Masterchef is back for series 18 on BBC One. The popular culinary programme is returning with a brand new batch of contestants and Gregg Wallace and John Torode at the helm.
Last year's season of Masterchef was won by Tom Rhodes after he beat Mike Tomkins and Alexina Anatole in the final. The 2022 series will see 45 new passionate and talented hopefuls take part in the cooking competition.
The 2022 contestants include an NHS Worker, Theatre Director, Beer Bike Tour Guide, Childcare Worker, Bank Manager and Retired Head Teacher. All of whom are hoping to cook their way to the pinnacle of the trophy.
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This year a major change will be made to the long-standing series with the introduction of a brand new Tasting Room. For the first time the judges won't witness the action in the MasterChef kitchen but will be served each dish as though they are diners in a restaurant. They will then judge each contestant’s food solely on the plate that is put in front of them.
But when does Masterchef start, how many episodes are there and which nights of the week does it air?
When is Masterchef 2022 on?
Masterchef returns on Wednesday, March 23 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. This week it will continue on Friday, March 25, with a 90-minute instalment, airing at both 8pm and 9pm.
However, next week is slightly different as it will air at the later time of 9pm on Tuesday, March 29 and 8pm on Wednesday, March 30. Fans of Masterchef will pleased to know the new series is on for seven weeks with a whopping 24 episodes in total.
For the first five weeks, nine home cooks will make their MasterChef debut in the new Audition Round and deliver their standout Signature Dish to John and Gregg.
When it comes to judging in the new Tasting Room, John and Gregg pick their three favourite dishes, giving those cooks a well-earned MasterChef apron and immunity from cooking in the next round.
The remaining six contestants will get another chance to impress the judges and win themselves that coveted apron, by cooking another of their Signature Dishes, a sweet dish if they delivered savoury in the first round and vice versa. This time, John and Gregg will be in the kitchen witnessing their every move. The pressure is set to intense and the stakes are high as for two cooks, their MasterChef dream is over.
Following five weeks of audition rounds, Masterchef will move to two-weeks of semi-finals before the Final Three will get the dream chance to take on Chef’s Table challenge. For more showbiz and television stories, get our newsletter here.
