Is MasterChef: The Professionals on today? BBC reminder to viewers after episode 3 shake-up
MasterChef is being pulled out the oven early 👨🍳👩🍳
- MasterChef: The Professionals could catch fans out this weekend.
- The latest episode will arrive earlier than you may expect.
- But when exactly can you tune in?
A brand new episode of MasterChef: The Professionals will be served up sooner than expected. The BBC will be opening the oven doors early and could catch fans out.
The cooking show spin-off returned last week for its 2026 edition. It included a big change with a new judge joining the panel - following the sacking of Gregg Wallace.
But when can you expect the next episode? Here’s all you need to know:
Is MasterChef: The Professionals on today?
Viewers are in for a late Valentine’s Day treat, as MasterChef will be serving up its next episode earlier than expected. The third course arrives today (February 15) - which may catch audiences out.
The show is set to start at the earlier time of 7pm, it has been confirmed. It will be followed by Call the Midwife.
It will air on BBC One and the latest episode is already available on iPlayer. The preview for today’s episode reads: “The first quarter-final of the competition is under way, and the best chefs of the week are back, hoping to deliver even more culinary brilliance.
“A quarter-final means one thing: the pressure is on. The judges have set an invention test with a twist. On their benches, the professionals all have a surprise key ingredient that they must place at the forefront of their dish – king prawns!
“The chefs may all have cooked with prawns previously, but it’s easy to destroy their delicate flavour if you cook them without a steady hand and an eye on the timings. Once through the invention test, some of the country’s leading restaurant critics and regular guests of the show make a welcome return to set the standard even higher for these hopeful chefs.”
The chefs will also have to prepare a two-course meal for critics Tom Parker Bowles, Leyla Kazim and Jimi Famurewa. Who will make it through?
Who is the new judge on MasterChef: The Professionals?
Viewers have been introduced to a brand new face in the MasterChef kitchen this year. Matt Tebbutt has joined the judging panel as the replacement for Gregg Wallace.
Matt will join Marcus and Monica for the full season. Audiences will recognise him as the host of Saturday Kitchen on BBC One. He has a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry as well as in TV and authoring cookbooks and regularly contributing to food and travel magazines.
Speaking about the new season, Matt said: “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.”