- Home
- TV
- Entertainment
- MasterChef: The Professionals start date and release schedule officially confirmed by BBC as new franchise episodes arrive
❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).
MasterChef: The Professionals start date and release schedule officially confirmed by BBC as new franchise episodes arrive
The professional kitchen contest returns to BBC One in November, with a familiar panel and a shuffled line-up.
BBC/Shine TV
- Katelyn Mensah
Published: Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 10:38 am
Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue
MasterChef: The Professionals is back for a new run, with the BBC confirming the first episodes of season 19 arrive on BBC One next month!
Ad
The new season kicks off on Tuesday 3 November at 8pm, followed by a second episode at Wednesday 4 November at 9pm, before a third instalment on Thursday 5 November at 8pm, all on BBC One and available on BBC iPlayer.
Episodes will air three times a week throughout the run, culminating in the grand finale on Friday 18 December at 8pm. Across the seven weeks, the weekly episodes will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer every Monday.
The new series lands less than a year after season 18, which aired on BBC One earlier this year in February across 21 episodes and marked a significant change behind the gantry. That run saw Matt Tebbutt join the line-up alongside returning judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti, stepping in to replace Gregg Wallace.
The new season will see Wareing and Galetti return as the judging duo, as they welcome some of the country's most ambitious and exciting culinary talent to battle it out for the coveted MasterChef: The Professionals trophy.
Marcus Wareing, Matt Tebutt and Monica Galetti. BBC/Shine TV
Tebutt confirmed back in March that he would not be returning as a judge and presenter on the new season of MasterChef: The Professionals, noting that he was "only ever doing one series".
In a post made to his Instagram, he said: "A lot of lovely people have contacted me about not doing the next series of MasterChef: The Professionals.
"I was only ever doing one series and I loved judging on it and will continue working with MasterChef."
A wide field of professional chefs is taking part in the competition, among them Abigail Smith, Aleandro Brown, Clara Lim, Dan Nunn, Ibraheem "Ibz" Umar, Morteza Nouri and Ruchi Mehrotra, drawn from restaurant kitchens across the UK.
Across a series of demanding challenges, the chefs will be tested on every aspect of their craft, from their precision and technique, through to their bold creativity, culinary know-how and their ability to perform under pressure.
MasterChef: The Professionals will be on BBC One at 8pm on Tuesday 3 November 2026 and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Add MasterChef: The Professionals to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Ad
Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more TV recommendations and reviews listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer
Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.
Ad
Ad
Get the Christmas double issue
Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...