Olivia Attwood to host ITV2's new reality show The Heat

10 ambitious young chefs head to Barcelona for a competition show like no other.

ITV2 has today announced a brand-new reality format called The Heat, which follows a group of young chefs taking on the hottest job of their lives.

Hosted by Olivia Attwood, The Heat sees 10 ambitious chefs travel to Barcelona, working under multi Michelin Star award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, who is opening an exclusive summer restaurant at the glamorous Port Vell Marina and on a mission to find the next rising star.

But this isn’t just a straight-forward cooking competition. Each day, when the kitchen service is over, the cameras keep rolling because when you’re living, working and competing with one another, there is no escaping The Heat.

Viewers can expect post shift dates, staff nights out and more - blending both their professional and personal lives will see tempers simmer, steam and boil, in and outside of the kitchen. 

These young hopefuls will quickly realise that no-one's place is secure in this fierce culinary contest, as they consistently battle it out in a bid to climb the kitchen ranks. Promotions, demotions, power plays, sackings and shock decisions throughout the series are sure to keep the contenders on their toes - every service is a chance to soar or sink.

With Olivia keeping a close eye, offering sharp insight, spicy gossip, and the occasional reality check, The Heat promises all the ingredients for an unmissable reality series with a twist. But who will rise to the top? And who will face the chop?

On hosting The Heat, Olivia Attwood said "It is such an honour to host this brand-new format for ITV2 and ITVX, being at the helm of something this fresh and exciting is a total pinch-me moment!"

To which Jean-Christophe Novelli added "I couldn’t be more thrilled to join this new exciting show and help spotlight the next generation of culinary talent. Known for my drive and intensity in the kitchen, I’ll be using my passion and unique teaching style to push these young chefs to dig deep, stay sharp, and prove they have what it takes to grow, evolve, and make their mark."

"I’ll mentor them to use all five senses together and put it all on the plate, the right way. It’s going to be a wild ride, and I know we’ll discover some true culinary stars along the way. I’m ready. Let’s do this. Allez, Allez – bon appétit!"

Produced by Twofour, part of ITV Studios, and will be executive produced byDan Gray and Tom Richardson for Twofour.

Speaking about the new format, Paul Mortimer, Director of Reality Commissioning and Acquisitions at ITV said "The Heat is the perfect fusion of a high-stakes cooking show with real-life drama, and with the fantastic Olivia at the forefront alongside the renowned Jean-Christophe calling the shots in the kitchen, it’s shaping up to be a new reality obsession for our younger viewers on ITV2 and ITVX."

To which David Clews, Chief Creative Officer for Twofour added "We can’t wait to bring The Heat to ITV2 and ITVX, a reality-cooking competition crossover, sure to dish out delicious drama. With the incredible Olivia Atwood hosting and the legendary Jean-Christophe Novelli in charge, we couldn’t be more thrilled. They really are a fabulous combination."

And Dan Gray, Executive Producer for Twofour said "Filming is underway in Barcelona and it’s so exciting to see our ambitious young chefs enter the heat of the kitchen, as well as having the time of their lives in the city too. The series really is shaping up to be absolutely unmissable."

The Heat will air in 2026 on ITV2