MasterChef 2026: Contestants, Schedule, and Latest News

The BBC’s flagship culinary competition, MasterChef, has returned for its 22nd season with a significant shift in leadership and a fresh roster of amateur talent. The current series introduces a new judging duo, Grace Dent and Anna Haugh, who are overseeing 48 amateur cooks across a seven-week competition to determine the MasterChef Champion 2026.

The transition to the new presenting team follows the departure of long-time hosts John Torode and Gregg Wallace, who were removed from the series after 21 years. The change has been marked by public reflections on the professional relationships between the outgoing and incoming presenters.

Grace Dent and the Legacy of Previous Hosts

Grace Dent, a Cumbrian food critic and new host, has spoken about her relationship with former presenter John Torode. Despite the circumstances of the previous hosts’ departures, Dent has described Torode as kind, clever and noted that he has been incredibly supportive of her transition into the role.

Torode has similarly praised Dent, describing her support as unfailing in a message sent in early 2026. The dynamic between the new and old guard highlights a professional continuity despite the institutional changes at the BBC.

Contestant Progress and Heat Schedules

The competition is currently in the heat stages, where groups of amateur cooks compete for one of the coveted MasterChef aprons. In the second week of the competition, the show featured a series of heats, including Heat 3, where six contestants vied for a spot in the subsequent rounds.

The broadcast schedule for Series 22 continues through May 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. According to the BBC episode guide, Episode 8, featuring the second heat of a specific cycle, is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 21:00. This will be followed by Episode 9, the third quarter-final, on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 21:00.

The Professionals Parallel

Running alongside the amateur competition is MasterChef: The Professionals, now in its 18th series. This version of the show features 32 of the country’s most ambitious professional chefs competing to become the 19th Champion. Unlike the amateur series, the professional competition is judged by a panel that includes culinary legend Marcus Wareing, along with Matt and Monica.

The professional heats have also been progressing through the early months of 2026, with Heat 5 and Heat 6 featuring chefs such as Charlie, Tom, Ben, and Polly. These professional contestants face a more rigorous set of challenges, including the Skills Test and the Signature Dish, to secure a place in the Quarter Finals.

While the amateur series focuses on the journey of home cooks under the guidance of Dent and Haugh, the professional series maintains its reputation for high-pressure technical demands, pushing experienced chefs to their limits in the MasterChef kitchen.