MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 line-up - Meet the chefs

MasterChef: The Professionals is back for a 19th season on BBC One as 24 professional chefs take on a new culinary challenge set by judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti.

Across seven weeks, the chefs will be tested on every aspect of their craft, from precision and technique to bold creativity and their ability to perform under pressure, with the field whittled down heat by heat.

The line-up spans fine-dining kitchens, private cheffing and independent restaurant ventures.

Read on for a guide to the contestants taking part in MasterChef: The Professionals season 19.

Below is a list of the contestants confirmed to be taking part in MasterChef: The Professionals 2026.

Read on to learn more about the contestants taking part.

Heat one

Ruchi stood in front of the MasterChef logo hanging on a brick wall. She is wearing chef whites and has her arms folded while she smiles.

Private chef and owner of Milaanj by Ruchi Mehrotra

Ruchi Mehrotra is a private chef and the owner of Milaanj by Ruchi Mehrotra, providing "thoughtful signature Indian dining".

A man stood with his arms folded in front of his chest, wearing chef whites and stood in front of the MasterChef logo.

Operations director at Relentless Steak & Lobster House

Jack Sencherey-Evans is operations director at Relentless Steak & Lobster House, having been at Natty's Jerk during filming.

A woman smiling ahead while wearing chef whites and her arm folded in front of her.
A man smiling ahead with his arms folded. He is wearing chef whites.

Sous chef at Sunlaws Restaurant, Schloss Roxburghe Hotel

Kieran Jones is a sous chef at Sunlaws Restaurant within the Schloss Roxburghe Hotel in the Scottish Borders.

A man stood smiling with his arms folded in front of his chest, wearing chef whites.

Senior sous chef at The Sir Charles Napier

Dan Nunn is a senior sous chef at The Sir Charles Napier in Oxfordshire, serving up British and French cuisine.

A man smiling ahead with his arms folded in front of his chest. He is wearing chef whites.

Head chef at Caper & Cure

Matty Grove is head chef at Caper & Cure, a restaurant in Bristol.

"I've worked in kitchens for a long time, but the bulk of my education came from chef Gordon at Menu Gordon Jones. That's when things got real," Matty told The Staff Canteen.

Heat two

A man wearing chef whites with his arms folded in front of his chest, looking ahead.

Virtual cooking experience host and mobile caterer

Gregory Schaad-Jackson hosts virtual cooking experiences and works as a mobile caterer, arriving with a less conventional culinary background than many of his rivals.

Morteza smiling ahead with his arms folded.

Morteza Nouri works as a private chef.

A woman stood looking ahead with her arms folded in front of her chest.

Sous chef at Rambutan

Clara Lim is a sous chef at Rambutan, the acclaimed Sri Lankan-inspired restaurant in London's Borough Market.

A man smiling ahead with his arms folded in front of his chest.

Junior sous chef at Knockinaam Lodge Hotel & Restaurant

Ben Black is a junior sous chef at Knockinaam Lodge Hotel & Restaurant in Scotland, having been at Condita during filming.

A man looking ahead with his arms folded in front of his chest.

Chef de partie and co-founder of Guatú

Ibraheem 'Ibz' Umar is a chef de partie and co-founder of Guatú, a London-based Caribbean culinary pop-up.

A woman stood in front of a brick wall, wearing white chef whites with her arms folded.

Chef patron at Delizia Italian Food

Filomena D'Uva is chef patron at Delizia Italian Food, a place "where people can appreciate what is the authentic Italian food".

Upcoming heats

Demi chef de partie at The Hand and Flowers

Abigail Smith arrives from one of the country's most celebrated kitchens, working as a demi chef de partie at Tom Kerridge's two-Michelin-starred The Hand and Flowers in Marlow.

Aleandro Brown works as a private chef.

Chef and owner of Petty Fours

Alfred Petty runs his own business, Petty Fours, in Cornwall, a restaurant that offers "a delightful fusion of taste and theatre".

Private chef and founder of Andrea's Table

Andrea Ruszel is a private chef and the founder of Andrea's Table, a private dining offering contemporary Italian cuisine.

Head chef at The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman's Rest

Dominique Ogunlowo is a private chef who offers "bespoke dining experiences and event catering services".

Sous chef at 64 Goodge Street

Inayya Hamid is a sous chef at 64 Goodge Street in London, a restaurant from Woodhead Restaurant Group.

Co-founder and head chef at Volta Do Mar

Head chef at The Goose and Cuckoo

Jim Foster-Grundy is head chef at The Goose and Cuckoo, bringing pub-kitchen experience to the MasterChef gantry.

Manuel Ribeiro heads up the kitchen at 670 Grams, a tasting-menu restaurant in Birmingham.

Junior sous chef at Jumeirah Carlton Tower

Sebastian Brooks is a junior sous chef at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London.

MasterChef: The Professionals begins on Tuesday 3 November at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Add MasterChef: The Professionals to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our to find out what else is on. For more TV recommendations and reviews listen to .

Original source MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 line-up - Meet the chefs

Back to home