MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 Series Launches with Exciting Changes
The highly anticipated eighteenth series of MasterChef: The Professionals is set to premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday, 10 February 2026. This latest instalment introduces significant updates that promise to refresh the beloved culinary competition for both contestants and viewers alike.
New Judging Panel and Relocated Studio
A major development for the 2026 series sees Matt Tebbutt joining the judging panel alongside established culinary icons Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti. This change follows Gregg Wallace's departure from the programme last year, marking a new chapter for the competition. Tebbutt, best known for presenting Saturday Kitchen on BBC, brings extensive television experience from shows like Channel 4's Food Unwrapped and ITV's Save Money: Good Food.
Equally noteworthy is the programme's relocation to a new Birmingham studio, moving the production from its previous London base. This geographical shift represents the first time the professional version of MasterChef has been filmed outside the capital, injecting fresh energy into the production.
Broadcast Schedule and Format Details
The series launches with an adjusted broadcast schedule for its opening week:
- Episode one - Tuesday, 10 February at 8pm
- Episode two - Wednesday, 11 February at 8pm
- Episode three - Sunday, 15 February at 7pm
Following this initial week, the programme will resume its regular scheduling pattern. The opening episode will air at 8pm on BBC One, with simultaneous availability on BBC iPlayer for catch-up viewing.
Judges' Enthusiasm for the New Era
The judging panel has expressed considerable excitement about the series' transformations. Matt Tebbutt commented: "I'm walking through the MasterChef doors for the first time myself and I cannot wait to see the cooking talent this year's chefs are bringing into the kitchen. I want to be wowed from the off, but it will take some serious work to get through the competition that awaits them."
Monica Galetti revealed her enthusiasm about the new studio environment: "We've been so excited about the new studio! And we're always so ready to see the new chefs walk through that door. Getting back together with all the crew again, who are like family, is great. And then there was a new face joining us – Matt. It's been a lot of fun."
Marcus Wareing echoed this sentiment, describing the changes as feeling like "a new era in a way" and noting the palpable energy in the Birmingham studio reminded him of the post-lockdown return to filming.
Competition Structure and Contestant Diversity
Throughout the seven-week series, 32 professional chefs from across the United Kingdom will compete in a rigorous culinary contest. Contestants hail from diverse geographical locations including Edinburgh, Exmouth, North Yorkshire, Norfolk, Glasgow, Greenwich, Birmingham, Bristol, Somerset, and Shropshire.
The opening episode introduces four chefs who will face the judges' scrutiny:
- Emma - A Chef de Cuisine raised in New Zealand who draws inspiration from her grandmother
- Ismail - Head Chef at The Stag, an independent gastro pub in Hampstead
- Mario - A Private Chef originally from Seville, Spain
- Terry - Head Chef at The Tickled Trout Inn in Yorkshire, originally from Wirral
These chefs represent the calibre of culinary talent competing throughout the series, each bringing unique backgrounds and professional experiences to the MasterChef kitchen.
What to Expect from Series 18
The competition maintains its rigorous format where chefs are assessed on multiple criteria including:
- Culinary expertise and technical skill
- Resilience under pressure
- Depth of culinary knowledge
- Adaptability to challenging scenarios
- Consistent delivery of exceptional dishes
With a new judge, fresh studio location, and diverse contestant pool, MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 promises to deliver compelling television for cooking enthusiasts across the nation. The combination of established judging expertise with Tebbutt's fresh perspective, coupled with the energy of the Birmingham production base, creates an exciting new chapter for this long-running BBC culinary institution.
