Cooking with the Stars is a UK-based reality cooking programme featuring celebrities, where eight well-known individuals are teamed up with professional chef mentors to learn how to prepare dishes of restaurant quality. The format revolves around a ‘cooking battle’, with contestants facing off in various challenges and blind tastings to remain in the competition. This article will explore the show’s background, its hosts, the judges, and the winners.
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Format | Reality cooking show (Celebrity Cooking) |
| Broadcast | ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player |
| Production | South Shore Productions |
| Sponsor | M&S Food (Marks & Spencer) |
| Premiere | 13 July 2021 |
| Hosts | Emma Willis , Tom Allen |
| Number of seasons | 5 ( 2021–2025 ) |
| Filming location | Pinewood Studios |
| Episode duration | 60 minutes |
Overview of the show
Celebrity cooking competitions showcase well-known figures: actors, comedians, athletes, and TV hosts. They collaborate with professional chefs and vie for the distinction of being the top star in the culinary arena. Each season comprises multiple episodes in which contestants acquire cooking skills, engage in ‘culinary battles,’ and face rigorous challenges, including the blind tasting of their dishes.
Background of the programme
The Celebrity Chefs television programme is broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player. This initiative is produced by South Shore Productions, with financial backing from the British retailer M&S Food (Marks & Spencer). The inaugural episode was released in 2021.
In the show, eight celebrities were matched with professional chefs who served as their mentors and evaluators. Since its debut, the programme has returned annually featuring new contestants and culinary experts, showcasing the progress the stars make in enhancing their cooking abilities.
Structure
Each iteration of the culinary programme follows a distinct structure: eight celebrities are instructed in cooking by professional chefs. Teams are created, pairing a celebrity with a chef, who then engage in culinary contests, crafting various dishes and receiving scores.
Contestants have access to the ‘Golden Frying Pan’ — a unique bell that permits the mentor to step in for 2 minutes. The pairs that do not succeed must create a different dish independently during the ‘Cook-Off’ phase, where their creations are judged through blind tasting (the chefs are unaware of who made which dish). The victor of the cooking competition is the participant who has shown the most significant achievement and the finest results by the conclusion of the season.
Executive chefs
The programme Cook with the Stars showcases professional chefs who serve not just as mentors but also as judges. Esteemed experts in the culinary field have participated in this initiative.
| Name | Season |
|---|---|
| Nisha Katona | Season 1 |
| Rosemary Shrager | Seasons 1–4+ (present since the first season) |
| Jack Stein | Several seasons (including seasons 3 and 4) |
| Jean-Christophe Novelli | Season 3 |
| Michael Caines | Seasons 3, 4 |
| Shelina Permalloo | Seasons 3, 4 |
| April Jackson | Seasons 3, 4 |
| Ellis Barrie | Seasons 3 |
| Michael O’Hare | Seasons 4 |
| Tony Singh | Seasons 3, 4 |
| Poppy O’Toole | Season 4 |
Numerous chefs involved are celebrated professionals with backgrounds in Michelin-starred establishments or regular features on cooking shows beyond this programme. For instance, Jack Stein is a prominent chef and the offspring of the illustrious Rick Stein, who is known for his own culinary shows and restaurants. In one of the seasons, Nisha Katona was featured as a professional mentor, and her mentee Harry Judd emerged victorious in the competition.
Presenters
The presenters of Cooking with Stars are Emma Willis and comedian Tom Allen. They guide both the audience and contestants through the various challenges, provide commentary on the events, establish the mood for the show, and facilitate the transitions between different segments of the competition. This duo has collaborated since the inaugural season and remains the prominent faces of the programme to this day.
Emma Willis has also been involved with Big Brother and other television shows.
Participants
The lineup of Celebrity Cook featured a variety of intriguing personalities who warrant particular mention. These individuals made a significant impact on the audience.
| Name | Season | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| AJ Odudu | Season 1 (2021) | A television presenter who frequently appears on reality shows such as Celebrity Big Brother , but with no experience in cooking, she struggled with the challenges but won over the public with her humour and persistence. |
| Shirley Ballas | Season 1 (2021) | A famous judge on Strictly Come Dancing , she entered the show as a figure from the world of dance, which added to the drama |
| Johnny Vegas | Season 1 (2021) | Comedian and actor; remembered for his funny comments and criticism of his culinary attempts |
| Griff Rhys Jones | Season 1 (2021) | Comedian and TV presenter; brought British humour to the show and demonstrated a creative approach to the tasks |
| Anton Du Beke | Season 2 (2022) | Professional dancer, star of Strictly Come Dancing; tried his hand at cooking, even though he was not a pro |
| Maura Higgins | Season 2 (2022) | Star of Love Island; her attempts at cooking attracted public attention against the backdrop of the reality show’s popularity |
| Dame Kelly Holmes | Season 2 (2022) | Olympic track and field athlete; surprised viewers with her approach to cooking and nutrition, as well as her discipline |
| Joe Wilkinson | Season 2 (2022) | Comedian; distinguished himself with self-deprecating humour and amusing moments in the kitchen |
| Matt Willis | Season 3 (2023) | Musician (Busted), TV presenter; was the first to be eliminated, but was remembered for his friendly personality |
| Jason Watkins | Season 3 (2023) | Actor; brought theatricality to his culinary experiments and was remembered for his reactions to the challenges |
| Claire Richards | Season 3 (2023) | Singer (Steps); combined her musical experience with remarkable tenacity in cooking |
| Indiyah Polack | Season 3 (2023) | Love Island star; her bold ideas and energy attracted young viewers |
| Christopher Biggins | Season 4 (2024) | Actor and TV presenter; known for his artistry, he brought extra charm to the show |
| Linford Christie | Season 4 (2024) | Olympic champion sprinter; he gained interesting cooking experience on the show after his sporting career |
| Katherine Ryan | Season 4 (2024) | Comedian; her sharp humour and sarcastic remarks made the episodes memorable |
| Harry Pinero | Season 4 (2024) | Media personality: his interest in cooking expanded his television image |
| Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu | Season 5 (2025) | Winner of Love Island, actress; remembered for her energy, but was eliminated early |
| Jordan North | Season 5 (2025) | Radio and television presenter; proved himself to be a neat and disciplined participant |
Champions from all seasons
The Celebrity Chefs TV programme was claimed by renowned figures who succeeded in persuading both the audience and the judges that they genuinely possess culinary skills.
| Season | Winner | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (2021) | Harry Judd | Drummer for the band McFly; showed an unexpected passion for cooking |
| 2 (2022) | Dr Ranj Singh | Doctor and TV presenter (This Morning), who impressed with his excellent cooking skills |
| 3 (2023) | Samia Longchambon | Actress (Coronation Street); demonstrated a creative approach to cooking |
| 4 (2024) | Ellie Simmonds | Paralympic champion; won thanks to her discipline and original recipes |
| 5 (2025) | Natalie Cassidy | Actress (EastEnders); won by impressing the judges and viewers with her culinary skills and ideas |
Dishes and Their Preparations
Below are several recipes for well-known dishes featured on the show Cooking with the Stars (UK), complete with ingredient lists and cooking directions:
Pork Chops with Crackling and Sausage Bonbons
Roasted Chicken with Sage-Stuffed Ballotine and Sweetcorn Purée
Ingredients:
- Chicken – 1
- Salt, pepper – to taste
- Sage – 6–8 leaves
- Butter – 50 g
- Corn – 200 g
Preparation:
- Prepare a stuffing using sage and butter, then fill the chicken with this mixture.
- Roast for 40–45 minutes at 180 degrees.
- Cook the sweetcorn, mash it, and add seasoning.
- Plate the chicken alongside the corn purée and Madeira sauce.
Vegan Crepe Cake with Mascarpone and Plum Compote Layers
Common inquiries
Who was the champion of Cooking with the Stars 2025?
The champion of Cooking with the Stars 2025 was Natalie Cassidy, a British actress recognised for her performance in EastEnders. She captivated the judges with the flavour of her meals and her inventiveness in the kitchen.
Where can you view Cooking with the Stars?
Cooking with the Stars is broadcast on ITV1 and its streaming service ITVX. For audiences in Scotland, the episodes can also be viewed on STV and STV Player.
Where is Cooking with the Stars shot?
Cooking with the Stars is shot in specially designed kitchens located in Great Britain and is produced by South Shore Productions in partnership with M&S Food. The filming occurs in professional studio environments under the oversight of ITV.