MC England 2006

Chief.

MasterChef

Also known as MasterChef Goes Large (2005–2007)

Genre Cooking

Created by Franc Roddam

Presented by Loyd Grossman

Gary Rhodes

Judges Gregg Wallace

John Torode

Narrated by India Fisher

Country of origin United Kingdom

Original language English

No. of series MasterChef

11(original)

17 (revived)

Celebrity MasterChef
 16 (aired to date)

No. of episodes MasterChef

146 (original, inc. specials)

278 (revival, at the end of series 10)

Celebrity MasterChef

211 (end of series 10)

Production

Executive producer Franc Roddam

Producers Karen Ross

David Ambler

Production Original

locations The Maidstone Studios

Revival

City University's Bastwick Street Halls of

Residence(2005–2011)[1][2]

Ram Brewery (2011–2014)[3]

3 Mills Studios (2014–2023)[4]

Digbeth Loc Studios (2024—)[5]

Running time 30–90 minutes

Production Union Pictures[6](1990–2000)

companies Union 175 (2001)

Shine TV and Ziji Productions (2005–

present)

Distributor Endemol Shine UK[7]

Banijay Rights[8]

Release
 Original network BBC One (1990–2000, 2009–present

and Celebrity MasterChef 2006–2011,

2013–present)

BBC Two (2001, 2005–2008

and Celebrity MasterChef2012)

Picture format 576i (1990–1997)

576i (1999–2010)

1080i (2011 onwards)

Original release Original series:

2 July 1990 – 3 July 2001

Revived series:

21 February 2005 – present

Chronology

 Junior MasterChef
Related shows
 Celebrity MasterChef

 MasterChef: The Professionals

External links

Website

Production website

MasterChef is a competitive cooking show produced by Endemol Shine UK and Banijayand

broadcast in 60 countries around the world. In the UK, it is produced by the BBC. 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. [9] The format and style of the show have
been reproduced around the world in various international versions.

Contents

 1Original series
o 1.1Grossman's departure and 2001 revamp
  2Revived series
o 2.1Format
 2.1.1Heats
 2.1.2Quarter-finals
 2.1.3Comeback Week
 3MasterChef Live
 4Other versions and spin-offs
o 4.1Celebrity MasterChef
 4.1.1Contestants
o 4.2MasterChef: The Professionals
o 4.3Junior MasterChef
o 4.4Young MasterChef
 5Controversy
 6Winners
o 6.1MasterChef (original series)
o 6.2MasterChef Goes Large and MasterChef (revived series)
 6.2.1MasterChef Goes Large
 6.2.2MasterChef
o 6.3Celebrity MasterChef
o 6.4Charity specials
o 6.5Other notable contestants
 7Transmission guide
o 7.1Original series
 7.1.1Specials
o 7.2Revived series
 7.2.1MasterChef Goes Large
 7.2.2MasterChef
 7.2.3Celebrity MasterChef
 7.2.3.1Specials
 7.2.3.1.1A Recipe for Success
 7.2.3.1.2Christmas Cook-Off
 8Books
 9See also
 10References
 11External links

Original series[edit]
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] He returned to present the 1999 series but left the show in 2000.
Grossman's departure and 2001 revamp[edit]
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. [10]
In October 2000, Grossman left in anger over the proposed changes and was replaced by
chef Gary Rhodes, who had previously presented MasterChef USA.[11] 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.[12]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[edit]

Old logo
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.[13] The
new series is 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.[14]
In February 2022, the BBC and Shine TV announced that they have agreed a multi-series
six-year deal for the programme, and from 2024 the production base would move from
London to Birmingham.[15]
Format[edit]
Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace at MasterChef Live, London, 2009
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.[16]
Heats[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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.

Other versions and spin-offs[edit]

Celebrity MasterChef[edit]
"Celebrity MasterChef" redirects here. For the Romanian series, see Celebrity MasterChef
(Romanian 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.[17]
In 2011, the programme was moved to a daily daytime slot with 30 episodes screened over
six weeks and with only 16 celebrities.[18]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[edit]
The winner from each year is in bold text.

 2006: Matt Dawson, Arabella Weir, Charlie Dimmock, David Grant, Fred

MacAulay, Graeme Le Saux, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Helen Lederer, Ian
McCaskill, Jilly Goolden, Kristian Digby, Lady Isabella Hervey, Linda
Barker, Marie Helvin, Paul Young, Richard Arnold, Roger Black, Rowland
Rivron, Sarah Cawood, Sheila Ferguson, Simon Grant, Sue Perkins, Tony
Hadley and Toyah Willcox.[citation needed]
 2007: Nadia Sawalha, Midge Ure, Craig Revel Horwood, Jeremy
Edwards, Chris Bisson, Martin Hancock, Sunetra Sarker, Gemma
Atkinson, Sherrie Hewson, Pauline Quirke, Rani Price, Chris Hollins, Matthew
Wright, Angela Rippon, Sue Cook, Lorne Spicer, Emma Forbes, Jeff
Green, Darren Bennett, Sally Gunnell, Mark Foster, Matt James, Robbie
Earle and Phil Tufnell.[citation needed]
 2008: Liz McClarnon, Linda Robson, Louis Emerick, Debra
Stephenson, Christopher Parker, Joe McGann, Steven Pinder, Mark
Moraghan, Vicki Michelle, Sean Wilson, Clare Grogan, Hywel Simons, DJ
Spoony, Claire Richards, Denise Lewis, Noel Whelan, Andi Peters, Andrew
Castle, Michael Buerk, Kaye Adams, Julia Bradbury, Josie D'Arby and Ninia
Benjamin.[citation needed]
 2009: Jayne Middlemiss, Colin Murray, Wendi Peters, Simon Shepherd, Janet
Ellis, Deena Payne, Iwan Thomas, Rav Wilding, Pete Waterman, Stephen K.
Amos, Gemma Bissix, Shirley Robertson, Ian Bleasdale, Paul Martin, Tracy-Ann
Oberman, Brian Moore, Saira Khan, Rosie Boycott, Michael Obiora, Joel
Ross, Shobna Gulati, Dennis Taylor, Siân Lloyd, Jan Leeming and Joe Swift.[citation
needed]
There was also a week of Comeback contestants featuring Joe McGann, Marie
Helvin, Linda Barker, Claire Richards, Rowland Rivron, Ninia Benjamin, Steven
Pinder, Wendi Peters, Helen Lederer, Tony Hadley, Martin Hancock and Jeff Green.
[citation needed]

 2010: Lisa Faulkner, Neil Stuke, Richard Farleigh, Nihal Arthanayake, Alex

Fletcher, Tessa Sanderson, Jenny Powell, Colin Jackson, Tricia
Penrose, Martin Roberts, Christine Hamilton, Chris Walker, Dick
Strawbridge, Danielle Lloyd, Marcus Patric, Dean Macey, Mark
Chapman, Jennie Bond, Mark Little and Kym Mazelle.[citation needed]
 2011: Phil Vickery,[19] 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.[20]
 2012: Emma Kennedy,[21] Danny Mills, Michael Underwood, Zöe
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.[22]
 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.[23]
 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.[24]
 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.[25]
 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.[26]
 2017: Angellica Bell, Rebecca Adlington, Abdullah Afzal, Kate Bottley, Patti
Boulaye, Brian Bovell, Tyger Drew-Honey, Lesley Garrett, Dev
Griffin, Barney Harwood, Stephen Hendry, Jaymi Hensley, Ulrika
Jonsson, Henri Leconte, Debbie McGee, Aasmah Mir, Jim Moir, Nick
Moran, Julia Somerville and Rachel Stevens.[27]
 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.[28]
  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.[29]
 2020: Riyadh Khalaf, Shyko Amos, John Barnes, Jeff Brazier, Baga
Chipz, Phil Daniels, Karen Gibson, Gethin Jones (withdrew due to illness),
[30]
 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.[31]
 2021: Kadeena Cox, Nabil Abdul Rashid, 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.[32]
MasterChef: The Professionals[edit]
Main article: MasterChef: The Professionals
MasterChef: The Professionals, a version for professional chefs, was introduced in
2008.
Junior MasterChef[edit]
Main article: 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[edit]
In February 2022, BBC Three has commissioned Young MasterChef.[33]

Controversy[edit]
MasterChef was involved in a controversy during the 13th episode of its 14th series
when Wallace and Torode criticised a rendangdish 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 normally 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. Many commentators, particularly
from Malaysia and Indonesia, pointed out that rendang is usually cooked as a stew and
is not intended to be crispy,[34] 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.[35]The former Malaysian prime
minister Mahathir Mohamed also joined in, suggesting that the judges were
confusing rendang with KFC.[36]