MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 cast: Who is taking part in the new BBC series?

Get ready for the battle in the kitchen!

Every year, fans of MasterChef eagerly await the spin-off show, The Professionals. This intense competition pits pro-chefs against each other to determine who will be crowned the top chef. And now, MasterChef: The Professionals is back with a brand new batch of talented chefs ready to showcase their skills.

32 professional chefs, one ultimate winner

Throughout the competition, 32 professional chefs from all across the UK will go head-to-head in a series of challenges to impress the judges of MasterChef: The Professionals. Each week, contestants will be tested and the competition will intensify as they strive to showcase their culinary expertise.

Meet the first eight contestants

So far, eight contestants have been announced for this season:

Heat one:

• Cameron, 25, from the Scottish Highlands. He runs the kitchen of his family restaurant.
• Catrin, 31, originally from Sweden, is the head chef at a contract catering company in central London.
• Himanshu, 24, works as a chef de partie at the prestigious private members' club Annabel's in Mayfair, London.
• Dara, 24, moved from Limerick, Ireland to New Forest at the age of 16 to pursue his dream of becoming a chef.

Heat two:

• Cristina, 51, originally from Recife, Brazil, worked as an accountant for 20 years before retraining as a chef. She now works as a group head chef for Camm & Hopper.
• Tommy, 27, from Bristol and Somerset, is a classically trained head chef with a decade of experience in award-winning restaurants.
• Charlie, 22, is a young head chef who started working in kitchens at the age of 14. He has honed his skills in restaurants across Devon and Cornwall.
• Rosie, 34, runs her own cafe in Rye, East Sussex. After finishing university, she worked as a chalet chef in the French Alps.

Meet the esteemed judges

The contestants will have to impress the judging panel of MasterChef: The Professionals:

Gregg Wallace: With his extensive experience in the MasterChef franchise since 2005, Gregg Wallace is a well-known face in the culinary world. Aside from his TV appearances, he is also a writer, farmer, and former restaurant owner.

Marcus Wareing: Having worked in prestigious locations around the world, Marcus Wareing is a renowned celebrity chef and owner of several Michelin-starred restaurants in London.

Monica Galetti: Monica Galetti's culinary journey began in New Zealand, and she has since gained international recognition for her skills. She has appeared on various food shows and even released her own book.

When and where to watch

MasterChef: The Professionals airs three times a week on BBC One. Tune in at 9pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, and at 8pm on Tuesdays. If you miss an episode, you can always catch up on the BBC iPlayer.