Olivia Attwood's 'The Heat': Tears, kisses, and culinary drama

A new reality cooking competition, titled 'The Heat,' hosted by Olivia Attwood, is set to premiere on ITV2 and ITVX at 9 PM on Tuesday, February 24th. The series features ten aspiring chefs who will travel to Barcelona to hone their skills under the mentorship of the multi-Michelin Star award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Early glimpses of the show reveal a dynamic blend of high-stakes culinary challenges and dramatic personal interactions among the contestants. The teaser highlights romantic entanglements, gossip, and emotional moments, suggesting that viewers can expect a significant amount of real-life drama alongside the cooking.

Chef Jean-Christophe Novelli expressed his enthusiasm, stating he will push the young chefs to "dig deep, stay sharp, and prove they have what it takes." He aims to mentor them using all five senses to perfect their dishes. Olivia Attwood described her role as hosting a "brand-new format" and called it a "total pinch-me moment."

ITV announced the show in August 2025, describing 'The Heat' as the perfect fusion of a high-stakes cooking show with real-life drama, anticipating it will become a "new reality obsession" for younger viewers. Olivia Attwood has recently focused on work following a personal announcement regarding her split from husband Bradley Dack.