MasterChef the Professionals 2021 final: when is it on and who are the finalists - from Liam to Dan and Aaron

The MasterChef judges, Gregg Wallace, Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing, have whittled down the 32 competing chefs who were shortlisted for this year’s series, to just six.

Across several weeks of rising temperatures in the kitchen, an all-male lineup have been cemented as the finalists and will compete across three nights to win the coveted title.

The finalists come from a range of culinary backgrounds, from cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants to the former head chef of Sir Richard Branson.

So, who are the finalists and when is the MasterChef the Professionals 2021 finals on TV? This is what you need to know.

Who are the MasterChef 2021 finalists?

Liam Rogers

Liam has worked at two Michelin star restaurants, Andrew Fairlie at the Gleneagles Hotel and Restaurant Sat Bains.

At just 24 years old, he has a decade of restaurant experience under his belt and admitted he had dreamed of being a chef since a young age as his father owned a restaurant when he was young.

Raised in Warrington, his first role was supporting his parents in their restaurant business as a teenager, but he is now passionate about fine dining.

Dan Lee

Dan, 28, has travelled in an exploration of his love of food - including working in Michelin-starred celebrity restaurant Table65 in Singapore.

His Instagram is littered with pictures from all over the world, including the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

He grew up in Birmingham, where food plays an important role in the coming together of communities and diverse cultures.

He used to cook at Michelin-starred celebrity restaurant Table65 in Singapore.

It is his upbringing and travels which have inspired him to specialise in European and Asian cuisine, now working as a private chef.

He told the BBC: “You can focus more on your own style when you’re a private chef but obviously you miss interacting with other chefs in the kitchen.”.

Aaron Middleton

Aaron is one of the most experienced chefs in the competition, having taken on roles in kitchens since he left school at 16 years old.

He has led the kitchen at Sir Richard Branson’s residence in the British Virgin Islands, but now works privately.

Aaron’s career got off to a promising start, taking on an apprenticeship under chef Steven Bulmer at Brook Hall Cookery School in Winslow at the age of 16.

Within a year, he had moved to work under Raymond Blanc and Gary Jones in the kitchens of the two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and then onto London’s The Ledbury, where he served under chef Brett Graham.

It was here that he was headhunter for a senior role at chef Ollie Dabbous’ Hide, and then working for billionaire Sir Branson.

Ryan Baker

26-year-old Ryan is a confident chef who has been shortlisted for a number of awards.

He currently works at a French brasserie in central London, which also appears in the Michelin Guide.

He competed for the 2021 Roux Scholarship, the industry’s most acclaimed chef competition in the UK which aims to find budding young talent.

While he didn’t win, he has also come second in the Young Chef Young Waiters competition in 2019 for the category of Young Chef, showing a promising start to his career.

Matt Willdigg

Matt is a self starter who entered the industry at 16 years old and now co-owns his own catering company, Foray Catering, which nurtures his passion for wild ingredients.

He also works as a sous chef in a boutique hotel, on the border of Lancashire.

His first paid employment was in  two Michelin starred restaurant called Hibiscus, which has since closed and he then went on to work at other Michelin starred restaurants.

He then met business partner, Oli Martin, while working at Sydney’s 2 Hat Gastro Park, and the pair worked in numerous restaurants together before starting Foray catering.

Daniel Marreiros

Portuguese chef Daniel came to London in 2015 and is currently head chef at Volta do Mar on Tavistock Street in Covent Garden.

The 28-year-old runs the kitchen which was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2021.

The cuisine at Volta do Mar plays to his heritage and strengths, as it is a celebration of Portuguese cuisine and its relationship with South America, Africa and Asia.

Prior to heading up the kitchen, he also worked there as a sous chef.

When is the MasterChef The Professional 2021 finals on TV?

The finals kicked off on Tuesday 14 December on BBC One at 8pm.

The three-part finals continue on Wednesday 15 December and conclude on Thursday 16 December at 9pm.

All episodes are available shortly after broadcast on BBC iPlayer.