Episode 1

The show returns for its sixteenth series as 32 ambitious chefs from across the country battle to become the 2023 champion.

Presiding over the UK's most revered cooking competition are Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing, renowned chef Monica Galetti and celebrated MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace, all eager to discover a brand new culinary star.

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 best will be in with a chance of winning the coveted trophy.

In the opening heat, the fight for the title begins as the first four contenders step into the kitchen. To progress in the competition, they must impress in the infamous Skills Test before cooking their own food in the Signature Menu round.

The first two chefs face a Skills Test set by Monica, who gives them 20 minutes to prepare and cook a fillet of brill and serve it with a turnip garnish and a coconut sauce. Can the chefs keep their hands steady enough to fillet the fish perfectly and demonstrate enough cookery knowledge to show they have what it takes?

Marcus sets the Skills Test brief for the next two hopefuls - to poach and pan-fry a portion of guinea fowl, make a sherry hollandaise and serve it with a bitter salad. With only 20 minutes and the judges watching on, their butchery skills and culinary experience are scrutinised like never before.

Finally, all four chefs have one last opportunity to stand out when they cook their own two-course Signature Menu. In one hour and 30 minutes, it's a chance to show off their own style and flair with a main course and dessert fit for the judges.

Only the best chefs will go through to the quarter-final and move a step closer to being crowned MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2023.