大象传媒

MasterChef is back for its eleventh year with more fantastically talented amateur cooks who want to take a shot at the coveted MasterChef Champion title. Out of the hundreds that auditioned, forty amateur cooks are through to battle it out over four weeks of heats, producing some of the most inspiring, exceptional, unusual and disastrous food ever seen on the series.

Tonight, the first five amateur cooks try to prove to Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace that they have the potential to be the 2015 MasterChef Champion.

Firstly, the contestants are given just one hour and fifteen minutes to dazzle the judges when they are asked to cook their calling card, a practised dish that represents just who they are as a cook and showcases their talent. After tasting all five dishes, John and Gregg, without telling each other, each pick their favourite dish. If they both choose the same dish then they will select their second preference. The two lucky cooks will be safe - for now - and sail straight through to the third test.

The remaining three contestants must cook again in a twist on the infamous invention test - the reinvention test. The hopefuls are given the main ingredient from their calling card dish, as well as access to the larder. Using that same ingredient, they must reinvent the dish to create a brand new plate of food that will sway the judges and earn them a place in the next round. They have one hour and fifteen minutes to cook a dish good enough to keep them in the competition. The stakes are high - it's the end of the road for one person after this cook-off, as one of the amateurs will be sent home.

The four remaining cooks now have one more challenge standing between them and a quarter-final place. To earn their place they have to cook an impressive menu that will excite not just John and Gregg but also some very special guests. Once again, some of the competition's most inspiring winners and finalists return to judge the food of this year's new contenders to the throne.

In tonight's heat the contestants must attempt to impress three MasterChef Champions - 2009 champion Mat Follas, 2010 champion Dhruv Baker and 2012 champion Shelina Permalloo are back to give their verdict.

After the four hopefuls have cooked, John and Gregg will decide which two will take the next step in the competition and go through to Friday's quarter-final.

In a competition where only the food matters, these amateurs will need to be good to survive - taking their first step towards being crowned MasterChef Champion 2015.