Season 18 of MasterChef: The Professionals is one of the most highly awaited seasons so far. It features a big change in the judging panel and also comes with an unusual shift in its regular broadcast schedule.
Series 18 of MasterChef: The Professionals is returning to the BBC with a change in its usual schedule and a refreshed judging team. Instead of airing in autumn, the new season will premiere in spring 2026. Matt Tebbutt, known for hosting Saturday Kitchen, joins Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti as a judge this time.
The BBC says the competition keeps getting tougher each year, and season 18 features 32 of the UK’s most ambitious chefs. There is already a lot of interest in Matt Tebbutt’s new role. Some Saturday Kitchen viewers are excited to see his friendly style on the panel, while others are wondering if he will bring the strict standards expected in a professional kitchen.
The first episode also welcomes back 2016 winner Gary Maclean, the first National Chef of Scotland. He sets the opening challenges, highlighting the show’s tradition of celebrating its successful past contestants.
Below, you can find all the key details about when season 18 begins, where you can stream it, and how to keep watching if you are travelling outside the UK.
How to watch MasterChef: The Professionals Season 18 Online from Anywhere
To stream MasterChef: The Professionals Season 18 Online from Anywhere, follow these steps:
- Subscribe to ExpressVPN.
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to the UK server.
- Open BBC iPlayer website and log in.
- Watch MasterChef: The Professionals Season 18 Online from Anywhere from anywhere.
Why is MasterChef: The Professionals Season 18 Unavailable outside the UK?
MasterChef: The Professionals Season 18 is unavailable outside the UK due to regional distribution rights and licensing agreements, which means viewers in places like the US cannot stream it directly on BBC iPlayer.
That’s where a VPN comes in. By connecting through ExpressVPN, you get a UK IP address, making it look like you’re browsing from the UK so BBC iPlayer loads normally. You also don’t need a paid TV subscription, just create a free BBC iPlayer account and start watching.
When does MasterChef: The Professionals Season 18 start?
Series 18 kicks off on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for series 18 on Tuesday, February 10. Viewers can tune in to see the first round of heats at 8pm. It’s worth noting in a change to the schedule, for the first week only, the third episode will air on the weekend.
- Episode one – Tuesday, February 10 at 8pm
- Episode two – Wednesday, February 11 at 8pm
- Episde three – Sunday, February 15 at 7pm
MasterChef: The Professionals Season 18 judges
Culinary legend Marcus Wareing and well known chef Monica Galetti are joined by Matt Tebbutt for the first time on MasterChef: The Professionals.
Matt has been a familiar face on television for many years. He has hosted Channel 4’s Food Unwrapped and ITV’s Save Money: Good Food alongside GMB’s Susanna Reid. However, most viewers know him best as the presenter of Saturday Kitchen on the BBC.
He was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, but grew up in south Wales after moving there as a baby. He later ran the well known Foxhunter restaurant in Monmouthshire. In 2016, he said he considered himself an “honorary Welshman”. He told the Great British Food Awards at the time:
“Its my adopted country and a beautiful place to live. The produce is brilliant, but people have been bad at spreading the word. The Welsh must be very modest, because when you go elsewhere you’ll know you’re in an area of good food as people will be shouting and raving about it.”
Talking about joining the show, Matt said: “It’s been a joy. I’ve loved every minute and these two [Marcus and Monica] next to me have been so supportive. I’ve become so invested in the chefs and their progress and how they’ve changed throughout the series.”
Monica shared: “We’ve been so excited about the new studio! And we’re always so ready to see the new chefs walk through that door. Getting back together with all the crew again, who are like family, is great. And then there was a new face joining us – Matt. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Marcus added: “It feels like a new era in a way. As you say, Monica, it’s a new studio, new location, new judge. It’s been lovely in so many ways. Everyone being in a new city and studio, the energy in the studio reminded me of when we came back from lockdown and we were back on set and everyone was just buzzing to be there.”
MasterChef: The Professionals Season 18 Contestants
Over the next seven weeks, professional chefs hailing from all over the country – from Edinburgh to Exmouth, North Yorkshire to Norfolk, Glasgow to Greenwich, Birmingham to Bristol, and Somerset to Shropshire – will be tested on many levels. There will be 32 chefs in total, each of which will introduced to viewers over a series of heats.
Episode one will welcome Chef de Cuisine Emma, who grew up in New Zealand and was inspired by her grandmother, as well as Ismail, who works as a Head Chef at independent gastro pub, The Stag, in Hampstead.
They are joined by Private Chef Mario, originally from Seville, Spain, and Terry from Wirral who is currently the Head Chef at The Tickled Trout Inn in Yorkshire.
Why was the Series delayed?
Traditionally an autumn show airing in November and December, Series 18 was pushed back to spring 2026 due to scheduling changes and internal investigations at the BBC. That means there was no “Professionals” series at all in 2025.
Why is Gregg Wallace not in this series?
Gregg Wallace was removed from the “MasterChef” franchise following a BBC investigation that upheld multiple allegations of historical misconduct. The broadcaster has since cut ties with the presenter, and Matt Tebbutt has stepped into his role on the “Professionals” spin-off.
