Olivia Attwood returns to television with The Heat, a new reality series on ITV2 that follows ambitious young chefs in Barcelona. The show features contestants working under Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli while cameras capture their off-duty lives. It premieres on February 24 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
The Heat introduces a fresh take on culinary competition, blending high-pressure kitchen work with unscripted personal moments. Ten participants, including chefs and front-of-house staff, head to Barcelona to assist Novelli in launching an exclusive summer restaurant. Unlike traditional formats such as MasterChef, the series continues filming after shifts end, documenting dates, staff outings, and interpersonal dynamics.
The cast comprises diverse young professionals. Akito, 24, from Cheshire, combines cooking with social media content creation, having started as a kitchen porter at 16 and advanced to sous chef. Alex W, 22, from County Cork, Ireland, grew up at the family-run Ballymaloe restaurant and now works as a chef de partie in London at places like Lyles. Djordje, 26, from Wakefield, transitioned from front-of-house to chef de partie at Shears Yard in Leeds. Jayon from Manchester aims to open a Jamaican-themed restaurant after progressing from kitchen porter to chef de partie at The Ivy and Medlock Canteen.
Kat from the Scottish Highlands began at Glasgow's Virgin Hotel and now serves as chef de partie at the Marriott, with plans to explore Australia. Maja, 25, from London, switched from criminology studies to culinary training at Leith's Cookery School and currently works at The Hart in Marylebone. Marta, 21, developed a passion for pastry during an apprenticeship at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant and later became a private chef in Tenerife. Tom from South Wales is creative director at Crave in Exeter, with experience at The Savoy under Gordon Ramsay.
Front-of-house members include Seren from Buckinghamshire, who studies fashion marketing at the University of Manchester while working as a chef at Honest Crust. Helina coordinates events at a Soho private members' club and aspires to a career as a singer-songwriter. Natalia, the maitre d', brings over 20 years of experience from Michelin-starred Danube and Le Cirque, and owns Sete restaurant in Margate as founder of LOR, supporting women in hospitality.
The series highlights the contestants' career backgrounds and ambitions in a competitive yet revealing environment.
