Masterchef Ireland

The amateur culinary contest returns as more budding cooks try to impress judges Dylan McGrath and Nick Munier in a bid to become Ireland's next star chef.

Dylan McGrath and Nick Munier oversee the second set of auditions, as dozens of hopefuls step up to the chopping board in an effort to fill the 10 remaining places in the final 16 line-up.

Dylan McGrath and Nick Munier challenge the contestants to create a dish that reflects their personalities and passion for cooking, but an unexpected twist to the task puts the hopefuls under pressure.

The 12 contestants travel to Kilkenny Castle, where they are challenged to cook for the participants of the Kilkenny Triathlon in mobile kitchens.

The final 10 contestants are put to work in some of the finest restaurants in Dublin to test their skills - cooking for real customers under the watchful eye of professional head chefs.

The nine remaining contestants face two new challenges that showcase thier creativity and competitive edge - preparing dishes inspired by the judges' favourite childhood recipes and cooking selected cuts of pork.

The eight remaining contestants prepart and serve a four-course meal to 35 diners in a pop-up restaurant in Dublin, with ingredients chosen by chef Giles Clark.

The seven remaining contestants face a demanding taste test carried out by scientist and molecular gastronomist Juan Valverde and Dublin chef Karl Whelan.

The final five contestants head to the smallest of the Aran Islands, Inis Oirr, where they meet local man Enda Conneely, who shows them how to forage on the seashore.

Last four contestants face a gruelling challenge if they want to win a place in the semi-final.