MasterChef (British TV series)

{{short description|British cooking competition television show (1990–)}}

{{for|international adaptations|MasterChef}}

{{Use British English|date=October 2012}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}

{{Infobox television

| alt_name = MasterChef Goes Large (2005–2007)

| image = MasterChef current logo & wordmark.svg

| genre = Reality show

| creator = Franc Roddam

| writer =

| presenter = Loyd Grossman
Gary Rhodes

| judges = John Torode
Grace Dent
Anna Haugh

| narrated = India Fisher

| country = United Kingdom

| language = English

| num_series = MasterChef
11 (original)
19 (revived)
Celebrity MasterChef
18 (aired to date)

| num_episodes = MasterChef
146 (original, inc. specials)
278 (revival, at the end of series 10)
Celebrity MasterChef
316 (end of series 18)

| executive_producer = Franc Roddam

| producer = Karen Ross
David Ambler

| location = Original
TVS Television Theatre (1990){{cite web |url=https://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/the-rest-of-the-uk-today/ex-itv-regional-studios/ |title=Ex-ITV Regional Studios |website=TV Studio History |accessdate=10 September 2023}}
Limehouse Studios (1991){{cite web |url=https://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/itv-studios-in-london/wembley-lee-international-film-studios/ |title=Wembley Studios (Lee, Limehouse, Fountain) |publisher=TV Studio History |accessdate=18 November 2022}}
Revival
City University's Bastwick Street Halls of Residence (2005–11){{cite web|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/news/a43018/things-you-didnt-know-about-masterchef/|title=City University MasterChef Kitchen|date=2016-04-29}}
Ram Brewery (2011–14){{cite web|url=http://www.putneysw15.com/shared/etomwhitaker001.htm?site=3|title=What Now For Putney's Tom Whitaker?|publisher=PutneySW15.com|date=23 May 2011|access-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423063230/http://www.putneysw15.com/shared/etomwhitaker001.htm?site=3|archive-date=23 April 2016|url-status=dead}}
3 Mills Studios (2014–23){{Cite web|url=https://3mills.com/stages/stage-15/|title=Sound Stage & Self Contained Studio, Stage 15 - 3Mills Studios|website=3Mills}}
Digbeth Loc Studios (2024–present){{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-60431498|title=MasterChef production to move to Birmingham|work=BBC News|date=18 February 2022}}

| runtime = 30–90 minutes

| network = BBC One (1990–2000, 2009–present; Celebrity, 2006–2011, 2013–present)
BBC Two (2001, 2005–2008; Celebrity, 2012)

| first_aired = {{Start date|1990|07|02|df=y}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2001|07|03|df=y}}

| first_aired2 = {{Start date|2005|02|21|df=y}}

| last_aired2 = present

| company = Union Pictures{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/has-masterchef-had-its-frites-707400.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/has-masterchef-had-its-frites-707400.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | location=London |work=The Independent |first=Walter |last=Ellis |date=30 July 2000 |title=Has 'Masterchef' had its frites?}} (1990–2000)
Union 175 (2001)
Shine TV and Ziji Productions (2005–present)

| related = {{ubl|Junior MasterChef|Celebrity MasterChef|MasterChef: The Professionals}}

}}

MasterChef is a British competitive cooking reality show produced by Endemol Shine UK and Banijay and broadcast in 60 countries around the world. The show initially ran from 1990 to 2001 and was revived in 2005 as MasterChef Goes Large. The revival featured a new format devised by Franc Roddam and John Silver, with Karen Ross producing. In 2008, the name was changed back to MasterChef but the format remained unchanged.

The series currently appears in four versions: the main MasterChef series; Celebrity MasterChef; MasterChef: The Professionals, with working chefs; and Junior MasterChef, with children between the ages of nine and twelve.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/08_august/24/junior.shtml |title=CBBC gets children cooking as Junior MasterChef is announced |date=24 August 2009}} The format and style of the show have been reproduced around the world in various international versions. It was revealed in November 2024, that following allegations against judge Gregg Wallace, he had decided to temporarily step away from the show.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7n1e8n721o.amp|title=Gregg Wallace steps aside from Masterchef as host as allegations are investigated|date=28 November 2024|website=BBC News}} In December 2024, it was revealed that Wallace has temporarily been replaced with Grace Dent for the next year's celebrity series.{{cite web | url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1990181/celebrity-masterchef-gregg-wallace-replacement | title=BBC Celebrity MasterChef host announced as Gregg Wallace replacement confirmed | date=18 December 2024 }}

Original series

In the original series, amateur cooks competed for the title of Master Chef. The show featured nine rounds leading up to three semifinals and a final. In each round, three contestants were tasked with preparing a gourmet three-course meal in under two hours. The contestants could choose the meal, although there was a price limit on ingredients. "Everyday" ingredients and equipment were provided, and contestants could also bring up to five "speciality" ingredients or utensils.

The first incarnation of the series was presented by Loyd Grossman, who was joined each week by a professional chef and a celebrity to act as judges. In each episode, Grossman and the guest judges discussed the menus, talked to the contestants, and finally ate and judged the food. The judges' "cogitations" originally took place off-camera, but later episodes included edited highlights of the discussions after the food had been tasted and before the winner was announced.

In 1998, Grossman decided to take a sabbatical and the series was not made in his absence.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}} He returned to present the 1999 series but left the show in 2000.

=Grossman's departure and 2001 revamp=

In 2001, the show underwent a makeover in response to declining ratings. It was moved from its traditional Sunday afternoon slot on BBC One to a Tuesday night slot on BBC Two and the format of the show was modified. The celebrity judge was no longer included and the contestants had to cook two courses in 90 minutes, which was extended to two-and-a-half hours for three courses in the final episode. As an additional requirement, each contestant had to use the same key ingredient in each course.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Masterchef|title=Masterchef|website=UK Gameshows|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202173955/http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Masterchef|archive-date=2 December 2019|access-date=2 December 2019}}

In October 2000, Grossman left in anger over the proposed changes and was replaced by chef Gary Rhodes, who had previously presented MasterChef USA.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/976107.stm|title=Grossman quits Masterchef|date=17 October 2000|website=BBC News Online|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202162125/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/976107.stm|archive-date=2 December 2019|access-date=2 December 2019}} Rhodes' advice to contestants was more critical than Grossman's and the show was acclaimed for its more serious tone, which later inspired the MasterChef Goes Large format and other cooking competitions like Hell's Kitchen.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/3290216/The-repast-master.html|title=The repast master - Telegraph|last=Symington|first=Nicki|date=7 July 2001|website=The Telegraph|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202164127/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/3290216/The-repast-master.html|archive-date=2 December 2019|access-date=2 December 2019}}
- {{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/sep/08/foodanddrink.restaurants|title=Between courses... |last=Rayner|first=Jay|date=8 September 2002|website=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202173735/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/sep/08/foodanddrink.restaurants|archive-date=2 December 2019|access-date=2 December 2019}}
However, the new version of the show did not revive ratings as hoped and was cancelled by the BBC after the first series.

Revived series

File:MasterChef old logo & watermark.svg

In 2005, the executive producers Franc Roddam and John Silver, with the series producer Karen Ross, radically overhauled the show's format and introduced a new series. It was initially titled MasterChef Goes Large, but the name reverted to MasterChef in 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/masterchef/ |title=Two Programmes – MasterChef – Previous episodes |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 March 2009}} The new series was judged by John Torode and Gregg Wallace, with voice-over narration provided by India Fisher.

The show proved very popular and became one of BBC Two's more successful early evening programmes, leading to an announcement by the BBC in 2009 that it would be promoted to BBC One.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/03_march/13/masterchef.shtml |title=Press Office – MasterChef rustles up move to BBC One |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 March 2009}}

In February 2022, the BBC and Shine TV announced that they had agreed a multi-series six-year deal for the programme, and from 2024 the production base would move from London to Birmingham.{{cite press release|date=2022-02-18|title=MasterChef to move to Birmingham in landmark deal|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/masterchef-birmingham|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=2022-02-18}} In January 2023, it was reported that Birmingham City Council had approved BBC plans to use the old Banana Warehouse in Digbeth as the new MasterChef studios.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-64288727|title=New BBC MasterChef studios plan in Birmingham approved|work=BBC News |date=16 January 2023|accessdate=17 January 2023}}

=Format=

File:Wallace and Torode.jpg

Each series is broadcast on five nights a week for eight weeks. During the first six weeks, the first four episodes of each week are heats and the fifth episode is a quarter-final. Six contestants enter each heat and the winner becomes a quarter-finalist. At the end of each week, the four quarter-finalists compete and a semi-finalist is chosen. After six weeks, the six semi-finalists compete in the final two weeks.

In 2010, the judges were given more flexibility, allowing them to advance more than one contestant to the quarter-finals or, in one instance, none at all. Series 7 of Master Chef had auditions with a format similar to The X Factor, in which hopeful chefs cooked in front of the judges to secure a spot in the competition. More than 20,000 people applied to audition for the series.{{cite news|work=The Telegraph|publisher=BBC |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8332394/MasterChef-revamp-has-turned-cooking-show-into-The-X-Factor.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8332394/MasterChef-revamp-has-turned-cooking-show-into-The-X-Factor.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=MasterChef revamp 'has turned cooking show into The X Factor' |date= 18 February 2011|access-date=2011-10-22 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}

==Heats==

The heats follow a three-round format:

  • The Market Test: the contestants must invent a dish using ingredients from the show's market. They have 15 minutes to select ingredients and 1 hour and 10 minutes to cook the meal. Three contestants are eliminated from the competition and those remaining advance to the Impression Test.
  • The Calling Card: the contestants must invent a dish from scratch in 75 minutes (originally 40 minutes until 2009). The contestants can choose any ingredients they like.
  • The Invention Test: the contestants are given two boxes: one with sweet items and the other with savoury items. They must pick a box and make a dish using its ingredients within 75 minutes.
  • The Impression Test: the contestants must cook a two-course meal in 75 minutes for past winners and finalists of MasterChef. They are given one hour to serve the main course and 15 minutes afterwards to serve dessert. This segment was first featured in 2017.

==Quarter-finals==

The format of the quarter-finals has changed over the years. Before 2010, the format featured three rounds:

  • The Ingredients Test: the contestants were asked to identify a selection of ingredients or produce.
  • The Passion Test: the contestants each had one minute to convince the judges of their overwhelming passion for food.
  • After eliminating one contestant, the remaining three quarter-finalists each produced a three-course meal in 1 hour and 20 minutes.

In 2010, the quarter-final format was cut to two rounds:

  • The Choice Test: the contestants were given 15 minutes to cook their choice of either a pre-selected fish recipe or meat recipe with the judges supervising. At least one contestant was eliminated after this round.
  • The remaining quarter-finalists each produced a two-course meal in one hour.

The current quarter-final format consists of two rounds:

  • The Palate Test: Judge John Torode cooks a dish for the contestants, and they must identify the ingredients and try to recreate the dish using the ingredients available to them.
  • The Choice Test: the contestants have 80 minutes to create a showstopping dish for the judges and a special celebrity food critic.

==Comeback Week==

The sixth week is called "Comeback Week" and features contestants from previous series of MasterChef who did not advance past the heats or quarter-finals. The format changes for this special week. It includes:

  • The Skill Test: the contestants have 25 minutes to cook one of two pre-selected recipes. Some contestants may be eliminated after this round.
  • The Palate Test: Torode cooks a complex dish and asks the contestants one by one to taste the dish and identify its ingredients. Some contestants may be eliminated after this round.
  • The Pressure Test: the contestants work a lunchtime shift at a busy restaurant under the supervision of a professional chef who comments on their performance.
  • The remaining contestants have one hour to cook a two-course meal. One contestant is selected to advance to the quarter-final.
  • The comeback quarter-finalists then cook head-to-head in a larger version of the Invention Test, cooking one dish in an hour. One contestant is selected to advance to the semi-finals.

MasterChef Live

MasterChef Live is an extension of the television programme. It has been held each November since 2009 and the event lasts three days. It is hosted at London Olympia and is co-located with the annual Wine Show. Highlights of the event include live cooking demonstrations in the Chefs' Theater, celebrity chefs, former contestants, critics and MasterChef-style cook-offs.

''Celebrity MasterChef''

{{Redirect|Celebrity MasterChef|the Hindi TV series|Celebrity MasterChef (Hindi TV series)}}

Celebrity MasterChef was devised as a celebrity version of MasterChef Goes Large. The show was screened on BBC One from 2006 to 2011. Originally, 24 celebrities participated in each series with three contestants per episode following the full MasterChef Goes Large test.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/masterchef/celeb_biogs_index1.shtml |title=Food – TV and radio – Celebrity MasterChef biographies |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 March 2009}}

In 2011, the programme was moved to a daily daytime slot with 30 episodes screened over six weeks and with only 16 celebrities.{{cite news|last=Heritage |first=Stuart |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/sep/12/masterchef-daytime-slot-relight-fire |title=MasterChef goes daytime |work=The Guardian |date= 13 September 2011|access-date=22 October 2011 |location=London}} Catch-up shows were broadcast on Fridays at 20:30 (30 minutes) and on Saturdays at various times (60 minutes). In 2012, the show moved to BBC Two due to low ratings and returned to an evening 18:30 slot. In 2013, it moved back to BBC One prime time, shown at 20:00. Since 2014, the show has had 20 celebrities competing for the title.

=Contestants=

The winners from each year are in bold texts.

==Series 1 (2006)==

==Series 2 (2007)==

==Series 3 (2008)==

==Series 4 (2009)==

==Series 5 (2010)==

==Series 6 (2011)==

Phil Vickery,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15416954 |title=Celebrity MasterChef dishes up 2011 winner |publisher=BBC |date=23 September 2011 |access-date=22 October 2011}} Kirsty Wark, Nick Pickard, Darren Campbell, Linda Lusardi, Michelle Mone, Ruth Goodman, Aggie MacKenzie, Ricky Groves, Margi Clarke, Colin McAllister, Justin Ryan, Shobu Kapoor, Sharon Maughan, Tim Lovejoy and Danny Goffey.{{cite web|url=http://www.plankpr.com/?p=1667 |title=Celebrity MasterChef – BBC One |publisher=Plank PR |access-date=22 October 2011}}

==Series 7 (2012)==

Emma Kennedy,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19681550|title=Celebrity MasterChef names winner|publisher=BBC|date=21 September 2012|access-date=2012-09-25}} Danny Mills, Michael Underwood, Zoe Salmon, Gareth Gates, Cheryl Baker, Laila Rouass, George Layton, Diarmuid Gavin, Richard McCourt, Rebecca Romero, Jamie Theakston, Jenny Eclair, Javine Hylton, Steve Parry and Anne Charleston.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/celebrity-masterchef-switch-show-set-1145254 |title=Celebrity Masterchef switch: Show set to move back to evening slot on BBC2 |work=Mirror|access-date=17 July 2012|date=16 July 2012 }}

==Series 8 (2013)==

Ade Edmondson, John Thomson, Heidi Range, Shane Lynch, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Denise Black, Phillips Idowu, Speech Debelle, Brian Capron, Les Dennis, Matthew Hoggard, Katy Brand, Shappi Khorsandi, Joe Calzaghe, Jo Wood and Janet Street-Porter.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/celebrity-masterchef.html |title=Celebrity MasterChef returns to prime time BBC One with all-star line-up |publisher=BBC Media Centre |date=24 June 2013}}

==Series 9 (2014)==

Sophie Thompson, Christopher Biggins, Todd Carty, Tina Hobley, Kiki Dee, JB Gill, Wayne Sleep, Alison Hammond, Tania Bryer, Amanda Burton, Jason Connery, Ken Morley, Millie Mackintosh, Emma Barton, Russell Grant, Alex Ferns, Leslie Ash, Jodie Kidd, Charley Boorman and Susannah Constantine.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s127/masterchef/news/a573175/christopher-biggins-jls-jb-jodie-kidd-in-celebrity-masterchef-lineup.html#~oF8yFMjR0DtEcZ|title=Celebrity MasterChef lineup revealed|website=Digital Spy|date=23 May 2014}}

==Series 10 (2015)==

Kimberly Wyatt, Keith Chegwin, Sarah Harding, Yvette Fielding, Arlene Phillips, Samira Ahmed, Andy Akinwolere, Syd Little, Amanda Donohoe, Craig Gazey, Tom Parker, Patricia Potter, Chesney Hawkes, Danny Crates, Mica Paris, Sheree Murphy, Natalie Lowe, Scott Maslen, Rylan Clark and Sam Nixon.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a647239/rylan-clark-sarah-harding-and-chesney-hawkes-join-celebrity-masterchef.html|title=Celeb MasterChef has an amazing lineup|website=Digital Spy|date=13 May 2015}}

==Series 11 (2016)==

Alexis Conran, Donna Air, Neil Back, Amelle Berrabah, Marcus Butler, Tommy Cannon, Amy Childs, Richard Coles, David Harper, Audley Harrison, Cherry Healey, Liz Johnson, Tina Malone, Louise Minchin, Laila Morse, Jimmy Osmond, Sid Owen, Gleb Savchenko, Sinitta and Simon Webbe.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/masterchef/news/a794256/strictly-come-dancing-gleb-savchenkoB|title=Celebrity MasterChef is back TONIGHT: Meet the stars|website=Digital Spy|date=22 June 2016}}

==Series 12 (2017)==

Angellica Bell, Rebecca Adlington, Abdullah Afzal, Kate Bottley, Patti Boulaye, Brian Bovell, Tyger Drew-Honey, Lesley Garrett, Dev Griffin, Barney Harwood, Stephen Teddy, Jaymi Hensley, Ulrika Jonsson, Henri Leconte, Debbie McGee, Aasmah Mir, Jim Moir, Nick Moran, Julia Somerville and Rachel Stevens.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/celebrity-masterchef|title=BBC - BBC One's Celebrity Masterchef serves up series 12 |publisher=BBC}}

==Series 13 (2018)==

John Partridge, Michelle Ackerley, Chizzy Akudolu, Keith Allen, Clara Amfo, Martin Bayfield, Jay Blades, Frankie Bridge, Gemma Collins, Josh Cuthbert, Carol Decker, Anita Harris, Jean Johansson, Zoe Lyons, Spencer Matthews, Lisa Maxwell, Monty Panesar, Stella Parton, AJ Pritchard and Stef Reid.{{Cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/celebrity-masterchef | title=BBC - Celebrity MasterChef fires up the ovens for another hot summer }}

==Series 14 (2019)==

Greg Rutherford, Élizabeth Bourgine, Joey Essex, Alex George, Andy Grant, Rickie Haywood-Williams, Judge Jules, Josie Long, Oti Mabuse, Kellie Maloney, Dominic Parker, Vicky Pattison, Martha Reeves, Zandra Rhodes, Neil Ruddock, Jenny Ryan, Tomasz Schafernaker, Mim Shaikh, Dillian Whyte and Adam Woodyatt.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/celebrity-masterchef|title=BBC - Celebrity MasterChef spices up the kitchen for its 14th series|publisher=BBC}}

==Series 15 (2020)==

Riyadh Khalaf, Shyko Amos, John Barnes, Jeff Brazier, Baga Chipz, Phil Daniels, Karen Gibson, Gethin Jones (withdrew due to illness),{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a33473088/celebrity-masterchef-gethin-jones-illness-exit-competition/|title=Celebrity MasterChef's Gethin Jones explains why he had to leave the competition early|first=Megan|last=Davies|date=30 July 2020|website=Digital Spy}} Amar Latif, Lady Leshurr, Dominic Littlewood, Judi Love, Felicity Montagu, Judy Murray, Matthew Pinsent, Sam Quek, Crissy Rock, Thomas Skinner, Myles Stephenson and Pete Wicks.{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-07-16/celebrity-masterchef-2020-full-line-up/|title=Meet the contestants on Celebrity MasterChef 2020|website=Radio Times}}

==Series 16 (2021)==

Kadeena Cox, Nabil Abdulrashid, Bez, Kem Cetinay, Munya Chawawa, Michelle Collins, Dion Dublin, Gavin Esler, Patrick Grant, Duncan James, Melissa Johns, Will Kirk, Penny Lancaster, Megan McKenna, Su Pollard, Katie Price, Johannes Radebe, Rita Simons, Joe Swash and Melanie Sykes.{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/celebrity-masterchef-2021-line-up/|title=Meet the contestants on Celebrity MasterChef 2021|website=Radio Times}}

==Series 17 (2022)==

Lisa Snowdon, Richard Blackwood, Melanie Blatt, Jimmy Bullard, Paul Chuckle, Nancy Dell'Olio, Chris Eubank, Kirsty Gallacher, Danny Jones, Katya Jones, Lesley Joseph, Kae Kurd, Gareth Malone, Queen MoJo, Cliff Parisi, Adam Pearson, Clarke Peters, Kitty Scott-Claus, Ryan Thomas and Faye Winter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/celebrity-masterchef-lineup|title=BBC - BBC One's Celebrity MasterChef serves up star-studded line-up of contestants|publisher=BBC}}

==Series 18 (2023)==

Wynne Evans, Richie Anderson, apl.de.ap, Dave Benson Phillips, Luca Bish, Marcus Brigstocke, James Buckley, Remi Burgz, Dianne Buswell, Terry Christian, Dani Dyer, Sam Fox, Max George, Cheryl Hole, Jamelia, Leon "Locksmith" Rolle, Shazia Mirza, Michael Praed, Mica Ven and Amy Walsh.{{Cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2023/celebrity-masterchef-line-up-summer |title=BBC One serves up sizzling new Celebrity MasterChef line-up for summer 2023 |publisher=BBC}}

==Series 19 (2024)==

Other versions and spin-offs

=''MasterChef: The Professionals''=

{{main|MasterChef: The Professionals}}

MasterChef: The Professionals, a version for professional chefs, was introduced in 2008.

=''Junior MasterChef''=

{{main|Junior MasterChef}}

Junior MasterChef originally ran from 1994 to 1999 for contestants under 16 years old. It was revived in 2010 with contestants between nine and twelve years old. A second series of the revived format ran in 2012 and a third series followed in 2014.

=''Young MasterChef''=

In February 2022, BBC Three commissioned Young MasterChef, which premiered its first series in 2023.{{cite press release|date=2022-02-11|title=Shine TV's MasterChef launches BBC Three series|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/young-masterchef-bbc-three|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=2022-02-18}} The judges for the first series were Poppy O'Toole and Kerth Gumbs. While O'Toole continued as a judge for the second season, Kerth Gumbs was replaced by Big Has. The second series aired in 2024.

Controversy

During the 13th episode of its 14th series when Wallace and Torode criticised a rendang dish made by the Malaysian-born contestant Zaleha Kadir Olpin for its poor quality. Zaleha had been given a task to make a chicken dish in thirty minutes and chose to attempt rendang, which takes several hours to prepare. The judges deemed the dish inedible because the chicken skin was rubbery and undercooked and advised her that with a thirty-minute task she should have made a crispy fried chicken with a sauce. Malaysian and Indonesian commentators pointed out that rendang is usually cooked as a stew and is not intended to be crispy.,{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|title='I would rendang his head': UK MasterChef judges stir up a storm|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/apr/03/i-would-rendang-his-head-uk-masterchef-judges-stir-up-a-storm|access-date=3 April 2018|work=The Guardian|date=3 April 2018}} and that both judges had failed to differentiate between "crispy" and "under-cooked".

Najib Razak, the Malaysian Prime Minister at the time, joined the conversation with a subtle tweet denouncing the judges' opinion.{{cite news|last1=Horton|first1=Helena|title=Malaysian Prime Minister criticises MasterChef judges in rendang row over 'iconic national dish'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/03/ukmasterchef-judges-spark-rendang-row-malaysia-suggesting-dish/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/03/ukmasterchef-judges-spark-rendang-row-malaysia-suggesting-dish/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=3 April 2018|work=The Telegraph|date=3 April 2018}}{{cbignore}} The former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad also joined in, suggesting that the judges were confusing rendang with KFC.{{cite web|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/maybe-youre-confusing-rendang-with-kfc-dr-m-tells-masterchef-uk-judge|title=Maybe you're confusing rendang with KFC, Dr M tells 'MasterChef UK' judge|date=3 April 2018|website=The Malay Mail|access-date=5 April 2018}}

In December 2024, following allegations against Gregg Wallace, the BBC announced that they had pulled two Christmas specials that were due to air.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqlnez0ylqo#:~:text=Last%20week%20Banijay%20UK%2C%20the,to%20historical%20allegations%20of%20misconduct.|title=Wallace allegations 'truly upsetting' - John Torode|website=bbc.co.uk/news|date=20 December 2024|accessdate=20 December 2024}}

Winners

=''MasterChef'' (original series)=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

! Winner

1990

| Joan Bunting

1991

| Sue Lawrence

1992

| Vanessa Binns

1993

| Derek Johns

1994

| Gerry Goldwyre

1995

| Marion Macfarlane

1996

| Neil Haidar

1997

| Julie Friend

1999

| Lloyd Burgess

2000

| Marjorie Lang

2001

| Rosa Baden-Powell

Note: The original MasterChef series did not appear in 1998.

=''MasterChef Goes Large'' and ''MasterChef'' (revived series)=

==''MasterChef Goes Large''==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

! Winner

2005

| Thomasina Miers

2006

| Peter Bayless

2007

| Steven Wallis

==''MasterChef''==

The show's original name returned in series 4 in 2008.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

! Winner

2008

| James Nathan

2009

| Mat Follas

2010

| Dhruv Baker

2011

| Tim Anderson

2012

| Shelina Permalloo

2013

| Natalie Coleman

2014

| Ping Coombes

2015

| Simon Wood

2016

| Jane Devonshire

2017

| Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed

2018

| Kenny Tutt

2019

| Irini Tzortzoglou

2020

| Thomas Frake

2021

| Tom Rhodes

2022

| Eddie Scott

2023

| Chariya Khattiyot

2024

| Brin Pirathapan

=''Celebrity MasterChef''=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

! Winner

2006

| Matt Dawson

2007

| Nadia Sawalha

2008

| Liz McClarnon

2009

| Jayne Middlemiss

2010

| Lisa Faulkner

2011

| Phil Vickery

2012

| Emma Kennedy

2013

| Ade Edmondson

2014

| Sophie Thompson

2015

| Kimberly Wyatt

2016

| Alexis Conran

2017

| Angellica Bell

2018

| John Partridge

2019

| Greg Rutherford

2020

| Riyadh Khalaf

2021

| Kadeena Cox

2022

| Lisa Snowdon

2023

| Wynne Evans

2024

|Vito Coppola

=''Young MasterChef''=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! Year

! Winner

2023

|Keziah Whittaker{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/2cf3e6bd-233c-4b8d-888d-c50770ad1b13 | title=Young MasterChef winner: 'My mum screamed when I won' | date=23 January 2023 }}

2024

|Famara Kurang{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Ruchira |date=2024-02-05 |title=Young MasterChef winner: 'It was a very emotional moment' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/9e7af0ad-2ba8-4de3-a9d8-71e6c11268ac |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=BBC Three |language=en-GB}}

=Charity specials=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

! Show

! Winner

2008

| Children in Need Junior MasterChef

| Alexander (Billy) Wyatt

2010

| Sport Relief does MasterChef

| Alan Hansen

2011

| Comic Relief does MasterChef

| Miranda Hart

2013

| Comic Relief does MasterChef

| Jack Whitehall

=Other notable contestants=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

! Contestant

1993

| Ross Burden

2008

| Emily Ludolf

2011

| Elizabeth Haigh

2017

|Solomon Taiwo

2018

| Ashley Grote

2019

| Jilly McCord

rowspan="2" | 2020

| Bruce Tasker

Christian Day

Transmission guide

=Original series=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Series

! Start date

! End date

! Episodes

! Hosts

1

| 2 July 1990

| 24 September 1990

| rowspan="11"| 13

| rowspan="10"| Loyd Grossman

2

| 21 April 1991

| 14 July 1991

3

| 26 April 1992

| 19 July 1992

4

| 11 April 1993

| 4 July 1993

5

| 10 April 1994

| 3 July 1994

6

| 16 April 1995

| 9 July 1995

7

| 7 April 1996

| 30 June 1996

8

| 27 April 1997

| 3 August 1997

9

| 3 January 1999

| 28 March 1999

10

| 12 March 2000

| 4 June 2000

11

| 3 April 2001

| 3 July 2001

| Gary Rhodes

==Specials==

  • Happy 10th Birthday MasterChef: TX 18 June 2000
  • Tales from the MasterChef Kitchen: Series 1, 10 editions from 2 July 2000 – 3 September 2000
  • Celebrity Special: TX 27 August 2000

=Revived series=

==''MasterChef Goes Large''==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Series

! Start date

! End date

! Episodes

1

| 21 February 2005

| 1 April 2005

| 30

2

| 23 January 2006

| 17 March 2006

| rowspan="2"|40

3

| 22 January 2007

| 15 March 2007

==''MasterChef''==

The show's original name returned in series 4 in 2008.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Series

! Start date

! End date

! Episodes

4

| 7 January 2008

| 28 February 2008

| 30

5

| 5 January 2009

| 26 February 2009

| 32

6

| 18 February 2010

| 7 April 2010

| 29

7

| 16 February 2011

| 27 April 2011

| rowspan=2|15

8

| 17 January 2012

| 15 March 2012

9

| 12 March 2013

| 2 May 2013

| 23

10

| 26 March 2014

| 16 May 2014

| rowspan="2"|24

11

| 10 March 2015

| 24 April 2015

12

| 23 March 2016

| 6 May 2016

| rowspan="3"|25

13

| 29 March 2017

| 12 May 2017

14

| 26 February 2018

| 13 April 2018

15

| 11 February 2019

| 29 March 2019

| rowspan="2"|24

16

| 24 February 2020

| 17 April 2020

17

|1 March 2021

|14 April 2021{{ref label|id1|1|^}}

|18

18

|23 March 2022

|5 May 2022

|21

19

|10 April 2023

|1 June 2023

| rowspan="2" |24

20

|1 April 2024{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MasterChefUK/status/1770495521846870238|title=x.com}}

|23 May 2024

21

|{{TBA}}

|{{TBA}}

|{{TBA}}

Specials

  • What The Winners Did Next – featured winners from series 1 and 2 of MasterChef Goes Large, broadcast on 22 January 2007

;Notes:

:1.{{note label|id1||^}} The final was postponed from its 9 April 2021 air date due to the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

==''Celebrity MasterChef''==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Series

! Start date

! End date

! Episodes

1

| 11 September 2006

| 29 September 2006

| rowspan= "2"|15

2

| 28 May 2007

| 15 June 2007

3

| 2 July 2008

| 25 July 2008

| 12

4

| 10 June 2009

| 10 July 2009

| rowspan="2"|15

5

| 21 July 2010

| 20 August 2010

6

| 12 September 2011

| 22 October 2011

| 30 (daily)
13 (highlights)

7

| 13 August 2012

| 21 September 2012

| 30

8

| 31 July 2013

| 6 September 2013

| rowspan="2"|18

9

| 10 June 2014

| 18 July 2014

10

| 18 June 2015

| 24 July 2015

| rowspan="4"|12

11

| 22 June 2016

| 29 July 2016

12

| 16 August 2017

| 22 September 2017

13

| 23 August 2018

| 28 September 2018

14

| 2 September 2019

| 11 October 2019

| 18

15

|1 July 2020

|30 July 2020

|15

16

|9 August 2021

|17 September 2021

| rowspan="4" |18

17

|10 August 2022

|22 September 2022

18

|2 August 2023

|8 September 2023

19

|13 August 2024

|20 September 2024

===Specials===

====''A Recipe for Success''====

A six-part series looking back over 15 years of Celebrity MasterChef, first episode broadcast on 6 August 2020.

====''Christmas Cook-Off''====

Christmas special episodes, where past contestants competed to hold the title of Christmas champion; first episode broadcast on 21 December 2020, second episode broadcast on 23 December 2020.

The winner from each episode is in bold text.

Books

{{Incomplete list|date=October 2017}}

  • {{cite book |author= |title=Masterchef: 1990 |location=London |publisher=Ebury Press |date=13 December 1990 |isbn=978-0563361077}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Masterchef: 1991 |location=London |publisher=Ebury Press |date=15 July 1991 |isbn=978-0091752156}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Masterchef: 1992 |location=London |publisher=Vermilion |date=20 July 1992 |isbn=978-0091773762}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Masterchef: 1993 |location=London |publisher=Vermilion |date=12 July 1993 |isbn=978-0091777654}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=The Best of Masterchef Since 1990 |location=London |publisher=Ebury Press |date=21 October 1993 |isbn=978-0091777838}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Masterchef: 1994 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780091786861 |location=London |publisher=Vermilion |date=4 July 1994 |isbn=978-0091786861 |url-access=registration }}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Junior Masterchef 1994 |location=London |publisher=Vermilion |date=14 November 1994 |isbn=978-0091786915}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Masterchef: 1995 |location=London |publisher=Vermilion |date=10 July 1995 |isbn=978-0091806835}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Junior Masterchef 1995 |location=London |publisher=Vermilion |date=23 October 1995 |isbn=978-0091806682}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Masterchef: 1996 |location=London |publisher=Ebury Press |date=25 April 1996 |isbn=978-0091814625}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=The Best of Masterchef |location=London |publisher=Ebury Press |date=2 January 1997 |isbn=978-0091853068}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Masterchef: 1997 |location=London |publisher=Ebury Press |date=3 April 1997 |isbn=978-0091853051}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Junior Masterchef 1998 |location=London |publisher=Ebury Press |date=5 March 1998 |isbn=978-0091853228}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=Masterchef: Best of British Cooking |location=London |publisher=Ebury Press |date=7 January 1999 |isbn=978-0091868444}}
  • {{cite book |author= |title=MasterChef Kitchen Bible |location=London |publisher=DK |date=1 January 2011 |isbn= 978-1405373883}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}