The second series of MasterChef Goes Large starts Monday 23 January 2006 at 6.30pm on BBC Two.
Who will compete?
The competition was open to amateur cooks who wanted to change their lives and make cooking their career. The MasterChef TV team scoured the UK for contestants with the right combination of talent, ambition, drive and - most of all - passion for cooking, to test their mettle in the MasterChef kitchens.
There were applications from stockbrokers, pub landlords, hairdressers and estate agents. Slowly, the list of 4,000 wannabe MasterChefs was whittled down to a shortlist of 'auditionees'.
The MasterChef auditions were the real test of each person?s talent - and nerve. Would-be MasterChefs were asked to bring their best sample of cooking with them to the audition. Without cooking or re-heating facilities, the hopeful contestants had to use their imagination and common sense. From ceviches to quiches, there was a staggeringly eclectic array of foods.
The cream of the crop - a total of 132 people - were ultimately invited to take part in the filming of MasterChef.
About the programme
The new series runs every weekday for eight weeks on BBC Two at 6.30pm, starting on Monday 23 January and finishing on Friday 17 March.
In the first round of heats, six of the successful contestants face three high-pressure tests:
First, they have to invent a dish from scratch in 40 minutes, using only the ingredients they?ve been given.
Second, the three contestants who've shown the most potential will have to survive the heat of a professional kitchen. They will have to cook for over 150 people in Papageno, a busy restaurant in the heart of London's theatre district.
Finally, they will have to impress the judges by cooking a two-course meal that shows they have flair, skill and the potential to make it as a great chef.
Only one of the three will get through to that week?s quarter final - which takes place on the Friday - and one step closer to becoming MasterChef. There are five weeks of heats in total, with each quarter finalist winner goes through to the semi-finals in week seven of the series.
Week six sees an exciting twist when three of the best contestants from Series One return for a week of heats and a second bash at making it through to the semi-finals and ever closer to the coveted title of MasterChef.
The tension mounts during week seven as the remaining six contestants are put through their paces in the semi-finals. A dramatic knock-out sees two of the six sent home on the Monday, a third goes home on the Friday.
The series culminates in the increasingly tough week of finals. The remaining three contestants face gruelling pressure to prove themselves and their culinary ability if they are to win the life-changing title of MasterChef.
Taking part in future series
Watch this space for details on how you can apply to take part in future series of MasterChef. Currently applications are not being accepted, but as soon as they are we'll let you know here.
Take the MasterChef course
Find out if you've got what it takes to become a BBC MasterChef by completing the BBC MasterChef Online course Levels 1 and 2.
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