MasterChef is returning with a fresh group of cooks eager to wow the judges with their skills.
The 22nd season of the BBC cooking competition is set to be a memorable one, now hosted by Grace Dent and Anna Haugh.
New hosts Haugh and Dent aren’t feeling any pressure about taking over from John Torode and Gregg Wallace, they told TopMob in a recent interview.
Haugh explained that the show’s success isn’t down to any single individual, but rather to the incredible talent of its contestants, who truly make the program what it is.
But who will simmer under the pressure and who will reach boiling point as the heats get under way?
Forty-eight cooks are competing for a limited number of white MasterChef aprons, and they’ll need to impress the judges with their dishes to advance in the competition.
Get to know the home cooks competing in this challenge and discover what motivated them to join the show.
MasterChef 2026 contestants: Who is competing in series 22?
Who is in Heat One?
Brendan
Age: 57
From: Essex
Job: Construction Project Company Director
Brendan’s passion for cooking started early – he fondly remembers helping his parents prepare Christmas dinner as a child.
I’ve noticed the kitchen has become his real sanctuary – he truly loves being in there. He expresses his affection for all of us by pouring his heart into the food he cooks, and it’s amazing to experience that love through his meals.
Before the series began, he explained that many people, particularly his family, had encouraged him to compete. He first entered the competition in 2020 and made a commitment to continue applying each year until he was selected as a contestant.
After five years, my dream finally came true – it was a huge accomplishment and something I’d always wanted to do!
Jhané
Age: 29
From: North London
Job: Tech Program Manager
Jhané was raised in Islington and developed her love of food watching her mother, who enjoyed hosting dinner parties for friends and family.
She describes her cooking as flavourful and generous, using only the freshest ingredients and serving large portions.
She believes the most enjoyable meals are those filled with lively conversation and everyone eagerly going back for more. She aims for her food to be the highlight of any gathering, creating a fun and memorable atmosphere.
I don’t focus on fancy presentation when I cook. I prefer simple, flavorful food made with high heat, fresh herbs, and a generous amount of chilli.
Jhané hopes that MasterChef will give her a platform to turn her love of cooking into a career.
Matt
Age: 41
From: West Yorkshire
Job: IT Manager
Matt says he didn’t learn to cook until later in life, and he used to be a very picky eater as a child.
He discovered a love for cooking during the 2020 lockdown and has been happily trying out new recipes ever since.
Matt loves creating flavorful dishes by carefully combining simple ingredients to achieve something truly delicious. He wants to encourage others to get creative and do the same.
Cooking has become a really important hobby for me, and I decided to see just how good I could get. I think MasterChef is the ideal way to test my skills and push myself further, so I applied.
“It forces you out of your comfort zone and tests your creativity and technique.”
Rosdip
Age: 33
From: North Shields
Job: Digital Portfolio Manager
Rosdip originally grew up in Nepal and moved to the UK when he was 17. He’s a passionate cook whose dishes are inspired by his Nepalese roots and made with a lot of care.
He learned to cook tasty meals using just a few ingredients, thanks to his mum. His partner, Gregor, who is from Scotland, also inspired him by sharing new and exciting flavors.
His dream is to bring his Nepalese cuisine to a global stage.
He’s referring to the kind of home cooking passed down through families, remembered fondly but rarely written down in recipes.
I’m excited to share the delicious, authentic tastes of Nepal with the North-East community! I want to offer home-cooked Nepali dishes that bring back fond memories and deliver truly bold flavors, giving everyone a taste of my heritage.
Sabina
Age: 49
From: Greater London
Job: Environmental Consultant
Sabina was raised in Gulshan, Dhaka, but currently resides in London with her husband and their two teenage children.
She’s a passionate cook who treats her kitchen like a place for experimentation. She especially enjoys exploring flavors inspired by her Pakistani and Bangladeshi roots and loves trying out new recipes.
Sabina loves cooking with chillies, especially when she can balance the flavour with just the right amount of spice.
Sabina has tried out for MasterChef before – actually, 16 years ago! She had to stop filming then because she was pregnant, but she’s back to give it another shot.
She explained that she was expecting a baby around the time the movie was being filmed, and it simply didn’t work out. She said things became hectic, and she had to postpone her plans.
Sixteen years later, my children encouraged me to apply again. They’d watched me cook and create new recipes for years, and they kept telling me, ‘Mom, you really should!’
Their support felt like a fortunate surprise. They had unintentionally stopped me from trying before, and now their encouragement was giving me the confidence to try again.
Samantha
Age: 39
From: St. Albans
Job: Accounts Assistant
Samantha, who lives with her husband and two children, enjoys trying out different recipes and doesn’t stick to one specific way of cooking.
She developed a passion for cooking at a young age by helping her family prepare breakfast.
She explained that she’s been a big fan of the show since the very beginning, which is why she decided to participate.
I’ve always wanted to try this, and I applied a few times over the years. But then work and family kept me busy, so I decided that with my 40th birthday coming up, now was the time to finally do it. And here I am, doing it!
MasterChef returns on Tuesday 21 April at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Authors
Tilly Pearce is a freelance journalist who writes about television, covering everything from reality TV like Love Is Blind to science fiction series like Fallout. She’s a highly qualified journalist, holding NCTJ Gold Standard accreditation, and has experience working as a deputy editor at both Digital Spy and Daily Express US.
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2026-04-22 18:37