MasterChef: The Professionals is back and here's who's taking part in Series 19

If you're already wondering how to fill your days once Celebrity Traitors has finished, then we bring you good news. Because this November, MasterChef: The Professionals is back for Series 19 and the dream team of Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti are at the helm, kicking off seven weeks of the show.

For committed food obsessives, the show is a great showcase of some of the UK's most promising up-and-coming talent, from kitchens across the country. Last season saw self-taught chef Gareth Baty win the show (he now pops up across the UK as The Wandering Cumbrian) with Luke Emmess (Wykeham Arms), Mark O'Brien (Snake Oil Barbecue) and private chef Caroline Meyer Kerber all finalists. 

This year's contestants range from those working in well-known restaurants like Rambutan, The Hand and Flowers and 64 Goodge Street to private chefs, supperclub chefs and more. Here's who you'll be seeing on the screens in the coming weeks:

Abigail Smith Demi Chef de Partie at The Hand and Flowers, (Marlow)

Aleandro Brown - Private Chef (London). Follow him @chefaleandro

Alfred Petty - Chef and Owner of Petty Fours (Cornwall)

Andrea Ruszel - Private Chef and Founder of Andrea’s Table he also works as sous chef at the Embassy of Italy in London

Ben Black - Junior Sous Chef at Knockinaam Lodge (Portpatrick) he was working at Condita (Edinburgh) during filming.

Clara Lim - Sous Chef at Rambutan (London)

Connor Wilson - Head Chef at The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest (Brampton)

Dan Nunn - Senior Sous Chef at The Sir Charles Napier (Oxfordshire)

Dominique Ogunlowo - Private Chef and Food Blogger

Filomena D'Uva - Chef Patron at Delizia Italian Food in Belfast.

Gregory Schaad-Jackson - Virtual Cooking Experience Host and Mobile Caterer

Ibraheem “Ibz” Umar - Chef de Partie and Co-Founder of Guatú, a Caribbean supper club (recently at Bruno and Moyletts in London)

Inayya Hamid - Sous Chef at 64 Goodge Street (London)

Isabel Almeida Da Silva - Co-Founder and Head Chef at Volta Do Mar  (London)

Jacintha Henderson - Lecturer at City of Glasgow College and freelance chef. Follow her @cinfaax

Jack Sencherey-Evans - Operations Director at Relentless Steak & Lobster House (Portsmouth) and previously at Natty’s Jerk (London) during filming.

Jemma Harrison - Chef & Owner of Kaunter pop-up. We tried her food at a Giacco's pop-up and it was great. 

Jim Foster-Grundy - Head Chef at The Goose and Cuckoo (Abergavenny)

Kieran Jones - Sous Chef at Sunlaws Restaurant, Schloss Roxburghe Hotel (Scottish Borders)

Manuel Ribeiro - Head Chef at 670 Grams (Birmingham)

Matty Grove - Head Chef at Caper & Cure (Bristol)

Morteza Nouri - Private Chef in Mayfair. Follow him on Insta here @mortouze

Ruchi Mehrotra - Private Chef and owner of Milaanj by Ruchi Mehrotra

Sebastian Brooks - Junior sous chef at Jumeirah Carlton Tower (London)

So if you're watching the show and wondering where you can see more of a particularly promising contestant, then this is your handy go-to guide.

It all finishes up with the winner revealed on Friday 18 December, meaning that one lucky chef is going to have a really great early Christmas present.