MasterChef: The Professionals - Season 17

MasterChef: The Professionals returns to BBC One for the 17th series of the UK's most revered cooking competition. Thirty-two of the country's most ambitious chefs are invited to battle it out in the MasterChef kitchen, in a bid to become the 2024 champion.

Judging throughout the journey are culinary legend Marcus Wareing, renowned chef Monica Galetti and celebrated MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace, all hoping to unearth the next culinary superstar.

Over seven weeks, the 32 professional chefs will have their skills, creativity and culinary knowledge put to the test in a series of demanding challenges as the judges hunt out the most impressive talent in the industry. Only the strongest contenders will be in with a shot of winning the coveted MasterChef: The Professionals trophy.

Tonight, it's heat one, which will see the first four brave chefs enter the MasterChef kitchen. Their mission is to impress across two daunting tasks, in the hope of securing a place in this week's quarter-final.

First stop is the infamous skills test. The chefs have ingredients laid out for them, with just 20 minutes to show off their talents. Nobody will want to leave a bad first impression. The first two chefs take on the challenge set by Monica: to make a carrot schnitzel and serve it with a white bean hummus and Middle Eastern herb sauce, zhoug. This is plant-based cookery at its best, and will require the chefs' intuition and a little bit of flair.

It's a sweet dish for the two remaining chefs as they tackle a dessert brief given to them by Marcus. Their job is to a rustle up choux pastry beignets and serve them with lavender sugar and a whipped orange cream. Precise pastry work will be the order of the day as the chefs try to delight the judges with light, fluffy sugary clouds.

The heat will end with all four chefs cooking their own two-course signature menu. Can they pull off an exceptional main and dessert in just one hour and 30 minutes?

The best chefs on the day will head into the quarter-final as the race for the title of MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2024 gets off to a flying start.

It's heat two, and the second group of four chefs arrive to kick-start their MasterChef adventure. It will take every ounce of chef know-how to deliver across two tough challenges. Nerves will need to be checked at the door if they hope to impress.

Monica's skills test is first, and two chefs are asked to prepare popcorn clams, a mussel fritter, and a Bloody Mary mayonnaise. With two types of batter, deep-frying and pan-frying, the chefs will need a steady hand to nail this brief.

Marcus is up next, and the last two chefs are tasked with making a cheeseburger. Not to be fooled into thinking this is easy, the contestants are faced with a vast selection of ingredients, including a variety of meats and seasonings. They can be as creative as they like, as long as the result is a perfectly formed burger that sets the judges' taste buds alight.

If any fail to deliver, they still have a chance to redeem themselves with their signature menu: two sterling courses that demonstrate a copious amount of skill, matched with a great palate. The best on the day will earn a place in this week's quarter-final as the hunt for this year's MasterChef: The Professionals champion continues.

It's the first quarter-final of the series, which will see the week's best competitors don their chef whites to compete for a place in knockout week. Two challenges stand in their way.

First up, an invention test with a twist. The chefs will have to rustle up a dish using a mystery ingredient. In this round, it's stout. They will have a glorious selection of produce in the pantry, but the stout will need to shine. It's a delicate balance, as too much could kill the dish completely.

The pressure then ramps up with the infamous critics' challenge. Two courses in one hour and 15 minutes is daunting by any stretch, but taking their seat in the dining room are esteemed critics Jay Rayner, William Sitwell and Leyla Kazim. If there's a time to up the ante, it's now. Every element on the plates will be scrutinised, and no error will escape unnoticed.

With the critics' verdicts to hand, it's down to Marcus and Monica to decide which chefs have what it takes to cope with the pressure of knockout week, and continue in the battle to become this year's MasterChef: The Professionals champion.

The heats continue, with four more fearless chefs facing the pressure of the MasterChef kitchen. If they manage to impress the judges, they might just find themselves with a place in this week's quarter-final.

Technique will be needed in spades, as first up is the infamous skills test. The first two competitors will need to take on Monica's challenge – twenty minutes to rustle up a mushroom and ricotta ravioli with hazelnut cream and a wild garlic oil. Will the chefs manage to deliver perfectly formed parcels and a filling of exquisitely balanced flavour? The pressure is truly on.

The last two chefs face a skills test set by Marcus. Their job is to prepare a courgette flower stuffed with prawn mousse and served with a red pepper compote and prawn oil. This is another incredibly delicate task that requires precision cooking, with some classical techniques thrown in for good measure.

Those that don't meet expectations need not despair just yet, as they will have another chance to redeem themselves cooking their two-course signature menu – a main and a dessert that reflect their style and skill. It's their own food, so Gregg, Marcus and Monica will be hoping for perfectly executed dishes they can't help but polish off.

It's decision time for the judges who will decide which chefs have earned the right to a place in this week's quarter-final. Only the best can make the cut and still be in the running to become MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2024.

The second batch of this week's professionals are waiting in the wings, ready to prove themselves in the MasterChef kitchen. Two challenges await, so any jitters must be calmed, as they'll need every ounce of culinary skill to be on show.

First stop on their journey is the daunting skills test. Marcus will be asking two chefs to prepare an aubergine steak glazed with miso and soy, served with a peanut sauce. Balancing strong flavours is an art in itself, but the chefs will also need to watch their timings and ensure their aubergine cookery is up to scratch.

The next two chefs will need to be a dab hand at pastry work, as Monica is hankering for a lemon meringue tart with a zesty lemon garnish. They'll have the tart cases provided, but there are several other elements needed to make the perfect tart, including getting a lemon curd made, set and cooled before any assembling can take place. Plenty of technique, and some classic cookery, will no doubt keep the chefs busy.

Having dusted themselves off, the chefs will then get another chance to shine as they are given 90 minutes to deliver their signature menu – a main course and dessert that show the judges what makes them tick and proves them to be a real contender for the title.

Marcus, Monica, and Gregg will then assess how well the chefs have performed overall and present their verdict. Only the strongest on the night will move forward in the competition, with a place in this week's quarter-final.

It's quarter-final time, and the week's best chefs are back to fight it out for a place in knockout week. They will need to overcome two daunting tasks to get there, including feeding their toughest audience yet.

The first hurdle is an invention test with a difference. The chefs must create a dish that includes tonight's mystery ingredient – garlic. They'll have ten minutes to pick other elements that complement the garlic and just 70 minutes to cook the dish. As well as the more familiar bulbs of garlic, the chefs have a range of garlic to choose from, including tangy black garlic and delicate wild garlic. Whatever they pick, they will need to balance things out – the garlic must enhance the dish, not overpower it.

The quarter-final continues with a visit from the formidable critics. Grace Dent, Jimi Famurewa and William Sitwell are on hand to give their view on the chefs' creations as they each dish up two of their best plates of food. It will take something extraordinary to pique the interest of these discerning diners.

Once the critics depart, it will be left to the judges to pick the lucky chefs who will move forward into knockout week as the hunt for this year's champion continues.

It's the third heat week and time to give four more chefs the opportunity of a lifetime. Landing a place in this week's quarter-final is their aim, but getting there won't be easy.

The skills test is the first hurdle. Monica has a brilliant recipe up her sleeve and will be asking the first two chefs to prepare a five-spice duck breast, served with a duck heart skewer and an orange sauce. Speed will be of the essence, as they will have just 20 minutes to prove some top-notch butchery, along with a discerning palate.

Marcus sets the next skills test brief, which will see the last two competitors prepare Welsh cakes and serve them with poached plums, a plum syrup and cheese. They will have all the ingredients laid out for them, so even if they've never even heard of a Welsh cake, they should be able to work things out. It won't be easy, though, under the intense glare of the judges.

Next, it's the signature round, where the professionals are under the spotlight with their own food and are expected to seriously shine. Tasked with cooking two courses that sum them up as a chef, these hopefuls need to prove to the judges that they mean business.

The judges step up to select the best chefs destined for this week's quarter-final, leaving the others to find their MasterChef journey has come to an end.

Four more chefs are excited to start their MasterChef journey, which, in this episode, begins with two infamous challenges that will test their ability to cope with the pressure. Those that outshine their competitors will move forward into this week's quarter-final.

First up, Marcus will ask the first two to cook-up a skills test dish of Italian blue cheese gnudi dumplings and serve them with a broccoli soup. All the ingredients are laid out in front of them, but it's down to the chefs to work out the correct process. A vibrant green soup with firm dumplings that sing of blue cheese needs to bring a smile to the judges' faces.

It's then down to the last two chefs to show what they are made of, as Monica tasks them with making citrus-cured sea bass tacos, with a vegetable garnish and crispy fish skin. They will have to prep the fish and taco shells from scratch as well, meaning time is of the essence. The judges will be expecting moreish tacos that are easy to pick up and bursting with flavour.

The signature round is next and might give the chefs the chance to redeem themselves. They have 90 minutes to prepare a main course and a dessert that will be sure to linger in the judges' memory. With menus influenced from a real variety of food cultures, including Colombian, Brazilian and Japanese, there is potential for taste sensations for Gregg, Marcus and Monica.

After this, just one task remains – this time for the judges – to name this week's best chefs. They will forge their way into the quarter-final and be in with a shot at the MasterChef: The Professionals 2024 title.

It's quarter-final time, and that can only mean more pressure for this week's most talented professionals as they return to the kitchen ready to battle for a place in knockout week. Getting there will require oodles of creativity, as well as the perseverance to impress their toughest critics yet.

The invention test is their first stop. The chefs will need to create a standout dish featuring the key ingredient, offal, as the star of the show. The larder has been packed with goodies, including chicken livers, sweetbreads, chicken hearts, tripe and tongue, as well as a broad range of fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices. They will have just ten minutes to develop a dish that will tickle the judges' taste buds, and then 70 minutes to bring their creation to life.

The critics round is up next. Jimi Famurewa, Grace Dent and Tom Parker Bowles are back, hoping to sample some exquisite plates of food. Can the professionals reach their high standards, or will the occasion prove too overwhelming?

Marcus and Monica will consider the critics' reviews and reward the best chefs with a place in knockout week as the hunt for this year's champion continues.

It's the final week of the heats, and tonight four more chefs don their MasterChef whites to confront two demanding tasks. Those that hit the MasterChef standard might just find themselves in the last quarter-final.

Marcus gets things underway as he challenges the first two contenders in a tricky skills test. On order today is pan-fried plaice, a beurre blanc sauce and shoestring fries. The professionals have the ingredients to hand, but they will need know-how to succeed in this daunting challenge.

The next two chefs have 20 minutes to tackle Monica's test - perfectly cooked lamb neck, served with a pea and broad bean puree, a lamb sauce and charred leaks. A grasp on classic techniques will be needed in this task, which is sure to put them through their paces.

The four who survived the first challenge will come together for the signature round – two courses that knock the socks off the judges, and point to a chef with true potential. Anything less could mean it's game over.

Only the strongest chefs on the day can head into the quarter-final, where the pressure ramps up, and the race for the title well and truly begins!

The last four chefs taking part in this year's competition hit the stoves. Awaiting them are two challenges that would have any professional chef quivering in the wings. They will need to outperform their rivals if they want a coveted place in the quarter-final.

It's a nerve-wracking start as they each take on the skills test. Marcus asks the first two chefs to dish up a beef fillet, with mushrooms on toast and a red wine sauce. Cooking the meat is one thing, but packing flavour into a rich, deep, red wine sauce, in just 20 minutes, will truly test their professional prowess.

The next two contenders will be hoping their dessert skills are up to scratch, as they attempt Monica's recipe for a scrumptious tiramisu. To triumph in this task, the judges will be expecting just the right blend of coffee-soaked sponge, cream and sweet mascarpone – all layered to perfection.

The four will then get a chance to size up the competition as they deliver their signature menu. One main course and one dessert that fully showcase their talents. Taking a risk might just pay off for the professionals, or it could signal their downfall. There's only one way to find out.

It's then time for the verdict. Which chefs have shown themselves in the best light and are deserving of a place in the last quarter-final?

Tonight, it's the last quarter-final, and the week's best chefs return to do battle once more. They all want a place in knockout week, but to get there they'll have to impress the judges, as well as some special guest diners who might just know a thing or two about food.

It's the invention test first, and this time the judges would like a dish centered around beetroot. They can raid the larder for anything they like, as long as the beetroot is shown off in its best light. This is one vegetable that lends itself just as well to sweet dishes as it does to savoury ones, so creativity should be off the chart.

The infamous critics challenge comes next, which might have even the most seasoned chefs looking towards the exit. Hoping for some mind-blowing plates of food tonight are Leyla Kazim, Grace Dent and Jay Rayner. This is a real chance for the contenders to cement themselves in the minds of these influential diners.

Those that impress the most will nab one of the last few places in knockout week, and still be in with a shot at becoming MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2024.

It's knockout week, and the 12 best chefs from the heats are back to compete against each other for the first time. They will need to raise the bar, as the pressure is ramped up. This week is all about getting a place in the semi-finals, and these fearless competitors will need to outshine the competition to get there.

The terrifying invention test returns. Marcus, Monica and Gregg want each of the 12 to create a dish that sings on every front. Only stunning presentation matched with exceptional flavours will have the judges sit up and take notice. Standing out in this strong group of chefs won't be easy.

The judges will pick their favourites who then go straight through to the next round. Those that aren't quite up to scratch will go another round in the kitchen to earn the right to stay in the competition. If they cooked savoury last round, they will cook sweet - and vice versa. They will have whatever is left of the ingredients to play with, but they'll need to pull it out the bag to get through, as there will not be any third chances.

Two will be given their marching orders, and those who have impressed will step up to the next challenge, as the race for this year's title hots up like never before.

Knockout week continues and the ten remaining professionals are split into two groups. The contenders step out of the MasterChef kitchen for the very first time, cooking for their toughest crowd yet, and then return to compete for a place in the semi-finals.

In this edition, five chefs take over Market Halls in central London, which is the home of some of the country's most exciting and eclectic food pop-up stalls. The professionals take charge of the market and deliver their own tasty treats for 22 of the biggest movers and shakers in the pop-up scene. They have three hours to serve up one dish each for the diners, but the quality of the food leaving the kitchens will need to be world class. This is a chance to see how the chefs cope with working in cramped spaces and with unfamiliar equipment.

These diners know what it takes to succeed in this business, and their opinion on the culinary creations matters more than ever, as they will all vote on the dish that impressed them the most. The chef who cooks the winning plate of food will sail straight through to the semi-finals.

The verdict is delivered back at the MasterChef kitchen and the four who fail to come out on top will cook again. Their brief is a tall order: to prepare a dish that celebrates their favourite drink. Whether their inspiration is beer, fine wine or a cup of tea, the level of creativity will have to be through the roof, as the judges will be calling last orders for one unfortunate chef.

At the end, the best three will have cause to celebrate getting one step closer to becoming MasterChef: The Professionals Champion 2024.

It's the last of the knockouts and time for the MasterChef pop-up to open its doors once more for the second group of five chefs. It's their chance to show the who's who of the pop-up world that they mean business, as they serve up delicious dishes to those who know what it takes to succeed in the industry. The contestants will need to bring their A-game, as the dish voted the tastiest will land its creator an immediate place in the semi-finals.

The remaining four will need to fight it out for their places back in the MasterChef kitchen, as they are given just one hour and 40 minutes to deliver one dish inspired by their favourite drink. This is one of the most high-pressure cook-offs yet, so the judges are ready for a cocktail of emotions from their contestants.

Three more will move on to form part of the exclusive club, MasterChef: The Professionals semi-finalists.

It's the semi-finals. The past five weeks have seen the chefs whittled down to the best eight. Now, it's all about survival as they battle for a place in the last six.

Limiting food waste should be at the forefront of every chef's mind, so first up, the semi-finalists will be asked to create one dish which embraces either 'root-to-shoot' or 'nose-to-tail' eating. The professionals will choose one ingredient and serve it in as many innovative and exciting ways as they can, showing total respect for the produce selected.

The judges will then pick the contestants worthy of going straight through to the next round, leaving the others to face an invention test that will have them cooking for their MasterChef lives. Each professional will need to pick a box, under which lies a mystery seafood ingredient. Using the larder to complement it, they will need to create a dish that showcases and celebrates that ingredient.

The two who fail to hit the high notes will be sent home, leaving the rest with a one in six chance of becoming this year's champion.

The semi-finals are under way, and the six chefs left standing return for the chance to impress one of two rising culinary stars, before battling for a place in the final five.

First up is a visit from groundbreaking chef Victor Garvey, a native New Yorker who has set today's brief. Victor has worked to redefine modern American food from his Michelin-starred restaurant SoLa, in London. His dishes are inspired by his memories growing up, and the main aim is to create familiar, but surprising, plates of food. Today, it's down to the contestants to raid their memory banks and each deliver two bite-sized snacks that hit his standard. Not only that, their challenge will also be run as a restaurant service, with an hour to prep and cook, and 30 minutes to finesse and plate. This is no small feat.

The theme of special memories continues into the next task. All six will need to deliver a dish that brings back thoughts of a special occasion. Inspiration can come from anywhere - the perfect Christmas, a romantic first date, a birthday lunch – but all that emotion must be represented in the plate of food they serve the judges.

For one chef, the competition will be over, leaving just five still in with a shot at becoming MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2024.

The semi-finals come to an end, with a stunning task that will require the five remaining chefs to draw on every reserve they can muster, if they hope to make it to finals week.

The five professionals are heading to Surrey, home to RHS Garden Wisley, which houses the headquarters of the Royal Horticultural Society, celebrating its 200th anniversary that day.

In honour of this milestone, the five contestants will be asked to create a three-course menu, using produce from Wisley's World Food Garden, which spans 3700 square metres, and includes a stunning array of fruit, vegetables, herbs and edible plants from across the globe. Some proteins including rabbit and venison are also being provided, but everything on the plates must come together in perfect harmony.

Amongst those dining today are three-time Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner Charlotte Harris and award-winning designer of Wisley's World Food Garden Ann-Marie Powell. Hosting the celebrations is Helena Pettit, the RHS Director of Shows, Commercial and Innovation, so it's crucial the contestants deliver a meal to remember.

Next, it's back to the MasterChef kitchen where the competition ramps up. The brief is simple - one dish that is inspired by someone close to the contestants. They might choose a mentor, a loved one, or a family member, but the dish must have heart, and be the perfect illustration of that bond.

Then, it's time for one of the toughest eliminations of the series, as one chef misses out on finals week, and the successful four continue the adventure of a lifetime, which will see one of them crowned MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2024.

It's finals week on MasterChef: The Professionals, and just four outstanding chefs are in with a fighting chance at the title. They face the biggest moment of their careers, cooking for industry giants, before they square off for a place in the final three. The stakes don't get much higher than this.

A luxury five-star hotel in London is the setting for the first challenge, which will be sure to set the contestants' hearts racing. They are catering for the Chef's Table in the Michelin-starred Dining Room restaurant of The Goring Hotel, where 24 of the industry's most revered chefs have been invited to taste their food. This is an opportunity like no other, and a unique chance for these brave chefs to get noticed by their food heroes. Guests include Lisa Goodwin-Allen (Northcote 1*), Daniel Clifford (Midsummer House 2*), Jun Tanaka (The Ninth 1*) and Alex Dilling (Hotel Café Royal 2*).

The finalists have four hours to prepare one course each for this exclusive event. All the professionals will be hoping to deliver a dish to remember -one that hits the Michelin standard on every front. Exquisite presentation with flavours to match are the bare minimum this occasion demands. A plate that excels in terms of innovation and creativity is what's required to create a buzz in the dining room.

Next, the finalists return to the MasterChef kitchen to battle for a place in the final three in what is one of the most emotional stages of the competition. One plate of food is the ask, but it must be nothing short of perfection. All four have proven their capabilities so far, but will any of them break under this level of pressure?

Finally, the judges reveal which unfortunate finalist is saying goodbye, while the other three chefs press on in the race to become this year's champion.

Finals week continues on MasterChef: The Professionals, with just three of the country's most exciting chefs still in with a shot at the title. Their culinary minds will be blown as they cook for one of the world's most exciting talents in a remote setting that will take their breath away.

The contestants are whisked away to the town of Baltimore, in County Cork, Ireland, home to the two Michelin-starred Turkish restaurant, Dede. The restaurant is run by trailblazing chef Ahmet Dede, who delivers the finest Turkish and Irish seasonal produce on plates that celebrate both cultures. Many of the plates come from Ahmet's cherished memories growing up and are very close to his heart. Cuisine this unique will be a first for the final three, who will start their journey by catering a lunch for some specially invited guests. Before they can do this, the finalists need to understand Ahmet's ethos.

Chef Ahmet himself will cook a few of his favourite dishes in an outdoor kitchen. These include an extraordinary kebab dish and a recipe that combines the finest Irish beef with flavours from the Ottoman Empire. The level of detail here is off the scale, and the plates require a delicate touch like no other.

Armed with inspiration, the finalists will then travel to Inish Beg, a private island estate with over 97 acres of spectacular woodland and gardens. Outdoor kitchens have been set up in the stunning walled garden, from which the finalists will need to prepare lunch for Ahmet's family and friends. Their own lunch menu will include plates of food inspired by the earlier masterclass that are based on their passions and memories. A selection of the finest local ingredients is available, along with a larder packed with some of Ahmet's Turkish favourites. Cooking with live flames, at the mercy of the Irish weather, will no doubt add extra pressure to an already stressful situation.

The finalists will need to find their feet quickly, as they will be thrown in at the deep end, joining Ahmet's elite brigade of chefs for a lunchtime service. They will each be responsible for two dishes from Dede's tasting menu, which can sometimes take the most experienced chef months to master. This includes a dessert inspired by his daughter - so nobody will want to let him down.

Today's diners include Marcus, Monica and Gregg, who will expect their chosen finalists to deliver to the two Michelin standard. Every mouthful matters at this stage, as the hunt for this year's champion is almost at an end.

The last seven weeks have seen the three finalists invest every ounce of blood, sweat and tears into the competition. Everything they have worked towards reaches a crescendo as the judges decide who among them will become champion. It's the MasterChef: The Professionals grand final, and there's everything to play for.

The finalists have just three hours to deliver three of the best courses they have ever produced. They will need to create plates of food that show progress, passion and a flawless palate. All three have proven themselves skilful and driven with flair in their craft, so it will take something extraordinary to stand out from the pack. This is quite simply the biggest moment of their culinary careers. One wrong move, and the trophy might just slip through their fingers.

It's then judgement time, as Gregg, Marcus and Monica consider which chef has shone the brightest. One is about to go through a life-changing moment and be crowned MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2024.