MasterChef has been on our TV screens for almost three decades and some of the contestants have gone on to do some amazing things after the show.
The BBC One show, which sees amateur chefs cook for judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace, returned this week for its seventeenth series.
For the next few weeks contestants will be trying to win over the judges with their dishes in a bid to earn a MasterChef apron and secure their place in the next round.
Although there is no cash prize for winning MasterChef, it provides a huge platform for winners to start their careers as professional chefs.
Here are all the winners of the modern show and what they have done since appearing on MasterChef:
Series 1 – Thomasina Miers
Thomasina Miers, born in Cheltenham, won the very first series of the current MasterChef format in 2005.
Before she appeared on the show she studied at Ballymaloe Cookery School and was a freelance cook and writer.
During the show, Thomasina became known for her bold and eccentric cooking style and went on to make several TV shows and cook books after her stint on MasterChef.
Thomasina has also opened her own chain of restaurants – Wahaca – and in 2019 was awarded an OBE for services to the food industry.
Series 2 – Peter Bayless
After 40 years in the same job, Peter Bayless decided to change his life and applied for MasterChef in 2006. He ended up winning the series and has worked as a full-time chef ever since.
Peter has worked as an independent chef in both the UK and France since his big win, he cooks for private functions, from small gatherings to groups of more than 200 diners.
Peter has also released a book, and often teaches cookery at schools.
Series 3 – Steven Wallis
Series three of MaterChef in 2007 was won by Steven Wallis.
After he won the show he chose to travel the world and learn more about cuisine while blogging his experiences.
Since he travelled the world he has been working as a writer, private chef and flavour consultant, and has worked with Sainsbury’s, Rachel’s Organic and The Co-operative.
Series 4 – James Nathan
James Nathan was crowned the MasterChef winner in 2008, after impressing judges with his skills in preparing seafood and game dishes.
He was able to quit his job after the show and had a number of head chef posts, including at the St Enodoc Hotel in Cornwall, and Bristol Lido.
More recently, between 2013 and 2016 James ran his own restaurant, The Green Room, at The Retallack Resort near Padstow, Cornwall.
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Series 5 – Mat Follas
Mat Follas won MasterChef in 2009 and has had a very successful career since.
After his win, he went on to open his very own restaurant called The Wild Garlic which was recommended in The Good Food Guide and The Michelin guide.
Mat has also previously owned Bramble Cafe & Deli in Poundbury, Dorset, which has now been sold, and has a brand new adventure coming.
When Mat isn’t returning to MasterChef as a guest judge he regularly teaches cookery and foraging and has even published two books.
Series 6 – Dhruv Baker
After his win in 2010, Dhruv Baker has had a number of roles in the world of food.
He has made his dream come true and worked in some of the UK’s finest kitchens, including Le Gavroche, The Kitchin and Helene Darroze at the Connaught.
Dhruv has also presented on Waitrose TV and written for several publications as well as written his own book and opened a gastro pub ‘The Opened Jolly Gardeners’.
Series 7 – Tim Anderson
Tim Anderson won MasterChef in 2011 and has since worked as a freelance chef, food writer and consultant.
Since being crowned the winner of MasterChef Tim has worked with some huge brands including Google and Unilever, and has hosted shows at a number of food festivals and events across the UK.
Tim is a regular guest on Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube and Drinks Tube, and the Radio 4 food panel show The Kitchen Cabinet.
Since his MasterChef win, Tim has also released a book, Nanban: Japanese Soul Food and opened a restaurant in the same name.
Series 8 – Shelina Permalloo
Shelina Permalloo won MasterChef in 2012 and has publicly said the experience changed her life.
Since being on the show she has worked in several large restaurants, run a large number of private dining events and published two very successful books.
Series 9 – Natalie Coleman
Natalie Coleman won series nine of MasterChef in 2013.
Since then she has worked in a huge number of big named restaurants including Le Gavroche (Michel Roux Jr), Viajante (Nuno Mendes), St Johns (Fergus Henderson), The Kitchin (Tom Kitchen), L’enclume (Simon Rogan), The Berkeley Hotel (Marcus Wareing), Midsummer House (Daniel Clifford) and The Hand & Flowers (Tom Kerridge).
She currently works at Hello Darling in Waterloo.
Series 10 – Ping Coombes
A decade into the modern format of MasterChef saw the win of Ping Coombes.
Ping’s food is heavily influenced by being born and raised in the town of Ipoh in Malaysia, where she learnt lots of traditional cookery methods.
Ping is now a Malaysia Kitchen Ambassador, promoting Malaysian food around the UK and abroad.
She has appeared at many food festivals and events and also is the culinary partner for Scott Dunn, a premium travel operator in designing their winter and summer menus, and trains their chefs.
Ping is also the Executive Chef to Chi Kitchen and regularly hosts pop-up restaurants in-between appearing on shows such as Saturday Kitchen and This Morning.
Series 11 – Simon Wood
After winning MasterChef in 2015 Simon Wood went on to specialise in fine dining, the art of plating, and teaching.
Since MasterChef he has been appointed as executive chef of Oldham Event Centre part of Oldham Athletic Football Club, and has released his own book.
Series 12 – Jane Devonshire
Jane Devonshire has presented a number of cookery shows since she won MasterChef in 2016.
She has also written her own cookbook, ‘Hassle Free Gluten Free’ full of meal ideas that don’t include gluten.
Away from the kitchen, Jane does a lot of work with cancer charities after getting the all clear following a 10-year cancer battle.
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Series 13 – Saliha Mahmood Ahmed
Hertfordshire’s own Doctor Saliha Mahmood Ahmed won MasterChef in 2017.
After becoming champion, she continued working as a doctor and was successful in her dreams to work in gastroenterology at Watford hospital.
Away from her day job her love of cooking has continued and she has hosted a number of cookery classes and even released two books, ‘Foodology’ and ‘Khazana’
Series 14 – Kenny Tutt
Kenny Tutt won MasterChef in 2018 and quit his job as a banker to become a professional chef.
Kenny now offers private dining as well as hosting live cookery shows at food events and festivals.
He has also opened his own food truck in Worthing serving food such as steak rolls, wood fired chicken and much more.
Series 15 – Irini Tzortzoglou
Irini Tzortzoglou took the MasterChef crown in 2019, in the show’s first ever all female final.
Irini stood out on the show for her unique cooking style that is highly influenced by her upbringing in Crete.
In 2020, Irini’s first book, Under the Olive Tree: Recipes from my Greek Kitchen, was released.
Series 16 – Thomas Frake
Last year’s series of MasterChef was won by Thomas Frake.
Thomas, from Kent, hasn’t had the same year that most winners get, because of the pandemic. However, he has been announced as a guest at Fantastic Food Festivals for 2021.
Thomas has also had a number of TV appearances and has already featured on this year’s MasterChef as a guest judge.