THE MasterChef kitchen is back in action as the popular cooking competition returns to BBC One.
MasterChef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace are on the look out to find the UK’s best amateur cook, one plate at a time.
Who is in the MasterChef 2022 line-up?
The MasterChef 2022 lineup is made up of 45 passionate and talented hopefuls.
They come from all walks of life including an NHS Worker, Theatre Director, Beer Bike Tour Guide, Childcare Worker, Bank Manager and Retired Head Teacher.
They are split into five groups of nine amateur cooks.
The first batch of chefs have been released, and they will go head to head in week one.
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Week One
Clive
Married dad-of-three Clive, 50, is a School Facilities Manager who hails from Chafford Hundred, near Grays.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I predominantly focus on Caribbean cooking but am happy to try my hand at everything, including Thai, Italian and Chinese cuisine.
“I take inspiration from my family, and the food I ate as a child but also where I have travelled to as an adult.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Clive said: “I’d love to be able to elevate Caribbean cooking and bring it into a fine dining setting. This is what I hope I can show in the competition.”
Eddie
30-year-old Eddie is a Marine Pilot who lives in Beverley, Yorkshire
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “Travels to France during childhood holidays have inspired my love for the classic regional dishes of France.
“My Indian heritage also plays a huge part in my cooking style. I love to cook the Punjabi dishes I grew up eating with my family.
“But my real passion is the great Mughlai cuisine: the historic royal dishes of Old Delhi, Lucknow and Hyderabad. I also love to combine classic techniques with Indian flavours, creating my own fusion.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Eddie said: “I sat watching the show for years telling myself to apply; the chance to push myself in what I truly enjoy doing!
“I want to cook beyond my friends and family and go up in front of John and Gregg to see what I can really do.
“I feel that now I’m ready to give it everything. I know it’s going to be a tough competition but I’m ready to give it my best shot and see where it takes me, but above all, have fun cooking my food!”
Haylee
Haylee hails from London and is a 29-year-old Events Manager.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “My mum is Finnish, my dad’s family is Jamaican and I grew up in the UK so I am a Fimaican!
“My cooking is a combination of my heritage. I love the big bold flavours of Caribbean food but also the lighter touches of Nordic dishes.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Haylee said: “I’ve always wanted to work in the food industry and competing in MasterChef is a way to see if that can become a reality.
“It’s a test of my skills and a test of how I handle the pressure.“
Laura
Mum-of-two Laura, 32 lives in Bath and is a politics student.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “My big passion is Sri Lankan soul food.
“My mum is Sri Lankan and is a wonderful cook. I love recreating the dishes I grew up eating and those I’ve tried whilst visiting family in Sri Lanka.
“I have a 110 year old cookbook that has been passed down in my family so I love working my way through that.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Laura said: “Having been a single mum for a few years now, I wanted to finally do something for myself.
“Cooking for my friends became a weekly tradition. My friend encouraged me to send in the application and I ended up here!”
Lisa
Lisa, 39 is a Cleaning Business Owner from Glasgow
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “I’d say I’m quite a classical cook.
“I like cooking hearty dishes but in a fine dining way. I particularly love cooking with game, taking inspiration from the amazing Scottish produce I’m surrounded by.
“And any opportunity to make burgers and barbecue, I take it.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Lisa said: “I guess I’m looking for that confidence boost and validation of my cooking.
“I’d also love to make my wife and my children proud, that really would be awesome.”
Paul
53-year-old Paul is a builder and former police officer from Dorset.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I love cooking a whole range of dishes from all over the world, and also traditional British dishes, all with the focus of packing a punch with flavour.
“Living on the coast I cook a lot of seafood and I also take massive pride in making really good sauces.”
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Paul said: “I entered the competition because quite simply I love cooking.
“It is a real hobby of mine and I find it a stress-reliever to cook, and to be creative and inventive with meals at home.
“Plus, I always think my home cooking is better than going out to a restaurant!”
Pookie
Pookie, 45, is a Beauty Salon Owner from Solihull.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “I was born in Bangkok and grew up in Thailand.
“I am Thai with Chinese heritage and although this has a huge influence on my cooking, I don’t limit myself to Thai-Chinese food.
“I like cooking international foods but love introducing my own style with all the foods I’ve cooked.
“Most of all I want my food to be flavoursome, delicious, fun and put a smile on people’s faces.
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Pookie said: “Friends had often encouraged me, saying my style is very unique and finally my husband made me apply.
“I’d never really thought I was good enough to enter a competition such as that, but one day I just decided to go for it.
“I’m not super competitive but I love cooking, so I will give it a go, have fun and who knows how far it will take me! I’d like to show the world my Pookie Style.”
Rachel
22-year-old Rachel is a Beer Bike Tour Guide from Belfast.
Speaking about her food inspiration, she told the BBC: “I love using interesting ingredients.
“My dad once drove 80 miles to drop off some fresh nettles from his garden for me to cook with!
“My nana was a baker by trade and my mum is a fantastic cook. My fiancé’s mother was a chef in her younger years and she was definitely my main inspiration to cook.”
Speaking about why she wanted to enter MasterChef, Rachel said: “I thought I would enter MasterChef as a personal challenge to test my limits and to prove to myself that I could actually cook.
“I never thought I would get on the show and to even have the chance to cook for John and Gregg is such an achievement, especially at my age.”
Rishi
Rishi is a 26-year-old Dentist from Harrow.
Speaking about his food inspiration, he told the BBC: “I’ve been a vegetarian all my life and really want to showcase the potential that vegetarian and vegan food really has, especially with a fusion of pan-Asian flavours.
Speaking about why he wanted to enter MasterChef, Rishi said: “I was running a food blog as a passion project and creative outlet, it then proceeded to take off during lockdown.
“I want to see if I’ve really got what it takes to compete at the highest level with my cooking. I want to showcase the food and flavours that I love as I feel like I have a unique style of cooking, which is heavily based on fusion flavours.
“Vegetarian food has always seemed like an afterthought in most restaurants with very little creativity or versatility, as well as limited options.
“I would love to see vegetarian food represented to its full potential on TV and I’d like to see if I can change that.”
When is MasterChef on TV?
MasterChef will kick off TONIGHT (March 23, 2022) at 8pm on BBC One.
There will also be a double bill of the show on Friday (March 23, 2022) at 8pm.
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The good news for fans is there are a whopping 24 episodes in the series.
The show will play out over seven weeks, and there will be three episodes a week.
