The personality is on the plate and the food is the star of the show. Network Ten's smash hit series MasterChef returns tonight and promises to excite, thrill and entertain like never before!

The top 50 amateur cooks will compete in the first Mystery Box challenge of the season; the judges select the top 12 who then have the opportunity to cook off in a nail-biting challenge.

The top 12 contestants from last night's Mystery Box are divided into pairs to forage for their own ingredients at various farms in Mornington Peninsula to cook a sweet or savoury dish.

MasterChef mentor Matt Moran arrives at the Royal Exhibition Building to put the contestants through their knife skills paces. They must fillet, pin bone and cook a beautiful piece of salmon.

Thirty three contestants compete in a Sweet Pressure Test created by superstar chef Shannon Bennett. With six more aprons up for grabs, his Peach Melba dessert is a challenge to say the least!

The top 18 contestants head to Daylesford for a MasterClass. Later, Matt Moran and George teach the contestants some classic French cooking techniques.

After a long week of hard fought challenges the remaining twelve contestants compete in a French Pressure test to claim the last remaining spots in the Top 24. But whose dish will earn them an apron?

Arriving at the MasterChef kitchen, the top 24 quickly learn it's 'Mystery Box' time! They raise the lid but it's not food that they find.

The Immunity Challenge sees the winner of the Pressure Test try and 'Beat the Chef!' It's a battle royale as our contestant takes on superstar chef Dan Hong from the Lotus Restaurant.

Ever dreamed of running your own restaurant? The contestants are divided into two teams: they must take over a restaurant service in opposing restaurants in Sydney's Kings Cross.

The losing team head to the MasterChef kitchen for the first elimination challenge of the season. It's all about pasta and the contestants are challenged to either 'make or break' that pasta.

Gary and George host a seafood-inspired MasterClass, while Phillipa Grogan from Phillipa's bakery in Melbourne teaches the contestants the art of breadmaking.

This Mystery Box is a cracker - literally. Then later, the winner of this challenge gets to pick the key ingredient for the following Invention Test.

Superstar chef Peter Gilmore returns with an eight layer textured chocolate cake. Talk about Pressure Test! The bottom three from the Invention Test must replicate this cake.

The lucky winner from the Invention Test returns to the kitchen tonight to face off against former head chef of Tetsuya restaurant, Darren Roberston.

The top 22 contestants head to Sydney's Chinese Gardens to compete in a yum cha challenge. Divided into teams, they must plan a menu, shop and cook a tasty yum cha feast.

Yesterday's losing 11 contestants compete in tonight's elimination challenge. It's a taste test and cook off so this challenge is tough! After a hard fought fight one contestant is sent home.

It's a mega MasterClass tonight as Gary and Matt Moran teach the top 21 contestants about raw foods, herbs, and oils. Later Gary whips up a mushroom gnocchi and his 'Mum's Lamb Stew with Dumplings'.

The remaining 21 contestants return to the MasterChef kitchen to compete in a biscuit inspired Mystery Box challenge. Later it's an Invention Test Mexican style. Cactus anyone?

The bottom three contestants from the last show arrive at the kitchen to face off in the Pressure Test. Later, three lucky contestants attend a very special private Master Class.

Sake head chef Shaun Presland takes on the winner of Sunday's Invention Test in a Raw Food Immunity Challenge. With no cooking, no heat and no gas bench tops they need to be super creative.

The contestants split into two teams to cook for a restaurant full of discerning diners, all with leftover ingredients collected from top Sydney restaurants.

We say goodbye to another contestant after a hard fought poultry elimination challenge. They must name that bird then cook that bird. Quail, duck, chicken and turkey are served up.

Gary kicks off the MasterClass with mouth-watering barbecue chicken and is later joined by special guest chef Jason Jones who teaches the contestants how to serve up the perfect Mexican feast.

19 contestants arrive at the MasterChef Kitchen for a flavour matching 'Mystery Box' challenge. With everyone eager to impress the judges, one contestant pushes himself too far and burns his hand.