Top chef and restaurateur John Torode, and food writer and ingredients expert Gregg Wallace are searching for the country's best amateur cook. The first batch of contestants, picked from thousands of hopeful amateurs, face three high-pressure tests to see who has the passion, the skill and the creativity to make it to the quarter-finals. In the first heat the contestants face the pressure of the professional kitchen in Italian restaurant Dolada, and in the second they have to master British classics at Rotunda. Finally, they must get to grips with modern Spanish tapas at Iberica. Only the best will make it through, taking them one step closer to becoming the next MasterChef...

John Torode and Gregg Wallace search for the country's best amateur cook. Six more cooks face high-pressure tests, including the challenges of the Indian restaurant Zeen.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace search for the country's best amateur cook. Contestants face high-pressure tests including challenges at 1901 and Bar Trattoria Semplice.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace search for the country's best amateur cook. Contestants face high-pressure tests including challenges at the Eastside Inn and Sophie's Steakhouse.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace continue their search for the country's best amateur cook, as the winners of the week's heats battle to reach the semi-finals.

The contestants face the pressure of the professional kitchen at the Winter Garden in London, and attempt to master Indian cuisine at Moti Mahal in Covent Garden.

The contestants face the pressure of the professional kitchen at Turkish restaurant Ozer, and in the second they must master modern British cuisine at Kettners.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace continue their search for the country's best amateur cook, as the winners of the week's heats battle to reach the semi-finals.

The search for the country's best amateur cook. The contestants face the pressure of the professional kitchen at Le Pont De La Tour, and attempt to master Indian tapas at Imli.

The search for the country's best amateur cook continues. The heat winners reach the quarter final, where they must design an exceptional three course meal to impress the judges.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace continue the search for the country's best amateur cook. The semi-finalists must design an exceptional three course meal that will impress the judges.

The search for the country's best amateur cook continues, as twelve contestants face challenges at Axis in Covent Garden and Osteria Dell'Angolo.

The search for the country's best amateur cook continues, as twelve contestants face challenges at the Criterion restaurant in Piccadilly Circus and fish restaurant Catch.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace search for the country's best amateur cook. The contestants must design an exceptional three-course meal that will impress the judges.

It's comeback week and eight contestants that didn't quite make the grade last year face four high-pressure tests to see who has improved in the past twelve months.

Eight contestants who didn't quite make the grade last year attempt to qualify for the quarter-finals, before competing for the last remaining place in the semi-finals.

It's the first of the semi-finals as the eight exceptional amateur cooks who have made it from the heats, battle against each other for the first time.

Cookery challenge. The six remaining contestants face two tough challenges, including cooking a three-course lunch for 20 members of the Women's Institute.

Cookery challenge hosted by John Torode and Gregg Wallace. The five most talented cooks in the country remain. They are put through their paces as the competition gets tougher.

Cookery challenge. The four semi-finalists face just one daunting challenge - to serve their best two courses to three of the country's most renowned, and toughest, food critics.

The Final Three (1) Cookery challenge. The three remaining cooks travel to the Indian city of Jodhpur to compete in three different challenges, including one that involves cooking for royalty.

The Final Three (2) Cookery challenge. It's the penultimate test for the three finalists, as they cope with taking over a top London restaurant on a busy Friday night, and cook for chef Alain Ducasse.

The Final Three (3) Cookery challenge. It's the final and the competitors compete in three challenges, including cooking a busy lunch service at three different European Michelin starred restaurants.