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.