MasterChef: The Professionals - Season 13

First aired: 11/10/2020 18 episodes

Episodes

1. Episode 1

Aired: 11/10/2020

In tonight’s first heat, Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti test four chefs' ability to prepare mushroom tortellini and butterflied mackerel before the chefs cook their signature dishes.

2. Episode 2

Aired: 11/11/2020

In tonight’s second heat, the chefs are challenged to prepare sweetbreads with a rustic red wine sauce and a glazed sabayon fruit dessert.

3. Episode 3

Aired: 11/17/2020

The first quarter-final sees the chefs' ability to cook with spices put to the test. Then they must cook for restaurant critics Jimi Famurewa and William Sitwell.

4. Episode 4

Aired: 11/17/2020

In this heat, four more professional chefs from around the country arrive at the MasterChef kitchen, ready to put their skills to the test. The chefs are put through their paces, undertaking two intense challenges, with two chefs being sent home and the two strongest contestants going through to this week's quarter-final. Each chef starts their journey by facing a skills test. Marcus Wareing challenges two chefs to butcher a chicken, debone the thighs and cook them with asparagus and a brandy, mushroom and mustard cream sauce, all in just 20 minutes. The other two chefs face a test set by Monica Galetti. They must create a fruit tart filled with a berry compote, piped pistachio chantilly and candied pistachios, and it has to be elegant.

5. Episode 5

Aired: 11/18/2020

In the second heat of the week, four new professional chefs arrive ready and determined to cook off against each other in the MasterChef Kitchen in the hopes of making it through to the quarter-finals. Two gruelling challenges lay ahead of them. First up is the skills test. The first two chefs are challenged by Monica Galetti to French-trim a rack of lamb and cook a portion to serve with a mint pesto. The other two chefs take on Marcus Wareing’s test where they must fillet a plaice and prepare it with a chicken butter sauce and pickled radish. Then the four chefs return to the kitchen to cook their own two-course signature dishes. They have one hour and 30 minutes to cook up a main and a dessert that highlight their creativity, flair and personal style. Then Monica, Marcus and Gregg will send two chefs home, while two progress to the next round.

6. Episode 6

Aired: 11/19/2020

The four best chefs from this week's heats return for their quarter-final, where they face two more demanding challenges set by Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing. First, the chefs face an invention test inspired by the seaside. They are presented with a choice of fish, shellfish and a selection of vegetables to use. They have 10 minutes to select the ingredients and 70 minutes to cook. There’s a lot to prove with this dish, as the judges want to see that the chefs can produce refined food with an imaginative twist. Then the chefs cook for two of the UK’s toughest restaurant critics, Grace Dent and Tom Parker Bowles. Will the critics' taste buds be satisfied, or will the food leave them with a sour taste? Only the three most talented chefs will go through to the semi-finals and continue their pursuit of the MasterChef: The Professionals title.

7. Episode 7

Aired: 11/24/2020

In this week's first heat, two chefs face a skills test set by judge Monica Galetti. They must fillet a trout, smoke it and serve it with a celeriac remoulade. Will they get the balance of flavour and smoke just right or will it be a burn out? Meanwhile, Marcus Wareing challenges the other two chefs to prepare a classic crepe suzette. Precision is crucial to achieve a good texture in the crepe and deliver a punch of flavour in the accompanying orange sauce. Will the chefs hit the mark or flounder at the first hurdle? Then the chefs prepare their two-course signature dishes. They have one hour and 25 minutes to cook up a main and a dessert that highlight their creativity and flair and give Monica, Marcus and Gregg a taste for their personal style. This is their chance to really cement their place in the competition and make it through to this week's quarter-final.

8. Episode 8

Aired: 11/25/2020

In this heat, four more professional chefs arrive from across the nation to compete in the renowned MasterChef kitchen. First, they face the dreaded skills test. Two chefs will try their hand at Marcus Wareing’s challenge of preparing scallops with a romesco sauce and a marinated tomato salad. The other two will take on Monica’s test to prepare lambs’ kidneys served on toast with a madeira mustard sauce. Then the chefs have a chance to rectify any mistakes and impress the judges with two stand-out signature dishes. This is their chance to come back fighting and show the judges what they are made of. Once time is up, the judges will decide which two are to be sent home and which two make it through to this week’s quarter-final.

9. Episode 9

Aired: 11/26/2020

It’s the third quarter-final, and the four best chefs from this week's heats face two more demanding challenges. First is an invention test. The dish they create must be centred around the use of citrus, and the judges will want to see that the chefs can handle variety and execute a dish spontaneously and with zest. Then the chefs will cook for two of the UK’s most discerning restaurant critics, Jay Rayner and Tracy MacLeod. Only the two most talented chefs will go through to the semi-finals.

10. Episode 10

Aired: 12/1/2020

Four more professional chefs from around the country arrive at the MasterChef kitchen ready to put their skills to the test. After two tough challenges, two of them will be sent home while the two strongest contestants will go through to this week's quarter-final. Marcus Wareing sets the first skills test, challenging two chefs to prepare a brunch dish of potato rosti served with egg, bacon and tomatoes. The other two chefs face a test set by Monica Galetti. Timing is everything as they prepare tempura mussels with a smoked garlic aioli. The chefs can’t take their eye off the ball or they risk overfrying the delicate muscles. The four chefs then have a chance to redeem themselves of any earlier mishaps as they cook their own two-course signature dishes. They have one hour and 25 minutes to rustle up a main and a dessert that highlight their personal panache.

11. Episode 11

Aired: 12/2/2020

In the final heat of the competition, four professional chefs from around the country arrive at the MasterChef kitchen ready to put their reputations on the line. Once more, two tough challenges will determine which two progress to the quarter-final and which two will go home. Monica Galetti sets tonight’s first skills test, asking two chefs to fillet and cook a John Dory to be served with a vibrant green parsley sauce and a garlic cream. The other two chefs take on a test set by Marcus, to prepare poached figs with honeycomb and flavoured cream. Then the four chefs have a chance to show the judges what they are all about, as they serve up their two-course signature dishes. They have one hour and 25 minutes to prepare a main and a dessert that highlight their personal style, and they will need to make an impression if they are to make it through to the quarter-final.

12. Episode 12

Aired: 12/3/2020

In the last of the quarter-finals, the four best chefs from this weeks’ heats return to face a tricky invention test. Monica and Marcus want them to create a dish that captures the essence of the forest, using an array of ingredients including meat, mushrooms and berries. There is much to prove with this dish, as the judges want to see that the chefs can produce sophisticated and innovative food. Then the chefs cook for two of the UK’s toughest restaurant critics, Grace Dent and Jay Rayner. They have one hour and 15 minutes to wow the judges with a two-course menu that’s memorable for all the right reasons. Only the two most impressive chefs will go through to the semi-finals and move one step closer to the MasterChef: The Professionals title.

13. Episode 13

Aired: 12/8/2020

The contest reaches the semi-final stage. After four weeks of competition, only the ten most gifted chefs remain. Tonight, for the first time, they all meet in the MasterChef kitchen, where they are set the challenge of producing a dish based around their favourite food memory. The group of ten will be split into two groups of five for the cooking, but they will ultimately all be cooking off against each other in the biggest challenge of the competition so far. They need to wow the three judges with a knockout dish that exemplifies the way in which food can remind you of wonderful times. The chefs have one hour and 15 minutes to prepare their cherished dish, after which the five strongest chefs of the day will go straight through to the next semi-final round.

14. Episode 14

Aired: 12/9/2020

The semi-finals continue with just eight stand-out chefs remaining in the running to win the coveted MasterChef title. Four chefs will come together tonight to face two challenges in the hope of making it to finals week, while the remaining four will compete in tomorrow night’s episode. The four chefs are taken out of their comfort zone when they are given a world-class demonstration by Michelin-starred chef Aktar Islam. His Birmingham-based restaurant, Opheem, has become renowned for pushing boundaries with its innovative Indian cuisine. First Aktar performs two demos, showcasing dishes based on two key elements, potato and pork. The chefs then choose from a larder of ingredients to create dishes inspired by Aktar’s teachings.

15. Episode 15

Aired: 12/10/2020

The final four semi-finalists face two intense challenges set by the judges in a bid to make it to finals week. They have the privilege of experiencing demonstrations by respected Michelin-starred chef Andrew Wong. His London restaurant, A. Wong, is regarded as the most cutting-edge Chinese restaurant in Britain today. In his demos, Andrew gives the chefs a taste of his mission to expand the culinary understanding of Chinese cuisine by showing them two dishes, dim sum and crispy chilli beef. The chefs then face an invention test in which they must take on board and use the ideas and techniques learned from Andrew. They have one hour and 30 minutes to produce two dishes and present them to Andrew and the three judges for them to taste and critique. The favourite chef of the day will be rewarded with a pass straight through to finals week.

16. Episode 16

Aired: 12/15/2020

Only the six most talented chefs remain as the competition reaches finals week. They now face their hardest tasks, including the infamous Chef's Table, where they face the scrutiny of some of the UK's most respected chefs. Before that is the final invention test, where they must produce their take on a classic dish. Split into two groups of three, they have just one hour and 15 minutes to come up with a twist on rabbit in mustard sauce and bouillabaisse with a rouille and a crouton. The chef who presents the finest dish in each of the groups will be rewarded with a pass straight through to the final four. The remaining chefs cook-off for a place in the final four in another classics challenge. This time, it's their take on a classic dessert, with their pastry skills being tested. Once again, the best two chefs will win places in the final four, while it will be the end of the road for the other two.

17. Episode 17

Aired: 12/16/2020

Finals week continues with only four chefs remaining. In this penultimate round, they are fighting to secure their place in the final three by preparing a menu for some of the most respected chefs in the UK: Aktar Islam, Matt Abé, Sally Abé, Michael Caines, Jun Tanaka, Niall Keating, Daniel Clifford and Anna Haugh. Each chef is responsible for one of the courses, with three hours and 15 minutes to create a spectacular dish and get it to the pass ready to serve. This challenge is all about showing their personal flair, precision, timing and immaculate presentation - nothing can go a miss in this round, as the smallest thing will be noticed. This is followed by a round that is all about passion, as the chefs have one hour and 45 minutes to cook a dish dedicated to someone special. The dish needs to combine all their best attributes and skills and deliver a special culinary experience for the judges. For one of our gifted chefs it will be their last dish of the competition, as the judg

18. Episode 18

Aired: 12/17/2020

Over the last six weeks, some of the UK's most talented and ambitious chefs have battled it out to win the coveted title. Now, only the best three chefs remain. Each one of them has something unique and special, and they have one last challenge in which to show it They have three hours and 15 minutes to cook a starter, a main and a dessert that embody everything they are as a chef. They must put everything out there for the judges, demonstrating how much they have learnt and why they stand out above the rest. Mistakes are not an option - under intense pressure, they must remain cool, calm and collected to deliver three flawless plates of food. Only one of them can be crowned MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2020.