More than 20,000 people applied to audition for the series.
#MASTERCHEF THE PROFESSIONALS IMDB SERIES#
Series 7 of Master Chef had auditions with a format similar to The X Factor, in which hopeful chefs cooked in front of the judges to secure a spot in the competition. In 2010, the judges were given more flexibility, allowing them to advance more than one contestant to the quarter-finals or, in one instance, none at all. After six weeks, the six semi-finalists compete in the final two weeks. At the end of each week, the four quarter-finalists compete and a semi-finalist is chosen. Six contestants enter each heat and the winner becomes a quarter-finalist. During the first six weeks, the first four episodes of each week are heats and the fifth episode is a quarter-final.
Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace at MasterChef Live, London, 2009Įach series is broadcast on five nights a week for eight weeks. However, the new version of the show did not revive ratings as hoped and was cancelled by the BBC after the first series. Rhodes' advice to contestants was more critical than Grossman's and the show was acclaimed for its more serious tone, which later inspired the MasterChef Goes Large format and other cooking competitions like Hell's Kitchen. In October 2000, Grossman left in anger over the proposed changes and was replaced by chef Gary Rhodes, who had previously presented MasterChef USA. As an additional requirement, each contestant had to use the same key ingredient in each course. The celebrity judge was no longer included and the contestants had to cook two courses in 90 minutes, which was extended to two-and-a-half hours for three courses in the final episode. It was moved from its traditional Sunday afternoon slot on BBC One to a Tuesday night slot on BBC Two and the format of the show was modified. In 2001, the show underwent a makeover in response to declining ratings.
He returned to present the 1999 series but left the show in 2000. In 1998, Grossman decided to take a sabbatical and the series was not made in his absence. The judges' "cogitations" originally took place off-camera, but later episodes included edited highlights of the discussions after the food had been tasted and before the winner was announced. In each episode, Grossman and the guest judges discussed the menus, talked to the contestants, and finally ate and judged the food.
#MASTERCHEF THE PROFESSIONALS IMDB PROFESSIONAL#
The first incarnation of the series was presented by Loyd Grossman, who was joined each week by a professional chef and a celebrity to act as judges. "Everyday" ingredients and equipment were provided, and contestants could also bring up to five "speciality" ingredients or utensils. The contestants could choose the meal, although there was a price limit on ingredients. In each round, three contestants were tasked with preparing a gourmet three-course meal in under two hours. The show featured nine rounds leading up to three semifinals and a final. In the original series, amateur cooks competed for the title of Master Chef.