In this opening heat, six professional chefs from all over the country arrive at the MasterChef kitchen and put their reputations on the line, to stake their claim to the coveted title. The chefs face two daunting challenges - at the end of which, three chefs are sent home and the strongest three go through to this week's quarter-final.

In this first quarter final, the six strongest chefs from the first two heats attempt to impress Monica and Marcus in two high-stakes challenges. First up the chefs face a brand-new challenge - the Judges' Favourite Ingredient Test. The six chefs are challenged to invent a dish centred around one key ingredient. This week Monica has selected coconut - an all-time favourite of hers, so the chefs will be under pressure to use it to best effect in their cooking. With a whole range of ingredients to choose from the six chefs must deliver a plate of food that displays their own unique take on how to highlight this versatile flavour, whilst also maintaining perfect balance. With 10 minutes to select the ingredients and 70 minutes to cook, there's a lot riding on this plate. Only the four strongest chefs will go on to the next challenge, to cook for the restaurant critics, for two chefs it's the end of the competition.