Season 16 - Episode Guide

John Torode and Gregg Wallace return with the cookery competition, as a new batch of contestants are put through gruelling culinary challenges to test not just their skills, but also their knowledge of food and ability to cope in a professional kitchen. This year they will have to cook not only for their place in the competition but also the right to wear a coveted MasterChef apron, with six contestants in each heat and only four aprons up for grabs, beginning by preparing their signature dish.

The next six amateurs try to prove themselves and impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace, presenting them with a dish of their own design. John and Gregg will pick their two favourites, and those cooks earn themselves a place in the next round. The four remaining contestants are now challenged to cook off in a new test - The Three Ingredients Challenge - conjuring up a dish using squid, courgette and chilli.

The first quarter-final sees the six talented heat winners return to fight for a place in Knockout Week. Facing the Critic's Test, the week's best-performing amateurs take on an intimidating task, cooking to a brief set by top food critic Jay Rayner, who asks them to produce an exceptional dish incorporating stuffing.

It's the second week of heats, with six more hopefuls getting their first chance to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.

The second week of heats continue with six more contestants vying to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.

It's the second quarter-final, with six heat winners returning to fight for a place in Knockout Week.

It's the third week of heats, with six more hopefuls getting their first chance to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.

The third week of heats continues with six more contestants vying to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.

It's the third quarter-final, with six heat winners returning to fight for a place in Knockout Week.

It's the fourth week of heats, with six more hopefuls getting their first chance to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.

The fourth week of heats continues with six more contestants vying to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.

It's the fourth quarter-final, with six heat winners returning to fight for a place in Knockout Week.

It's the fifth and final week of heats, with six more hopefuls getting their first chance to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.

The last group of contestants get their chance to win an apron by cooking their signature dish.

It's the last quarter-final, with six heat winners returning to fight for a place in Knockout Week.

After five weeks of fiercely competitive heats, 16 amateur cooks remain to battle it out in Knockout Week.

Knockout Week continues with the second group of eight amateur chefs put to the test.

On the final day of Knockout Week, the best ten amateur chefs remain - all of them desperate to reach the semi-finals.

The MasterChef semi-finals begin with a spectacular challenge as the contestants head to the Royal Navy base in Portsmouth.

The remaining seven contestants are surprised by a very special guest. Joining them in the MasterChef kitchen is one of the country's best chefs, Tom Kitchin.

The remaining five chefs tackle the last challenge of the semi-finals, cooking for four of the country's most feared restaurant critics.

It's finals week, and only four chefs remain. Tonight, they embark on a culinary adventure of a lifetime on the island of Mauritius.

The four finalists face a challenge set by the world's greatest pastry chef, Albert Adria.

It's the MasterChef final. After an arduous eight-week journey, the search for the country's best amateur cook reaches its climax.