MasterChef: The Professionals

As the hospitality industry faces another year of unprecedented challenges, MasterChef: The Professionals showcases the range of culinary talent across the next generation of chefs in the UK. Renowned chefs Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti preside over the UK's premier cooking competition alongside judge Gregg Wallace.

In tonight's first heat, the first four professional chefs arrive to make their mark in the MasterChef kitchen and to stake their claim to the coveted trophy. With their reputations on the line, their knowledge and experience are tested as they face the infamous Skills Test. Marcus challenges two chefs to prepare the British classic bangers and mash, served with a beer and onion gravy, in just 20 minutes. This seemingly simple dish has the potential to trip up the chefs, as small details are key to its success. The other two chefs take on Monica's test, monkfish with a pea and bacon ragout. This dish is all about timing and holding your nerve under pressure.

Heat one continues as the four contenders return to the kitchen for their second challenge, with another chance to stand out and rectify any mistakes made in the Skills Test. Each chef has one hour and 30 minutes to cook two standout Signature Dishes – a main and a dessert that demonstrate creative flair and individual cooking style. They are all keen to cement their place within the competition, but the judges will decide which two will be sent home and who will make it through to this week's quarter-final.

In tonight's second heat, four more professional chefs from around the country attempt to make their mark in the MasterChef kitchen and stake their claim to the coveted title. With their reputations on the line, they face two tense challenges, after which two will progress to this week's quarter-final and two will be sent home.

First they face the infamous Skills Test. Two of them take on Marcus's challenge to prepare pan-fried scallops, cauliflower velouté, croutons and a curry butter. The others face Monica's dessert challenge, a chocolate crème pâtissière-filled swiss roll served with a raspberry sauce. Each has just 20 minutes to get all the details right.

Then the chefs get the chance to showcase their individual cooking style as they prepare two standout Signature Dishes – one main and one dessert. This is a chance for the chefs to make up for any mistakes made in the Skills Test and to show the judges what they are made of. Only the two best chefs will retain their places in the competition.

This year's first quarter-final sees the strongest four chefs from the first two heats return to face two more demanding challenges.

The first is an Invention Test, where the chefs must create an outstanding dish using preserved and tinned food. They have ten minutes to select their ingredients before designing and executing a dish in just one hour. Are these professionals able to dig deep and think on their feet to elevate a dish of tinned beans and pressed ham to restaurant standards?

For their second challenge the contenders must cook for three of the UK's most discerning restaurant critics: Jimi Famurewa, William Sitwell and Tracey Macleod. They have one hour and 15 minutes to prepare a two-course meal. Can they thrill as well as serve on time to remain in the competition, or under the stress will they overpromise and underdeliver?

Only the two most talented chefs will go through to the semi-finals and continue their pursuit of the 2021 title.

Heat three sees four professional chefs arrive to make their mark in the MasterChef kitchen and to stake their claim to the coveted title. With their reputations on the line, their knowledge and experience are tested as they face the infamous Skills Test under the watchful eye of judges Monica, Marcus and Gregg.

Monica sets the first test, a pasta challenge in which two chefs must make agnolotti filled with burrata and sun-dried tomatoes served with a pea and mint pesto. Rolling and filling the perfect pasta pillows requires accuracy, technique and precision. Will they be able to keep calm and deliver, or will nerves overcome them? The other two chefs face Marcus's test. They must prepare pan-fried calves liver with potato cake and walnut beurre noisette. All four contenders have just 20 minutes to complete their dishes. Will they hit the mark or fall at the first hurdle?

Heat three continues as the chefs cook their Signature Dishes. Each has one hour and 30 minutes to cook a main and a dessert that demonstrate their individual cooking style and technique. The judges will then choose which two chefs will be sent home and which two have impressed enough to make it through to this week's quarter-final.

Heat four sees another group of four professional chefs from around the country attempt to make their mark in the MasterChef kitchen and stake their claim to the coveted title. They face two intense challenges, after which two will be sent home and the two strongest will go through to this week's quarter-final.

The infamous Skills Test is the first challenge. Two chefs are asked by Monica to cook a traditional brunch favourite, eggs benedict with a chilli sauce hollandaise, in just 15 minutes. The other two chefs take on Marcus's test to prepare a strawberry dessert served with an Italian meringue and strawberry ripple cream. This is their chance to demonstrate their pastry skills and creative flair.

Then, in the final test of the day, the chefs showcase their personalities with their two-course Signature Dishes. Each has one hour and 30 minutes to execute a flawless main and dessert that highlights their talent and creativity. The judges will then decide who will be sent home and who will make it through to the quarter-final.

Tonight's quarter-final sees the strongest four chefs from heats three and four return to face two more demanding challenges.

First, the judges set the bar high with an Invention Test. The chefs must create a standout dish centered around one key ingredient, mustard. They have ten minutes to select their ingredients from an array of meat, fish and vegetables, then 60 minutes to cook and serve the dish. Can they turn up the heat and balance the bold and complex flavours of the classic condiment?

Then they face the daunting task of cooking for three of the UK's leading restaurant critics: Grace Dent, Tom Parker Bowles and William Sitwell. With one opportunity to make their mark, they have one hour and 15 minutes to prepare a perfect two-course menu. Can they strike the right balance between ambition and capability?

Only the most talented chefs will make it through to the semi-finals.

Four professional chefs arrive for the fifth heat, hoping to make their mark in the MasterChef kitchen and to stake their claim to the coveted title. With their reputations on the line, their knowledge and experience are tested as they face the infamous Skills Test under the watchful eye of all judges: Monica Galetti, Marcus Wareing and Gregg Wallace.

The first test is set by Marcus. Two of the four chefs must demonstrate classical preparation skills and attention to detail as they prepare poussin, cooked and served on the bone, with braised endive and a pear and hazelnut salad. The other two chefs are challenged by Monica to make chickpea panisses with an aubergine dip. All have only 20 minutes to produce a flawless dish.

Heat five continues as the four contenders return to the MasterChef kitchen to face their second challenge. They have one hour and 30 minutes to prepare their Signature Dishes: a main and a dessert which demonstrate skill, creativity and individuality. The chefs need to pull out all the stops to impress the judges and cement their place in the competition, as only two can go through to this week's quarter-finals. The other two will be going home.

Heat six opens with four more professional chefs from around the country facing the infamous Skills Test under the watchful eyes of judges Monica Galetti, Marcus Wareing and Gregg Wallace.

The first test is set by Marcus. Two of the chefs must prepare and cook sea bream served with couscous and a red pepper mayonnaise. The other two take on Monica's test. They need to prepare crepes served with a chocolate hazelnut spread, berries and chantilly. With just 20 minutes to complete their tasks, they need to work quickly while executing the dishes perfectly.

Then they return to the kitchen to cook their Signature Dishes. They have one hour and 30 minutes to prepare a main and a dessert that demonstrate both technical ability and ambition. This is their chance to rectify any mistakes made in the Skills Test and showcase delicious flavours before the judges decide who will be sent home and who will make it through to this week's quarter-final.

The third quarter-final sees the strongest four chefs from heats five and six return to face two more demanding challenges.

First, they face an Invention Test in which they must create a standout dish centered around colour. With an abundance of colourful vegetables, meat and fish to choose from, they have ten minutes to select their ingredients and 60 minutes to prepare and serve a dish. Will the contestants be bold and creative enough to stand out from the pack?

Then the chefs face the challenge of cooking for three of the UK's toughest restaurant critics: Grace Dent, Jay Rayner and Tom Parker Bowles. They have one hour and 15 minutes to deliver a perfectly executed and memorable two-course menu that will excite the palates of the critics and the MasterChef judges? Only the two most talented contenders will make it through to the semi-finals.

Four professional chefs arrive for heat seven, aiming to make their mark in the MasterChef kitchen and to stake their claim to the coveted title. First, they face the infamous Skills Test. Two of the four face Marcus Wareing's test: they have 20 minutes to prepare a prawn, avocado and pepper omelette served with prawn oil. The other two are challenged by Monica Galetti to make chicken kofte served with flatbread and cucumber salad.

Heat seven continues with the four contenders serving up their Signature Dishes. Each has one hour and 30 minutes to deliver a main and a dessert that showcase their creativity and individual cooking styles. Judges Monica, Marcus and Gregg will then choose which two chefs will be sent home and which two have done enough to make it through to this week's quarter-final.

Heat eight sees four more professional chefs from around the country attempt to make their mark in the MasterChef kitchen and stake their claim to the coveted title. Only the two strongest performers will go through to this week's quarter-final.

First they face the Skills Test under the watchful eyes of all three judges. Two chefs face the first test, set by Marcus Wareing. They must demonstrate classical technique and precise fish preparation skills as they prepare and cook squid with a herb vinaigrette on toast with a red wine sauce. The other two chefs take on Monica's pastry test. They need to make a coffee caramel poached pear served with a smooth praline cream and a muscovado crumb. Will they crumble under the pressure?

Then the four chefs return to the kitchen to cook their Signature Dishes. They have one hour and 30 minutes to deliver a main and a dessert good enough to cement their place in the competition. The two who fail to impress will be sent home.

This week's quarter-final sees the strongest four chefs from heats seven and eight return to face two more demanding challenges.

First, it's an Invention Test. Marcus and Monica ask the chefs to create a dish based on the theme of cheese. With ten minutes to select their ingredients and 70 minutes to cook, the chefs must act quickly to produce an accomplished dish that balances the bold flavours and textures of cheese. Will they be brave enough to think out of the box?

They then undertake the daunting task of cooking for three of the UK's most discerning restaurant critics: Tracey MacLeod, Jimi Famurewa and Jay Rayner. Under the increased pressure, they must keep their focus and deliver an ambitious and memorable two-course menu in one hour and 15 minutes. Only the most talented chefs will go through to the semi-finals and continue their pursuit of the MasterChef: The Professionals title.

After four weeks of intense competition, the nine strongest and most talented chefs return to the MasterChef kitchen for the semi-final round. They are set the challenge of creating a dish based around their favourite food memory. They have one hour and 15 minutes to produce a knockout dish supported by a culinary story inspired by wonderful times. With emotions running high in the kitchen, at the end of the challenge only the four strongest chefs will go straight through to the next stage of the semi-final.

The five weaker chefs must return to the kitchen for a cook-off, where they must pull out all the stops to save their place in the competition. Their last chance to impress the judges is an invention test using the leftovers and trimmings from the previous challenge. In one hour and 30 minutes, these chefs must demonstrate creativity, skill and quick thinking to deliver a delicious dish that elevates leftovers to new heights.

The strongest four will join the four from the previous challenge and continue their pursuit of the 2021 trophy.

The semi-final stage continues with just eight chefs left in the running for the 2021 title. Tonight, the first four face off over two challenges in the hope of making it to finals week.

Their first challenge sees them cook outside the MasterChef kitchen for the first time as they head to the heart of industrial east London to open a pop-up at a warehouse microbrewery. In recent years, the pop-up scene has exploded in the UK, giving innovative chefs the opportunity to deliver a unique dining experience in dynamic locations. Working on makeshift workstations with limited equipment and no ovens, the chefs must rise to the challenge and adapt their fine dining style to impress 14 esteemed guests from the world of pop-up kitchens. They have three hours to prepare and deliver one skillful pop-up dish that showcases star quality and is memorable on the menu for all the right reasons.

In their second challenge, the four chefs return to the MasterChef kitchen to face a cook-off. They have one hour and 45 minutes to create one dish of exceptional standard. Once the challenge is over, Marcus, Monica and Gregg taste their efforts, and for one chef it's the end of the road. The other three will be through to finals week.

The semi-final stage continues with the second group of four chefs facing off over two challenges in the hope of making it to finals week.

As in the previous episode, the chefs head to the heart of industrial east London to open a pop-up at a warehouse microbrewery. Working on makeshift workstations with limited equipment and no ovens, they must rise to the challenge and adapt their fine dining style to impress 14 esteemed guests from the world of pop-up kitchens. They have three hours to prepare and deliver one skillful pop-up dish that showcases star quality and is memorable on the menu for all the right reasons.

In the second challenge, the four chefs return to the MasterChef kitchen to face a cook-off. They have one hour and 45 minutes to create one dish of exceptional standard. Once the challenge is over, Marcus, Monica and Gregg taste their efforts and decide which chef to send home and which three will complete the finals week line-up.

Finals week begins with six chefs remaining. To win a place at the infamous Chef's Table, each must cook a dish that is dedicated to someone special. This round is all about passion and skill, and the judges' verdict will decide which two chefs will be leaving the competition and which four will be cooking at the Chef's Table.

Due to Covid-19, this year's Chef's Table is held at the MasterChef kitchen. The contenders must prepare their course for eight of the country's most acclaimed chefs, who have been hand-picked for this exclusive event and hold a remarkable 11 Michelin stars between them. They include Matt Abé, Nieves Barragan Mohacho, Michael Caines, Lisa Goodwin-Allen and Daniel Clifford. Cooking for these culinary giants is a huge honour, and the contenders must use their chance to stand out, get noticed and win the praise from the very best in the hospitality industry. They have three hours to deliver one exceptional dish that demonstrates their personal flair, technique and presentation skills. Nothing can go amiss in this round, as the chefs at the table are seeking perfection.

In the penultimate round, the pressure is on as the four remaining chefs compete to secure their place in the final three and a chance to cook in one of the world's best restaurants.

First, they must cook-off in the Classic Reimagined round. It's a potentially career-defining moment for the contenders, and they have two hours to stamp their own personalities and styles onto a world-renowned classic. One chef will leave the contest, as only three can proceed to the next round.

The surviving three contenders are then taken out of the MasterChef kitchen and thrown into a cooking world most chefs can only dream of - one of the world's best restaurants, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. With an astonishing 17 Michelin stars across an empire of global establishments, Alain Ducasse is the most celebrated chef living today and has set the standard for modern European cuisine. His world-renowned London restaurant has held three Michelin stars for the past 11 years and is led by executive chef Jean-Philippe Blondet.

Here, the first challenge sees the chefs attend a masterclass run by Jean-Philippe, where they get an insight into Alain Ducasse's philosophy before creating their own dish. They have one hour to deliver a dish inspired by the restaurant's ethos of championing vegetables and zero-waste, before serving it to Jean-Philippe.

Then the finalists face the biggest challenge of their careers. They must cook with Jean-Philippe and his elite kitchen brigade in a restaurant service like no other. Each finalist will be responsible for preparing and cooking one course for an exclusive group of selected guests. They must step up to new heights and handle the pressures of working in a three-Michelin-starred kitchen. Precision and attention to detail are crucial at every stage, and anything less than perfection will not be tolerated.

Over the last six weeks, some of the UK's most talented and ambitious chefs have battled it out to win the coveted title. Now, only the best three chefs remain. This is the final time they will cook in the competition and is the most important cook of their lives - at the end, one of them will be crowned champion.

In the MasterChef kitchen for the last time, the professionals have three hours to cook a starter, main and dessert that embody everything they are as a chef. They must keep their composure and put everything out there for the judges, demonstrating how much they have learnt and why they surpass the rest.

Mistakes are not an option, and it's down to every texture, flavour and skill to make these dishes the most outstanding of them all. Under intense pressure, they must remain cool, calm and collected to deliver three flawless plates of food.

Only one of the chefs can be crowned the MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2021.