Overview of 'Celebrity Masterchef' Season 8

Episode 1 - Episode 1

Release Date: 2013-07-31

Ade Edmondson, John Thomson, Heidi Range, Shane Lynch, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Denise Black, Phillips Idowu, Speech Debelle, Brian Capron, Les Dennis, Matthew Hoggard, Katy Brand, Shappi Khorsandi, Joe Calzaghe, Jo Wood and Janet Street-Porter.

Episode 2 - Episode 2

Release Date: 2013-08-01

The celebrities take on their first challenge within a real restaurant, then back at MasterChef headquarters, they work as a team to create one main course and dessertand finally each mustprepare one dish of their own design.

Episode 3 - Episode 3

Release Date: 2013-08-02

The week's remaining contestants must cook a two-course meal, judged not only by John and Gregg, but also past Celebrity MasterChef champions.

Episode 4 - Episode 4

Release Date: 2013-08-07

This second heat week sees four more celebrities cross the threshold of the MasterChef kitchen, and in this episode they undertake three tough culinary challenges in a bid to prove themselves to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Battling for the MasterChef crown are actor and comedian John Thomson, triple jumper Phillips Idowu, actress Denise Black and actor and musician Ade Edmondson. The first challenge for the four hopefuls is a mystery box test, the test of imagination and creativity in which the celebrities are presented with a range of ingredients. Here they come face-to-face with a crocodile - with nerves running high and just 50 minutes to cook their dish, the celebrities must think on their feet and create something snappy to impress the judges. There is no time for complacency, as the contestants face their second challenge for the day - the fearsome and celebrated palate test. John demonstrates to the viewers at home how to cook pappardelle with Indian spiced meatballs. Without seeing the demo the celebrities are given just a few minutes to taste this dish, before being asked to write down exactly what it is in it, using their sense of smell, and palate. Then they are asked to recreate John's dish in just 50 minutes - without a recipe, using skill and palate alone. Finally they leave the relative safety of the MasterChef kitchen as they are thrown into the stressful world of mass catering. Working in pairs, with over 120 hungry students to feed at Kingston University, the celebrities will have to be on top of their game if they want to succeed. With ingredients including minced beef, chicken breast, pasta and a range of fruit and vegetables, the teams must prepare meat-based, vegetarian and dessert dishes that will satisfy the starving students. In the heat of the kitchen the celebrities need to rely on their teamwork skills just as much as their culinary ones to triumph.

Episode 5 - Episode 5

Release Date: 2013-08-08

The second batch of contestants face elimination day, with one celebrity cooking their final dishes for judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. The celebrities take on their first challenge within a real restaurant setting, preparing dishes for paying customers as they are sent in pairs to two London kitchens. Ade Edmondson and Phillips Idowu are sent to modern British restaurant The Swan, whilst Denise Black and John Thomson have to master the exacting standards of the contemporary Italian restaurant L'Anima. The celebrities in both kitchens soon learn that the pressure of a restaurant in full service has to be experienced to be believed. Then it's back to MasterChef headquarters as the celebs stay in their pairs and have to work as a team to create one main course and one dessert in one hour. They have a range of ingredients to choose from including guinea fowl, chestnuts and a pumpkin. For one team culinary harmony is reached very easily, but on the other side of the MasterChef kitchen battle lines are drawn and all hell breaks out. In a final test to ensure they cement their place in the competition, the contestants are asked to prepare one dish of their own design in just one hour. Drawing inspiration from their own backgrounds and relationships with food, the celebrities work furiously in a last attempt to prove themselves to the judges. The pressure is on in the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen, and at the end of the episode one celebrity will be going home.

Episode 6 - Episode 6

Release Date: 2013-08-09

The celebrity cooking competition continues with the second quarter-final, as the battle for a place in the final eight reaches its climax. The remaining contestants must cook a faultless two-course meal, judged not only by John and Gregg but also by two past Celebrity MasterChef champions in the shape of former England rugby captain Phil Vickery, who won in 2011, and reigning champion Emma Kennedy. They are also joined by 2010 finalist Christine Hamilton; all three know exactly what standards to expect. With their last chances to impress their way to the next round, emotions in the kitchen are running high and the pressure proves too much for some contestants. The celebrity guest judges deliver some frank and cutting responses to some dishes, but others fare much better in the firing line. Only the best can go through to the final eight and become a step closer to winning the title of Celebrity MasterChef 2013. For those who don't make the grade, the journey ends here.

Episode 7 - Episode 7

Release Date: 2013-08-14

The hunt continues in this third heat week as we welcome four new celebrities to the challenge. Trying to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace are Boyzone star Shane Lynch, actor Brian Capron, comedian Shappi Khorsandi and TV presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff. The first challenge is the infamous Mystery Box Test. Requiring technical skill and a creative flair, the celebrities must design their own unique dish from a range of mystery ingredients, including a whole saddle of goat. With only one hour to create their dish, they will have to think fast if they're to impress the judges. But there's no time for complacency, as the contestants face their second challenge for the day - the fearsome and celebrated Palate Test. John demonstrates to the viewers at home a deceptively simple tomato tart with herb salad. Without seeing the demo the celebrities are given just a few minutes to taste this dish, before being asked to write down exactly what is in it, using their sense of smell, and palate. Then they are asked to recreate John's dish in just 50 minutes - without a recipe. Finally, the four hopefuls leave the MasterChef kitchen for the first time as they are thrown straight into the highly pressured world of mass catering. With over 100 hungry students to feed at Goldsmiths College, the celebrities will have to be on top of their game. With ingredients including beef, pork, pasta, rice, and a range of fruit and vegetables, the teams must prepare meat-based, vegetarian and dessert dishes in just two and a half hours. In the heat of the kitchen, and with a college of hungry students descending upon them, the celebrities must rely on their teamwork skills more than ever to triumph.

Episode 8 - Episode 8

Release Date: 2013-08-15

As the heat continues, it's elimination day once again and one of the celebrities will be cooking their final dishes for judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. The celebrities face paying customers for the first time as they are sent to face lunch service in two London restaurants. Shane Lynch and Brian Capron are paired up and head to Angler, which specialises in seafood. Under the watchful eye of head chef Tony Fleming, Shane and Brian are thrown in at the deep end, as they struggle to cope with a busy service. Miranda and Shappi are sent to Criterion at Piccadilly Circus where the cracks soon begin to appear as they fight to keep on top of customer orders. Then, it's back to MasterChef headquarters as the celebs stay in their pairs and have to work as a team to create one main course and one dessert in one hour. They have a range of ingredients to choose from including whole rabbit, black pudding and blackberries, and they have to work together to deliver two dishes that will impress John Torode and Gregg Wallace. In a final test of culinary creativity, the contestants are asked to prepare one dish of their own design in one hour. Drawing inspiration from their own backgrounds and relationships with food, the celebrities work furiously in a last attempt to prove themselves to the judges. The pressure is on in the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen, and at the end of the episode one celebrity will be going home.

Episode 9 - Episode 9

Release Date: 2013-08-16

It's the quarter finals and the battle for a place in the final eight reaches its climax. The remaining celebrities must cook a faultless two-course meal, judged not only by John and Gregg but also by three previous Celebrity MasterChef champions in the shape of actress Lisa Faulkner (2010), former England Rugby captain Phil Vickery (2011) and current reigning champion Emma Kennedy (2012), who all know exactly what standards they expect. With their last chances to impress their way to the next round, emotions in the kitchen are running high and the pressure proves too much for some contestants. The celebrity judges deliver some frank and cutting responses to some dishes, but others fare much better in the firing line. Only the best can go through to the final eight and become a step closer to winning the title of Celebrity MasterChef 2013. For those who don't make the grade, the journey ends here.

Episode 10 - Episode 10

Release Date: 2013-08-21

The hunt for a champion continues as the final four celebrities are welcomed to the challenge. Trying to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace are sporting legends boxer Joe Calzaghe and cricketer Matthew Hoggard, Mercury Award winning rapper Speech Debelle and entertainer Les Dennis. The first challenge is a mystery box test. Requiring technical skill and a creative flair, the celebrities must design their own unique dish from a range of mystery ingredients including a whole squid. With only 50 minutes to create their dish, they will have to think fast if they're to impress the judges. In the fearsome palate test, John attempts to turn the celebrities into pastry chefs when he demonstrates, for viewers only, a spiced fig tart tatin with praline and orange and rose water cream. Without seeing the demo, the celebrities are given just a few minutes to taste this dish, before being asked to write down exactly what it is in it, using their sense of smell and palate. They are then asked to recreate John's dish in just 45 minutes - without a recipe, using skill and palate alone. Finally, the celebrities are sent into the terrifying world of mass catering, with a particularly hungry group of mouths to feed. The internationally renowned rugby union team Harlequins are in training for an important match and it is the celebrities' job to not only ensure that the team and support staff are fed on time, but also with food suitable for top sportsmen. It is a tough enough task as it is, but when the celebs find themselves one man down the challenge becomes even more daunting.

Episode 11 - Episode 11

Release Date: 2013-08-22

As the final heat week continues, it is elimination day once again, and someone will be cooking their final dishes for judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. The celebrities serve paying customers for the first time as they are sent to two London restaurants. Joe Calzaghe and Speech Debelle are sent to Spice Market, which specialises in dishes influenced by the street food of south east Asia. Joe discovers that a boxing ring is a walk in the park compared to a red-hot griddle. Matthew Hoggard and Les Dennis head to Boisdale in Canary Wharf - one of them takes to it like a duck to water, whereas the other is in danger of drowning under the number of orders. Back at MasterChef headquarters, they stay in their pairs and have to work as a team to create one main course and one dessert in one hour. They have a range of ingredients to choose from including shellfish, quails eggs and strawberries, and they have to work together to deliver two stand-out dishes. In a final test of culinary creativity, the contestants are asked to prepare a dish of their own design in an hour. Drawing inspiration from their own backgrounds and relationships with food, the celebrities work furiously in a last attempt to prove themselves to the judges.

Episode 12 - Episode 12

Release Date: 2013-08-23

The battle for a place in the final eight reaches its climax. The remaining celebrities must cook a faultless two-course meal, judged not only by John and Gregg but also by two past Celebrity MasterChef champions in the shape of former England Rugby captain Phil Vickery and current title holder Emma Kennedy, as well as previous finalist Andi Peters. All three know exactly what standards they expect. With their last chances to impress their way to the next round, emotions in the kitchen are running high and the pressure proves too much for some contestants. The celebrity judges deliver some frank and cutting responses to some dishes, but others fare much better in the firing line. Only the best can go through to the final eight and become a step closer to winning the title of Celebrity MasterChef 2013. For those who fail to make the grade, the journey ends here.

Episode 13 - Episode 13

Release Date: 2013-08-28

After four weeks of intense competition eight exceptional celebrity cooks are left to fight for their place in the semi-finals as they try to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace by cooking just one show-stopping dish in one and a half hours. Although it may seem like a simple task, a mistake in choice of dish or flavour combination could mean the end. They have to demonstrate a clear knowledge of their ingredients and showcase some of the skills they've learnt throughout the competition so far, but at the end of this challenge, two more celebrities will be going home. Then, the six who have made the grade take a trip back in time when they must cater for the soldiers in the War of the Roses. One hundred members of a battle re-enactment society stage a battle in the grounds of historic Warwick Castle. Working in two teams they must create mouth-watering meals from a selection of ingredients that would have been available in medieval times including rabbit, pike and quinces.

Episode 14 - Episode 14

Release Date: 2013-08-29

The semi-finals continue as the celebrities are given their their most daunting challenge yet and are thrown into the world of mass catering on an impressive scale. Gonville and Caius is the fourth oldest college in Cambridge University, and 150 students, parents and fellows will be attending the prestigious end of term dinner. Working in pairs, the celebrities are responsible for providing a three course dinner of the finest standard to befit the surroundings and the occasion whilst working quickly to get their dishes out on time. Back in the MasterChef kitchen, the celebrities are tasked with creating an exceptional dish inspired by someone close to them. They must impress John and Gregg by showing them that they can put passion into their dishes and have the heart and determination to remain in the competition. The greatest cooks in the world are able to show their emotion through their food - will the final six be able to do the same? For the one cook who does not make the grade, the competition will be over.

Episode 15 - Episode 15

Release Date: 2013-08-30

It is the last of the semi-finals. Sixteen celebrities started in the battle to be crowned 2013 champion but now only five remain and just one challenge stands between them and a place in the final. They must cook a dish for some of the country's most feared restaurant critics - Jay Rayner, Tracey MacLeod and Charles Campion. Serving food to these masters of the dining room is a daunting task for even the most adept of chefs. The celebrities' choice of dish is the only challenge that could secure them a place in the final week if they succeed, but will their ingredients, flavours and presentation be enough to impress? Or will they fall short of the mark and lose their chance to become the next Celebrity MasterChef champion? Not everyone can go through to the final and only the best cooks will still be in the running to earn the title of Celebrity MasterChef.

Episode 16 - Episode 16

Release Date: 2013-09-04

It's final week on Celebrity MasterChef and the contestants must take their food above and beyond as at the end of the week judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace will crown one of them champion. The celebrity finalists face two challenges that test their creativity and precision. Firstly they must master the art of the afternoon tea at Number One Aldwych, home to some of the capital's most highly crafted patisserie and renowned for its modern take on this most British of institutions. The celebrities each have to reproduce one sweet and one savoury item, delivering beautiful and tasty treats for the tea. The diners who will be enjoying the delights are a group of Pearly Kings and Queens, members of the London charitable tradition devoted to raising money for the capital's charities. The celebrities will have to produce excellence under pressure if they are to meet the standard expected. The celebs then return to the MasterChef kitchen to showcase their personal style and flair with pastry. They must produce two tarts and ice cream from scratch from a range of ingredients including fruit and berries, nuts, wines and liqueurs. They must impress John and Gregg with their own take on a classic dessert, as at the end one finalist must leave the competition for good.

Episode 17 - Episode 17

Release Date: 2013-09-05

It's the penultimate Celebrity MasterChef challenge. The remaining celebrities must now draw on everything that they have learned over the past few weeks and cook to the very highest of standards if they are to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Firstly they must replicate one of John's own dishes, "Rabbit Three Ways", a recipe that will test every aspect of their culinary repertoire, from butchery and roasting to making pasta and mastering a classic sauce. Then they face the toughest and most daunting test of the competition; The Chef's Table. Under the guidance of former MasterChef: The Professional's winner Steve Groves, the three finalists must deliver food of an exceptional standard and impress four Michelin starred chefs. Tension is high in the kitchen as the finalists battle to master new techniques, working with unfamiliar ingredients in highly complex dishes that require the most acute attention to detail. Can the celebrities hold their nerve or is the pressure to deliver too intense? Only one can be crowned Celebrity MasterChef Champion 2013.

Episode 18 - Celebrity MasterChef Final

Release Date: 2013-09-06

After six weeks of gruelling challenges, the three finalists are tasked with presenting a faultless three-course meal. They must prove to judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace they have what it takes to be crowned Celebrity MasterChef champion by demonstrating their passion and creativity with their dishes. Which of this year's finalists is the true cooking star, and who is worthy of a place in the Celebrity MasterChef hall of fame? Who will join the ranks of previous winners including Nadia Sawalha, Matt Dawson, Liz McClarnon, Jayne Middlemiss, Lisa Faulkner, Phil Vickery and Emma Kennedy? Only one competitor can be crowned Celebrity MasterChef 2013.