BBC announces two-part MasterChef Christmas special
Details of the MasterChef Christmas special have been announced by the BBC.
MasterChef is set for a two-part Christmas special.
The festive-themed shows will feature a host of well-known celebrity chefs and restaurant critics, who will battle it out in a Christmas cook-off.
The BBC explained: "Episode one will see five celebrity chefs, each with their own distinctive cooking style, go head-to-head in an epic festive showdown.
"Competing for the coveted Golden Whisk this Christmas are Italian celebrity chef Aldo Zilli, Irish TV chef and cookery school teacher Rachel Allen, British-Iranian TV presenter, chef and bestselling author Sabrina Ghayour, social media food sensation Seema Pankhania, and beloved Scottish chef and restaurateur Tony Singh."
The second episode will feature a different group of contestants.
The BBC explained: "Episode two will see some of the country's top restaurant critics return in a bid to claim the title. Taking part in the festive rematch are current critics' champion Jay Rayner, alongside Jimi Famurewa, Leyla Kazim, Tom Parker Bowles and William Sitwell."
The festive specials will be hosted by restaurant critic and broadcaster Grace Dent, who has co-hosted MasterChef alongside Anna Haugh since 2025.
The duo replaced previous co-hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode, and Grace admitted that she was thrilled to join the long-running BBC show last year.
She said at the time: "I’m over the moon to be coming back to the MasterChef kitchen and unearthing what culinary skills people have been cooking up behind closed doors. It’s a joy to be working with Anna, who brings all her incredible experience to the table. I am in for such a treat with this series, I can’t wait to get started."
Anna was also thrilled to be working with Grace.
She said: "I’m delighted to be back on MasterChef and judging alongside the wonderful Grace Dent, whose writing and wit I’ve admired for years. MasterChef has long inspired and resonated with cooks in home kitchens and of course in my industry."
