglou, Jane Devonshire and Tim Anderson.
Nine home cooks arrive for the second week of heats, ready to prepare two signature dishes.
This week’s seven best home cooks from the first round return to compete for places in the semi-finals. They must prepare a dish for renowned food critic Grace Dent.
In the second quarter-final, four cooks each prepare two courses for the three MasterChef 2021 finalists, Alexina Anatole, Mike Tomkins and champion Tom Rhodes.
It's the third week of heats, and nine cooks must impress judges John and Gregg with their signature dishes.
This week's remaining contestants are set a brief by one of the country’s toughest food critics, Jimi Famurewa. He wants to see dishes with an interactive, playful or theatrical element.
The third quarter-final sees the four contenders cook for three former MasterChef champions: Simon Wood, Ping Coombes and Shelina Permalloo.
It’s the fourth week of heats, and nine talented home cooks must impress judges John and Gregg with their signature dishes. The two least impressive cooks will be eliminated.
This week's contenders face their most demanding assignment so far: cooking a dish to a brief set by one of the country’s toughest food critics, Jay Rayner.
This week’s four most talented cooks return for the fourth quarter-final, where they must cook for former MasterChef champions Thomas Frake, Dhruv Baker and Saliha Mahmood Ahmed.
It’s the fifth and final week of heats, and the last group of home cooks must impress judges John and Gregg with their signature dishes.
To win a place in the quarter-finals, the remaining contestants must cook to a brief set by one of the country’s toughest food critics, William Sitwell.
In the last of the quarter-finals, this week’s four most talented chefs cook for three former MasterChef champions: Steven Wallis, Kenny Tutt and Thomasina Miers.
To kick off semi-finals week, the ten remaining cooks are given their first taste of what it’s like to work in a restaurant setting, with judge John Torode running the pass.
The remaining semi-finalists cook a three-star lunch for a prestigious centenary event held by the Royal British Legion.
The last semi-final challenge marks ten years since judges John and Gregg were sampled on the hit single Buttery Biscuit Bass. Each cook must design a dish inspired by that song.
The five finalists create dishes inspired by public figures or artworks, films, books or songs. The second challenge then takes them to the Emerald Isle.
The four remaining cooks must offer an interpretation of a classic dish. With one then eliminated, the final three must cook at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London.
The finalists stretch themselves to their limits as they try to produce the three best dishes of their lives for judges John and Gregg. Only one of them will be declared MasterChef champion.
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.
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.
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.
The seven remaining cooks face a challenge set by food critic Jimi Famurewa, in which they must create a dish that 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, and this week’s most talented four cooks return 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.
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.
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.
Five former champions return to the kitchen to compete for the ultimate prize. Facing two demanding challenges set by MasterChef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace are 2011 champion Tim Anderson, 2014 champion Ping Coombes, 2017 champion Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed, 2018 champion Kenny Tutt and 2019 champion Irini Tzortzoglou. First, the returning champions are challenged to create a comforting dish rooted in a memory. In the second round, the champions have two hours and 15 minutes to cook their best two courses for John and Gregg, to show just how far they and their food have come.
