Masterchef

Image: Winner, Joan Bunting, Sir Roy Strong, Lloyd Grossman, Anton Mosimann.

The first episode of MasterChef - The British Grand Prix for Amateur Chefs - aired on 2 July 1990. Three cooks had two and a half hours and £30 to prepare a three-course meal - with scallops and syllabub both popular menu choices. The results were judged by host Loyd Grossman and guests Richard Shepherd and Michael Caine. Brian Glover won and made it all the way to the final of the first series, but was beaten by Joan Bunting. The original MasterChef ended after 11 years, but returned in 2005, since which time it has gone from strength to strength.

The relaunched programme was known as MasterChef Goes Large and presented by John Torode and Gregg Wallace. It had a different feel inspired by the growth of reality television, with India Fisher’s voiceover and a prominent soundtrack adding drama. The 2005 series was won by Thomasina Miers. Several of the amateurs featured over the years have gone on to have professional careers.

The success of MasterChef - it reverted to its original name in 2008 - has led to several spin-offs. First came Junior MasterChef, then Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals. The appetite for entertaining cookery shows on the BBC led to the creation of The Great British Bake Off. MasterChef itself has been a hit all around the world.