Episode 1

In the first of the heats, the first batch of five celebrities undertake three tough culinary challenges in a bid to prove their cookery talent to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Hoping to show they've got what it takes are actor Keith Allen, TV presenter Michelle Ackerley, former international rugby player and TV presenter Martin Bayfield, recording artist and model Josh Cuthbert and singer-songwriter Carol Decker. The first challenge for the five hopefuls is the Mystery Box,. The contestants must use the ingredients in the box, as well as a basic larder, to create one just dish in 50 minutes. The celebrities are then split into two groups to take on the challenge of cooking for the first time in a restaurant kitchen, preparing dishes for paying customers. In the final test it's back to the MasterChef kitchen, as the contestants are asked to prepare a two-course menu of their own design.