MASTERCHEF TO AIR TWO SPECIALS OVER FESTIVE SEASON

Deck the halls, stuff the turkey and break out the Christmas fizz, as MasterChef judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode welcome back four of the most memorable celebrities from past series.

Battling to take home the ultimate Christmas present - the coveted Golden Whisk – are musician Mel Blatt, actor and comedian Richard Blackwood, singer Duncan James, and reality star Faye Winter.

Christmas sunshine is guaranteed as the celebrities must create a dish reflective of Australia during the festive season – each with a recipe to follow and a set of ingredients from their Secret Santa Mystery Box.

Tasting their dishes along with the judges is special guest - one of Australia’s greatest exports and national treasure - Peter Andre. The celebrities then must cook up their ultimate Christmas dinner. Expect fireworks and a sprinkling of fairy dust, as all four celebrities fight to sleigh the competition and be crowned Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Champion 2023.

For the first time in MasterChef history, after years of tasting and critiquing contestants’ dishes, the tables will be turned on five of the country’s top food critics.

In this special episode, the Restaurant Critics will be putting their own culinary reputations on the line as they battle for the title of MasterChef Critics Champion 2023. Competing are Grace Dent, Leyla Kazim, William Sitwell, Jay Rayner, and Jimi Famurewa, who will be pushed to the extreme in two demanding challenges cooking for judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace and then also returning champions Ping Coombes (MasterChef 2014), Kenny Tutt (MasterChef 2018) and Nikita Pathakji (MasterChef: The Professionals 2022).

Will the diners show them any leniency, or do they have scores to settle? Who will receive positive reviews and who will crumble at being critiqued? Only one critic will be crowned champion and take home the coveted Golden Cutlery trophy. It’s the ultimate showdown.

MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023 is made by Shine TV, part of Banijay (1 X 60) for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.