MasterChef UK

Masterchef UK is one of the most popular cooking shows on television. In this article, we will tell you about its most famous participants, history, and other interesting facts. Over the years, the show has made many chefs famous, both finalists and winners.

Basic information about the show

Basic information about the show will give you an understanding of its format, how it originated and how it has changed over time.

History of the show

The English version of MasterChef originated in July 1990. The author and creator of the idea was Frank Roddam. Initially, the programme aired from 1990 to 2001 and had an original format. In 2005, the show was revived with a new concept.

It was called MasterChef Goes Large, but in 2008, the original name MasterChef was restored.

Since its inception, the programme has undergone numerous changes and adaptations, transforming from a local English project into a global phenomenon. The show has gone beyond the borders of England, being adapted in dozens of countries around the world.

Format

Each season is broadcast in the evenings, five days a week for two months. During the first month and a half, four episodes each week are qualifying rounds, and the fifth episode is the quarter-finals. Six contestants participate in each qualifying round, and the winner advances to the quarter-finals.

At the end of each week, the four quarter-finalists compete and a semi-finalist is selected. After six weeks, the six semi-finalists compete in a cooking competition over the last two weeks.

Since 2010, the judges have become more flexible in their actions and have been given the opportunity to select more than one contestant for the quarter-finals.

In the seventh season of ‘The Chef,’ the audition show took on a format similar to ‘The X Factor.’ Over 20,000 people sent in their applications, expressing their desire to participate in this season.

Masterchef Studio

Masterchef Studio is the filming location for the famous reality show, located in the Newham district of London, between Bromley-by-Bow and West Ham tube stations.

It was formerly a distillery and is now a film and television studio.

The studio has also been used as a filming location for shows such as Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live, Million Pound Drop Live, Stand Up To Cancer, and Bad Girls.

Masterchef professionals

A show featuring professional chefs. The best of the best compete in culinary mastery, sharing their talents with viewers.

Celebrity MasterChef

Celebrity MasterChef is a version of MasterChef featuring celebrities. The show aired on BBC One from 2006 to 2011.

In the original version, 24 celebrities took part in the programme, three in each episode, undergoing a full MasterChef Goes Large test. In 2011, the programme was moved to daytime and aired for a month and a half. A total of 30 episodes were produced, featuring 16 celebrities.

Winners of all seasons Celebrity MasterChef:

How do I apply for MasterChef?

You can apply for MasterChef on the official website. Fill out the form, indicate your cooking style and other aspects of your participation in the programme. Add a short video explaining why you want to participate.

Make sure your application meets a number of criteria. For example, age restrictions. Candidates must be of legal age and have no experience working as a professional chef. Employees of restaurants and other areas where cooking is a source of income are not eligible to apply.

After submitting their applications, candidates are invited to participate in an open competition, where they are required to personally prepare their signature dish. If physical participation is not possible, applications may be submitted via video recording from home.

It is recommended to submit your application in advance, as the selection process may take several months.

MasterChef judges

In 2008, the judges on MasterChef: The Professionals were Gregg Wallace and India Fisher, who returned to their roles as co-hosts and presenters.

Michel Roux Jr, a two-Michelin-starred chef, was on the judging panel, and since 2009 he has been assisted by assistant chef Monica Galletti.

The show's judging panel is as follows:

1. Gregg Wallace
2. John Torode
3. Grace Dent
4. Anna Haugh

Famous Masterchef contestants

Tom Rhodes (winner of the 2021 show) – became famous for his original dishes, such as watermelon gazpacho and custard tart.

Thomas Frake (2020 winner) specialised in classic British dishes such as monkfish scampi and braised beef cheeks.

Irini Tsortsoglu (2019 winner) is a chef from Greece who was part of the first all-female final alongside Gilly McCord and Delia Maria Asser.

Simon Wood (2015 winner) – after his success on the show, he was appointed executive chef at Oldham Athletic FC and Oldham Event Centre.

Ping Coombs (2014 winner) – gave cooking lessons on the streets, participated in food festivals, and collaborated with restaurants.

Natalie Coleman (2013 winner) – worked in renowned UK restaurants and published a cookbook.

Dhruv Baker (2010 winner) – born in Mexico and raised in India. After winning the show, he worked with Michel Roux Jr at Le Gavroche and De Librije in Holland.

The most interesting participants

Eddie Scott (2022) became famous for his ability to come up with original names for dishes. For example, ‘Tickling Tiramisu’ and ‘Laughing Lobster Linguine.’

Shelina Permalloo (2012) is a Masterchef contestant who spiced up her culinary journey with a dash of humour. Her signature dish is lobster with lemongrass and coconut curry. She prepared ‘Ticklish Tango with Tofu’ and ‘Funny Chicken Juggling.’

After Masterchef, she continued to demonstrate her culinary skills, gained national fame, and participated in Celebrity MasterChef 2023.

Winners of all seasons

MasterChef 2024

MasterChef 2024 was broadcast on BBC One. The project celebrated its 20th anniversary. John Thorod and Gregg Wallace hosted the 20th season. The challenges lasted for two months, and viewers eagerly followed the competition to see who would be crowned the winner.

Contestants

Fifty-seven chefs took part in the 20th season. One of them was veterinarian Brin Piratapan.

Final and winners

Brin Piratapan was crowned the winner of the 20th season of MasterChef 2024. He joined two dozen outstanding champions, including Thomasina Miers,

Peter Bayless, James Nathan, Mat Follas, Dhruv Baker, Tim Anderson, Shelina Permalloo, Saliha Mahmood Ahmed, Kenny Tutt, Irini Tzortzoglou, Thomas Frake, Tom Rhodes, Eddie Scott, and last year's champion, Chariya Khattiyot. In the final, Brin competed against Lyons Macleod and Chris Willoughby. In his speech, the winner said he was very happy and thanked his parents. He noted that he owed his success to his background.

One of the MasterChef judges, John Torode, said that Brin was an outstanding chef, amazingly talented, using combinations that seemed incompatible. He noted his creative approach.

Masterchef recipes

Famous contestants share their recipes with millions of cooking enthusiasts.

James Nathan, winner of the 2008 competition, suggests cooking venison saddle with lapsang souchong, root vegetables and smoked pancetta sauce.

Dhruv Baker, winner of the 2010 competition, shared his recipe for steamed lobster with young fennel and celery purée. The secret is to place the fish in the freezer for 2-3 hours before cooking, then add it to hot stock.

This recipe requires wine, fennel, black pepper, celery, cardamom, saffron, garlic and lemon.

This dish goes best with a fragrant white wine.

The signature recipe of Tim Anderson, winner of 2011, is sticky caramel pudding, crème brûlée, miso and walnut ice cream, and blackcurrant sauce. Those with a sweet tooth will not be able to resist this delicacy.

Recipes from professionals help ordinary people create real culinary masterpieces.

MasterChef Shop

The MasterChef show has its own shop. Here you can buy kitchen utensils and books on cooking. The following items are available:

• frying pans;
• chopping boards;
• textiles.

Kitchenware and recipes from MasterChef will be of interest to anyone who loves cooking.

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