Recipes are being perfected, palates are being cleansed and the ovens are being fired up because the time has come for MasterChef to make its welcome return for the 19th series.
With a new batch of culinary contestants and John Torode and Gregg Wallace at the helm, weekday evenings are about to get a whole lot tastier.
Airing on BBC One on Monday, April 10, the famous telly chefs and hosts will be gracing our screens as they kick off the series with the 'audition round', which will see hopeful chefs whipping up a particular dish in the hope of impressing them and moving forward in the programme to become MasterChef champion.
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The show, which sees 45 amateur chefs compete against each other over the course of several weeks to earn the title of MasterChef champion, will be airing three times a week - on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays - at 8pm on BBC One.
Last year, the victory went to marine pilot Eddie Scott, who blew the juges away with his menu of French and Indian inspired dishes - but who will wow them this year?
Here's everything we know so far...
When is MasterChef 2023?
Series 19 of MasterChef is kicking off on Easter Monday (April 10) on BBC One at 8pm-9pm. It will continue on Tuesday, April 11 at 9pm and again on Friday, April 14 at 8:30pm. This pattern will continue through the series.
Episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer once they have aired.
MasterChef will run for a total of 24 episodes with the series finale expecting to air at the start of June.
Who won MasterChef last year?
The champion of MasterChef 2022 was Eddie Scott, a 31-year-old former marine pilot from the Midlands, who was described by John Torode and Gregg Wallace as a "culinary powerhouse" and a "future great chef".
He served a combination of turbot topped with caviar, tempura oyster and Champagne beurre blanc; a Hyderabadi dum biriyani and his take on a St Emilion au chocolat. He described his cooking as partly inspired by his childhood, during which he holidayed in France as well as his Indian heritage.
Since winning the show, Eddie left his piloting career behind and went on to gain experience in one of Gordon Ramsay's kitchens for three months - after seeing out the finals of the show in the Hell's Kitchen chef's restaurant. At the time, he posted to Instagram: "I’ve never learnt so much; seeing and being part of the meticulous daily routine of perfection, an experience which I will never forget. The buzz, the amazing energy, the extreme pace - it’s been wonderful seeing the highest standards! I’m left with a completely different outlook on cooking, which I take with me going forward."
According to his Instagram, too, he is accepting private dining enquiries.
MasterChef judges
MasterChef wouldn't be what it is today without the two renowned culinary experts and telly chefs who have fronted the series for the past 19 years since 2005: John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
After the first few rounds, it's been reported that they pair will be joined throughout the series by renowned food critics such as Jay Rayner (who recently sung the praises of a certain Cardiff restaurant) and William Sitwell - who just last weekend raved about Asador 44.
What is the first MasterChef challenge?
The first hoop the contestants must jump through is that of the 'Family Favourites' round. In this heat, the first nine - of 45 - amateur chefs must recreate one a dish that they deem to be a family favourite. But their dish must have a new stance to show their potential and creativity as a chef.
The three best chefs will win a MasterChef apron and automatically go through to the next round. At this stage, the remaining six will be put through what is called the 'Invention Test', in which they must creation a unique and innovative dish in just 30 minutes and given only the instruction of savoury or sweet.
At this stage, the two weakest links will be sent home, meaning only seven will make it through to the next round.
MasterChef starts tonight on BBC One at 8pm.
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