MasterChef 2018

The competitive cooking show, MasterChef, was back on our screens on 26th February. Now in its 14th series, the popular programme features a handful of hopeful contestants battling it out in a variety of heats and rounds to impress the judges with their culinary skills, and, ultimately, be crowned the MasterChef 2018 winner.

MasterChef is no newcomer to our screens. In fact, it was first aired in the UK in 1990. However, the format hasn't stood still over the years.

In the original series created by Franc Roddam, host Lloyd Grossman was joined by a guest and a celebrity judge to scrutinise the culinary attempts of three contestants over nine heats, three semi-finals and a final.

The show was transformed in 2001, when Chef Gary Rhodes took over as presenter, judging contestants who had to rustle up dishes in 90 minutes. This format didn't go down well with viewers, and it didn't extend beyond a single series.

MasterChef was revamped yet again in 2005, initially taking the name MasterChef Goes Large, but reverting back to MasterChef come 2008. Presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace became the new faces of the show -they remain at the helm to this day. Amateur chefs are still put through their paces via a series of cooking heats and rounds, culminating with a series winner.

Since this last revamp, MasterChef has enjoyed strong audience ratings. It's broadcast in over 40 other countries and in Australia, it's the most popular TV programme.

MasterChef has also produced three spin-off programmes, namely MasterChef: The Professionals (aimed at working chefs), Celebrity MasterChef (where famous names compete) and Junior MasterChef (geared towards 9-12-year olds). MasterChef Live is also held annually in London over three days.

Being crowned the winner is the ultimate goal for every contestant on the show, and many past winners have gone on to enjoy a successful culinary career.

Thomasina Miers, winner of series one, went on to establish the well-known restaurant chain, Wahaca, and has presented cookery shows on TV.

The winner of 2015, Simon Wood, is a regular feature at food festivals and contributes recipe tips to Lancashire Life.

Breast cancer survivor Jane Devonshire was crowned the MasterChef 2016 winner and has since done a stint at Michelin-starred Le Gavroche, as well as setting up her own culinary website.

Many previous winners have gone on to write their own cookery books, including Thomasina Miers, Mat Follas (2009 winner), Dhruv Baker (2010 winner), Tim Anderson (2011 winner), Natalie Coleman (2013 winner), Ping Coombes (2014 winner) and Simon Wood.

Last year's winner, Salia Mahmood-Ahmed, is still deciding which way to take her new-found culinary career, but as a full-time doctor, she doesn't have any immediate plans to give up her career in medicine.

If you're interested in cooking, whether as an amateur or a professional, you'll know just how important it is to store food carefully.  Solent Plastics provides a wide range of food grade plastic products -so you can store your ingredients AND the finished masterpiece!