If you’re already missing Love Island: All Stars and craving a bit of villa-style drama with a familiar face, your wait is over. Olivia Attwood’s brand-new show, The Heat, premieres on ITV2 on Tuesday 24th February at 9 pm - and judging by last night’s teaser, we are here for it.
Hosted by the former Love Island star, the show follows 10 young, ambitious chefs flown out to Barcelona to compete for the approval of award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, who’s on the hunt for the next culinary star.
But this isn’t your typical cooking competition - the cameras keep rolling even after dinner service, allowing for friendships to form, rivalries to spark, and even a few unexpected romantic connections to blossom.
So, who are all the chefs?
Read on for the full cast list including our verdict on the contestants.
The Heat cast
- Akito, 24, from Cheshire
- Alex W, 22, from County Cork
- Djordje, 26, from Wakefield
- Jayon, 22, from Manchester
- Kat, 22, from Scotland
- Maja, 25, from London
- Marta, 21, from London
- Tom, 21, from South Wales
- Seren, 21, from Buckinghamshire
- Helina, 21, from London
For more on the cast keep scrolling...
Akito
Age: 24
From: Cheshire
Instagram: akitogreenland
Akito is a dynamic chef, author, musician and social media star who has successfully combined his love of cooking with high-energy content creation, earning millions of views and a large following on TikTok and Instagram. Known for his Japanese-inspired cookbooks, music projects and visually striking, artistic dishes, he built his culinary career from the ground up, starting as a kitchen porter at 16 before rising to Sous Chef at the award-winning Tollemache Arms in Alprahma.
Our verdict: With his years in fine dining and knack for creating eye-catching dishes, Akito’s experience definitely gives him a leg up. Honestly, we wouldn’t be surprised if he’s one of the frontrunners to take it all.
Alex W
Age: 24
From: Co. Cork, Ireland
Instagram: alexpjwhelan
Born and raised at the world-famous Ballymaloe in Ireland, where his family runs the renowned restaurant and cookery school, Alex grew up surrounded by food and hospitality. After starting out under his mother, the head chef, he went on to work as a chalet chef before moving to London to refine his skills at Straker’s and Lyles. Confident and naturally charming, his ultimate goal is to return home, take over the family restaurant, and reclaim his great-grandmother Myrtle’s Michelin star.
Our verdict: Growing up at Ballymaloe and training in some top kitchens, Alex has solid skills and the confidence to match. With his background, we’d say he’s definitely one to watch for the win.
Djordje
Age: 26
From: Wakefield
Instagram: chef_gog
Raised in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Djordje began his career front of house before discovering a passion for the kitchen. He went on to train as a commis chef and rose to Junior Sous Chef at the Palm Hospitality Group. Now he works as Chef de Partie at Shears Yard, where he continues to build his reputation as a driven and talented young chef.
Our verdict: Djordje’s climbed the ranks fast and knows his way around a busy kitchen, so he’s got both skill and drive on his side. With that kind of focus, we’d bet he’s got a real shot at going all the way.
Jayon
Age: 22
From: Manchester
Instagram: jayon.ac
Confident in and out of the kitchen, Jayon - nicknamed "Mr Philosopher" by his friends - is known for his thoughtful advice, warm humour and easy charm. Born and raised in Manchester with proud Jamaican roots, he’s a city guy who still makes time for hikes in the Peak District. He started in kitchens at 16 as a porter, worked his way up through grill roles at Nando’s and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, and later became Chef de Partie at The Ivy and Medlock Canteen. With solid experience behind him, his goal is simple: open his own Jamaican-inspired restaurant in Manchester.
Our verdict: With years of hands-on experience and a steady climb through some solid kitchens, Jayon’s got both skill and style to impress. Definitely one to keep an eye on.
Kat
Age: 22
From: The Scottish Highlands
Instagram: kat.mcgibbon_
Half Kiwi, half Scottish, Kat grew up in the remote Highlands on a country estate with no phone signal, spending her days outdoors, getting muddy and racing quad bikes. Now drawn to city life, she moved to Glasgow before heading off to explore Australia. She began her career as a Commis Chef at Virgin Hotels Glasgow, went on to fine-dining spot Glaschu, and later stepped up to Chef de Partie at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel. Used to holding her own as the only woman in the kitchen, she likes to think of herself as thick-skinned. Her ultimate goal is to become a top private chef.
Our verdict: Kat’s fine-dining experience and ability to hold her own in tough kitchens will definitely come in handy. That said, the high-pressure competition vibe might be a bit different from her private chef ambitions, so it’ll be interesting to see how she adapts under constant cameras and drama.
Maja
Age: 25
From: London
Instagram: majapardew
Quietly confident and naturally sociable, Maja is the go-to organiser of her group and daughter of football manager Alan Pardew, whose viral FA Cup "dad dance" started as her dare. After studying criminology, she followed her real passion for food, training at Leiths School of Food and Wine and working as Chef de Partie at Clipstone. A move to Australia saw her join Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, and she now works at The Hart, with dreams of launching a food business with her sister.
Our verdict: Maja’s calm confidence and solid kitchen experience make her a strong contender, and her ability to organise and connect with people could really help under pressure. The challenge might be juggling the competitive pace with her usual steady style.
Marta
Age: 21
From: London
Instagram: chefmartarezk
Marta is a determined, straight-talking chef with Bulgarian and Egyptian roots. Calm under pressure and ambitious in the kitchen, she began as an apprentice at a three-Michelin-star restaurant, worked as a private chef in Tenerife, and is known for her show-stopping croquembouche. Her dream is to become a private chef on yachts.
Our verdict: Marta’s ambition and fine-dining background give her a real edge in the kitchen, and her pastry skills could wow the judges. But how will she cope with the cameras? Only time will tell...
Tom
Age: 21
From: South Wales
Instagram: cheftomlodge
Hailing from South Wales, Tom is ambitious, funny, and full of charm. He started cooking at 16, gaining experience at top kitchens like The Hardwick, Lucknam Park, and The Savoy under Gordon Ramsay. Now creative director at Crave Restaurant in Exeter, he develops menus and works on opening a new Bristol site.
Our verdict: Tom’s top-kitchen experience and natural charm give him a clear edge, though the fast-paced, high-pressure challenges could really test him.
Seren
Age: 21
From: Buckinghamshire
Instagram: serenmehmett
Seren from Buckinghamshire grew up surrounded by music and creativity, with Turkish and Dutch roots shaping her bold personality. Although she's currently studying Fashion Marketing at the University of Manchester, her true passion lies in food. She works as a chef at Honest Crust and with years of waitressing experience on her CV, Seren knows front-of-house like the back of her hand.
Our verdict: Seren’s bold personality and hands-on front-of-house experiences means she can handle the full service. The real test will be keeping up with the competition’s intensity in the kitchen.
Helina
Age: 21
From: London
Instagram: helinaelyse
With Ethiopian roots and a love for connecting with people, Helina is a multi-lingual Londoner who thrives in busy, social environments. She works as a House Coordinator at a private members’ club in Soho, after gaining high-pressure experience at a Michelin-starred restaurant. While hospitality is her forte, her true passion is music, which she shares regularly through her singing and songwriting on Instagram.
Our verdict: Helina’s experience in high-pressure kitchens and busy hospitality roles gives her a steady hand in the competition, and her people skills could help her stay composed. Balancing the fast-paced cooking challenges with her other passions might be her biggest test.
The Heat airs on ITV2 and ITVX on weekdays and Sundays at 9pm.
