MasterChef returns to screens for its 20th series – where new home chefs will take on the ‘most extraordinary tasks ever seen’.
Judges John Torode and Greg Wallace, who have been at the helm of the cooking show since its revival in 2005, will once again put a new crop of contestants to the test.
The news series, which premieres on the BBC on April 1, marks 20 years of celebrating and supporting the country’s burgeoning culinary talent.
Fifty-eight passionate and talented hopefuls from all walks of life, such as a farmer, archaeologist and musical director, will show what they can do.
Viewers can expect to see the contestants, from Dorset and Sunderland to the Scottish Borders and North Wales, dishing out their food and cultural heritage in the hope of making it to the final.
MasterChef returns to screens for its 20th series – where new home chefs will take on the ‘most extraordinary tasks ever seen’, it was revealed on Monday
Judges John Torode and Greg Wallace, who have helmed the cooking show since its revival in 2005, will once again put a new crop of contestants to the test
“I can hardly believe we are in the twentieth series of this incredibly brilliant show,” says Australian celebrity chef and judge John, 58.
“It’s such a point of pride and celebration. I believe that food brings people together and every year we are fortunate to be able to help incredibly talented, hardworking people realize their dream and indulge in the joy that is MasterChef.”
Urging people to sign up for the 21st series, John added: ‘This year is so exciting, with tough tests, incredible challenges and passionate chefs – as always. Twenty years later, MasterChef continues to show: if you have a dream, just go for it!
‘The competition is getting stronger and more exciting every year. Thanks for watching me and Mr. Wallace. I hope you enjoy watching this twentieth series as much as we enjoyed making it.’
Meanwhile, co-host Gregg, 59, said: ‘This is the moment when the wave of ambition hits the rock of reality for these amateur chefs – and we put them through the most extraordinary challenges we’ve ever seen. This show means business and we are so lucky to see the level of cooking getting higher and higher every year.
‘John and I are so happy to be part of an amazing MasterChef community and welcome every series of new aspiring chefs to show us what they can do. 2024 will be a celebration of the talent coming out of the nation’s home kitchens – this year and from our time on MasterChef until now – I can’t wait.”
First, the amateurs must earn the right to wear a MasterChef apron in two new challenges: Basic to Brilliant, where you take an everyday ingredient and turn it into something spectacular; and an Invention Test with a twist, where they are challenged to create a plate of food based on a fixed element such as gnocchi, trout, meringue or quail.
“I can hardly believe we are in the twentieth series of this incredibly brilliant show,” said Australian celebrity chef and judge John, 58
The news series, which premieres on the BBC on April 1, marks 20 years of celebrating and supporting the country’s growing culinary talent.
Fifty-eight passionate and talented hopefuls from all walks of life, such as a farmer, archaeologist and musical director, will show what they can do
First, the amateurs must earn the right to wear a MasterChef apron in two new challenges: Basic to Brilliant, where you take an everyday ingredient and turn it into something spectacular
The last four remaining players then showcase their own style in two courses, served to three familiar faces from the past of the MasterChef series. That quarter-final brief is then set by some of the country’s toughest critics and chefs.
The fifth week will be a celebration of MasterChef talent, before the sixth week sees the number of competitors for Knockout Week reduced to just 16.
Culinary tasks include a Market Invention Test in the MasterChef kitchen; the opportunity to step into a professional kitchen for the first time and provide a lunch service in two of London’s best restaurants: Nessa, led by Chef Tom Cenci, and Joia, led by Chef Jose Jara; and back in the MasterChef kitchen, the contestants will make nine identical portions of a canapé.
Later, the semi-finalists will be tasked with delivering an extraordinary event celebrating the legacy and emerging talent of MasterChef, as well as its wider influence on the UK culinary food scene; tackling an ingredient they didn’t enjoy as a child; creating a theatrical and surprising dish; impressive Swedish Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt; and finally, creating a plate of food inspired by a past participant.
The last four remaining players then showcase their own style in two courses, served to three familiar faces from the past of the MasterChef series
The fifth week will be a celebration of MasterChef talent, before the sixth week sees the number of contestants reduced to just 16 for Knockout Week
The four finalists travel to the culinary melting pot of Singapore, where they take on three exciting challenges at the Chong Pang Hawker Market, Pangium.
Back in London, the final four will cook at Chef’s Table at the globally respected Le Gavroche, providing one of the iconic restaurant’s last services before it closes its doors for the final time – all under the watchful eye of the world-famous chef chef and former MasterChef: The Professionals judge, Michel Roux Jr.
After one finalist is finally wrapped, he heads back to the studio where the Final Three must produce the three best dishes of their lives for John and Gregg – before one is crowned the twentieth winner.