Heat eight sees four more professional chefs from around the country attempt to make their mark in the MasterChef kitchen and stake their claim to the coveted title. Only the two strongest performers will go through to this week's quarter-final.

First they face the Skills Test under the watchful eyes of all three judges. Two chefs face the first test, set by Marcus Wareing. They must demonstrate classical technique and precise fish preparation skills as they prepare and cook squid with a herb vinaigrette on toast with a red wine sauce. The other two chefs take on Monica's pastry test. They need to make a coffee caramel poached pear served with a smooth praline cream and a muscovado crumb. Will they crumble under the pressure?

Then the four chefs return to the kitchen to cook their Signature Dishes. They have one hour and 30 minutes to deliver a main and a dessert good enough to cement their place in the competition. The two who fail to impress will be sent home.

After four weeks of intense competition, the nine strongest and most talented chefs return to the MasterChef kitchen for the semi-final round. They are set the challenge of creating a dish based around their favourite food memory. They have one hour and 15 minutes to produce a knockout dish supported by a culinary story inspired by wonderful times. With emotions running high in the kitchen, at the end of the challenge only the four strongest chefs will go straight through to the next stage of the semi-final.

The five weaker chefs must return to the kitchen for a cook-off, where they must pull out all the stops to save their place in the competition. Their last chance to impress the judges is an invention test using the leftovers and trimmings from the previous challenge. In one hour and 30 minutes, these chefs must demonstrate creativity, skill and quick thinking to deliver a delicious dish that elevates leftovers to new heights.

The strongest four will join the four from the previous challenge and continue their pursuit of the 2021 trophy.