MasterChef 2022: Start date, time, judges and latest news

The seven-week journey reaches a head tonight with the finalists producing the "best three dishes of their lives" to prove they are exceptionally talented chefs – but only one of them can join that lost list of MasterChef winners.

Read on for everything you need to know about MasterChef 2022, including what time the final starts.

What time is MasterChef on tonight?

MasterChef airs its final tonight (Thursday 5th May) at 8pm on BBC One.

MasterChef 2022 start date

MasterChef 2022 returned to BBC One and iPlayer on Wednesday 23rd March.

MasterChef's official Twitter account announced the news, sharing a photo of Torode and fellow judge Gregg Wallace looking suited and booted.

MasterChef 2022 contestants

There were 45 MasterChef 2022 contestants to begin with. They competed in five heats of nine contestants, before being whittled down for the semi-finals and final.

Here are the chefs who made it all the way to the final:

• Eddie (30) – marine pilot
• Pookie (45) – beauty salon owner
• Radha (23) – law graduate

Who are the judges on MasterChef?

We're sure these long-standing judges need no introduction, but here's a refresher on the MasterChef hosts all the same.

Gregg Wallace

Gregg Wallace started out as a greengrocer in Covent Garden, eventually expanding into the successful George Allan’s Greengrocers.

He presented the first series of Saturday Kitchen in 2002, and is now the long-running presenter of MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.

John Torode

Straight-talking Australian chef John Torode is credited with helping introduce Australasian food to the UK in the 1990s, and opened restaurants The Luxe and Smiths of Smithfield in London.

He has presented MasterChef and Celebrity MasterChef since 2005, hosts John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen alongside Lisa Faulkner – his wife – and also makes the occasional appearance on This Morning.

Who won MasterChef 2021?

Last year, 31-year-old Tom Rhodes beat fellow finalists Mike Tomkins and Alexina Anatole to win the coveted Masterchef 2021 title.

Speaking about his win, Tom said: "Being this year’s MasterChef Champion, after watching and admiring so many past Champions, seems like a dream come true. I’m grateful that I met, got to know and cook alongside some of the most wonderful and talented people, and have found friends for life in them.

"I'll also never forget and can’t be more thankful to all the friendly, hardworking, fantastic people, that make MasterChef such a special show. I feel this is just the start, and I’m excited for what comes next."

Who narrates MasterChef?

MasterChef knows not to mess with its winning formula. As well as keeping on judges Torode and Wallace, British actress India Fisher has been with the show as its narrator since it was revived in 2005.

Fisher is best known for her voice work in audio dramas including BBC Radio 4’s Elephants to Catch Eels, Ghosts of Albion, and Big Finish's Doctor Who series. She has also appeared on-screen in Dead Ringers, Peep Show and CBBC’s The Dumping Ground.

How to apply for MasterChef

Hopefuls can apply by filling out the application form on the MasterChef UK website. Applicants must be over the age of 18 and must never have worked as a full-time chef.

Applications for season 19 are now open, so if you think you have what it takes, why not give it a try!

Looking for something else to watch? Visit our TV Guide. Also visit our hub for more Entertainment news.

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.