MasterChef: The Professionals

Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti and newly appointed judge Matt Tebbutt have begun the hunt for the next culinary star, following two challenges devised by 2016 champion Gary Maclean. The trio will oversee the competition as contestants tackle the briefs set for them.

The programme brings together three well‑known chefs as its judging panel. Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti return to the table, while Matt Tebbutt steps in as the newest judge. Together they form the core of a competition that aims to discover the next culinary star. The heart of the show lies in the challenge they set for aspiring chefs. The contestants will be asked to complete two distinct briefs, each devised by Gary Maclean – the winner of the 2016 edition of the competition. Those briefs form the framework of the contest, giving participants clear tasks that reflect the standards set by a previous champion. Wareing and Galetti contribute their long‑standing expertise, while Tebbutt adds a fresh perspective to the judging process. All three will assess how the competitors interpret and execute the briefs, measuring skill, creativity and technical ability against the benchmark established by Maclean’s winning approach. By anchoring the competition to the two briefs created by the 2016 winner, the series ties its present search for talent directly to a proven standard of excellence. The judges’ combined experience and the clear parameters set by Maclean aim to ensure that the eventual winner truly embodies the qualities of a rising star in the culinary world.