MasterChef (British TV series) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids MasterChef
Genre	Reality show
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(s)	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(s)	Franc Roddam
Producer(s)	Karen Ross David Ambler
Production location(s)	Original The Maidstone Studios Revival City University's Bastwick Street Halls of Residence (2005–2011) Ram Brewery (2011–2014) 3 Mills Studios (2014–2023) Digbeth Loc Studios (2024—)
Running time	30–90 minutes
Production company(s)	Union Pictures(1990–2000) Union 175 (2001) Shine TV and Ziji Productions (2005–present)
Distributor	Endemol Shine UK Banijay Rights
Release
Original network	BBC One (1990–2000, 2009–present and Celebrity MasterChef 2006–2011, 2013–present) BBC Two (2001, 2005–2008 and Celebrity MasterChef 2012)
Picture format	576i (1990–1997) 576i widescreen (1999–2010) 1080i (2011 onwards)
Original release	Original series: 2 July 1990 (1990-07-02) – 3 July 2001 (2001-07-03) Revived series: 21 February 2005 (2005-02-21) – present
Chronology
Related shows	Junior MasterChef Celebrity MasterChef MasterChef: The Professionals

MasterChef is a super popular cooking competition TV show. It's shown in over 60 countries! In the UK, the BBC makes it. The show first aired from 1990 to 2001. Then, it came back in 2005 with a new name, MasterChef Goes Large. In 2008, it went back to being called MasterChef.

Today, there are four main versions of the show:

• The regular MasterChef series.
• Celebrity MasterChef, with famous people cooking.
• MasterChef: The Professionals, for expert chefs.
• Junior MasterChef, for young chefs aged nine to twelve.

The idea and style of MasterChef have been used to create many other cooking shows around the world.

Original MasterChef Series

In the first MasterChef series, everyday people who loved to cook competed. They wanted to win the title of Master Chef. The show had nine rounds, leading to three semi-finals and a big final.

In each round, three contestants had to make a fancy three-course meal. They had less than two hours to do it. Contestants could choose their own dishes. There was a limit on how much they could spend on ingredients. Basic ingredients and cooking tools were provided. Contestants could also bring up to five special ingredients or tools.

Loyd Grossman and the Judges

Loyd Grossman hosted the first version of MasterChef. Each week, a professional chef and a celebrity joined him as judges. They would talk about the meals, chat with the contestants, and then taste and judge the food. At first, the judges' talks happened off-camera. Later, parts of their discussions were shown after they tasted the food and before the winner was announced.

In 1998, Loyd Grossman took a break, and the show didn't air that year. He came back for the 1999 series but left for good in 2000.

Changes and Gary Rhodes

In 2001, MasterChef got a new look because fewer people were watching. It moved from Sunday afternoons on BBC One to Tuesday nights on BBC Two. The rules also changed. There was no longer a celebrity judge. Contestants had to cook two courses in 90 minutes. For the final, they had two and a half hours for three courses. Also, each contestant had to use the same main ingredient in every dish.

Loyd Grossman was not happy with these changes and left in October 2000. Chef Gary Rhodes took over as host. He had hosted MasterChef USA before. Gary Rhodes gave more direct advice to the contestants. People liked the show's more serious feel. This new style later inspired the MasterChef Goes Large show and other cooking competitions like Hell's Kitchen. However, the new version didn't bring back enough viewers, so the BBC stopped the show after one series.

Revived MasterChef Series

Old MasterChef logo

In 2005, the show was completely updated by producers Franc Roddam, John Silver, and Karen Ross. It was first called MasterChef Goes Large. In 2008, it went back to being called MasterChef. The new series is judged by John Torode and Gregg Wallace. India Fisher does the voice-over narration.

This new MasterChef became very popular. It was one of BBC Two's most successful evening shows. Because of this, the BBC announced in 2009 that it would move to the main channel, BBC One.

In 2022, the BBC and Shine TV agreed to keep the show going for another six years. Starting in 2024, the show's production will move from London to Birmingham.

How the Show Works

Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace at MasterChef Live, London, 2009

Each series runs for eight weeks, with episodes five nights a week. For the first six weeks, the first four episodes are "heats." The fifth episode is a "quarter-final." Six contestants start each heat, and the winner moves on to the quarter-finals. At the end of each week, the four quarter-finalists compete, and one person becomes a semi-finalist. After six weeks, the six semi-finalists compete in the final two weeks.

In 2010, the judges got more freedom. They could let more than one contestant move forward. Sometimes, they didn't let anyone move on! In Series 7, MasterChef even had auditions like The X Factor. Chefs cooked for the judges to earn a spot. Over 20,000 people tried out for that series!

Heat Challenges

The heats usually have three rounds:

• The Market Test: Contestants must create a dish using ingredients from the show's market. They have 15 minutes to pick ingredients and 1 hour and 10 minutes to cook. Three contestants are sent home after this.
• The Calling Card: Contestants invent a dish from scratch in 75 minutes. They can choose any ingredients they like.
• The Invention Test: Contestants get two mystery boxes, one with sweet items and one with savory items. They pick a box and must make a dish using its ingredients within 75 minutes.
• The Impression Test: Contestants cook a two-course meal in 75 minutes for past MasterChef winners and finalists. They serve the main course in one hour and dessert 15 minutes later. This challenge started in 2017.

Quarter-final Challenges

The quarter-final challenges have changed over time. Before 2010, there were three rounds:

• The Ingredients Test: Contestants had to identify different ingredients.
• The Passion Test: Contestants had one minute to explain their love for food to the judges.
• After one contestant was eliminated, the remaining three cooked a three-course meal in 1 hour and 20 minutes.

In 2010, the quarter-final had two rounds:

• The Choice Test: Contestants had 15 minutes to cook either a fish or meat recipe chosen by the judges. At least one person was eliminated.
• The remaining contestants cooked a two-course meal in one hour.

The current quarter-final has two rounds:

• The Palate Test: Judge John Torode cooks a dish. Contestants must taste it, guess the ingredients, and try to make the dish themselves.
• The Choice Test: Contestants have 80 minutes to create an amazing dish for the judges and a special food critic.

Comeback Week

The sixth week is called "Comeback Week." It brings back contestants from past series who didn't make it past the heats or quarter-finals. The challenges are different for this special week:

• The Skill Test: Contestants have 25 minutes to cook one of two pre-selected recipes. Some might be eliminated.
• The Palate Test: John Torode cooks a complex dish. Contestants taste it and try to name the ingredients. More contestants might be eliminated.
• The Pressure Test: Contestants work a lunch shift in a busy restaurant. A professional chef watches and comments on their cooking.
• The remaining contestants have one hour to cook a two-course meal. One person is chosen to move to the quarter-final.
• The comeback quarter-finalists then cook head-to-head in a bigger Invention Test, making one dish in an hour. One contestant moves to the semi-finals.

MasterChef Live Events

MasterChef Live is a special event that brings the TV show to life. It happens every November and lasts for three days. It's held at Olympia London and takes place at the same time as a wine show.

At MasterChef Live, you can see live cooking demonstrations from famous chefs. Former contestants and food critics are also there. There are even MasterChef-style cooking competitions you can watch!

Celebrity MasterChef

Celebrity MasterChef is a version of the show where famous people compete. It was first shown on BBC One from 2006 to 2011. Originally, 24 celebrities took part in each series. Three contestants were in each episode, doing the same challenges as MasterChef Goes Large.

In 2011, the show moved to a daily daytime slot. It had 30 episodes over six weeks, with 16 celebrities. In 2012, it moved to BBC Two because fewer people were watching. It went back to an evening slot. In 2013, it returned to BBC One during prime time. Since 2014, 20 celebrities compete for the title each year.

Celebrity Contestants and Winners

The winner from each year is in bold text.

Series 1 (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.

Series 2 (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.

Series 3 (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.

Series 4 (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.

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.

Series 5 (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.

Series 6 (2011)

Phil Vickery, 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.

Series 7 (2012)

Emma Kennedy, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Hendry, Jaymi Hensley, Ulrika Jonsson, Henri Leconte, Debbie McGee, Aasmah Mir, Jim Moir, Nick Moran, Julia Somerville and Rachel Stevens.

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.

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.

Series 15 (2020)

Riyadh Khalaf, Shyko Amos, John Barnes, Jeff Brazier, Baga Chipz, Phil Daniels, Karen Gibson, Gethin Jones (withdrew due to illness), 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.

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.

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.

Other MasterChef Shows

MasterChef: The Professionals

MasterChef: The Professionals is a version of the show made for professional chefs. It started in 2008.

Junior MasterChef

Junior MasterChef first aired from 1994 to 1999 for contestants under 16 years old. It came back in 2010 for children aged nine to twelve. New series of the revived format aired in 2012 and 2014.

Young MasterChef

In February 2022, BBC Three announced a new show called Young MasterChef. This series is planned to air in 2023.

MasterChef Winners

Original MasterChef Series Winners

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

Revived MasterChef Series Winners

MasterChef Goes Large Winners

MasterChef (since 2008) Winners

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

Celebrity MasterChef Winners

Charity Special Winners

Other Famous Contestants

Images for kids

• 

  The current MasterChef logo.

See also

In Spanish: MasterChef UK para niños