For the time they're on the show, they have a 6-day workweek - they get Sundays off to do what they want. The other six days, they're either filming for the show, or they're taking cooking classes. That's why you see their cooking improve from week to week. They're getting a lot of instruction.
You'll often hear the judges – Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen – tell the contestants to 'study' before an upcoming challenge. That's exactly what they do when they leave the studio at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds and return to their apartments.
MasterChef contestants are given cooking classes
Those home chefs clearly know what they're doing, but according to the blog of one runner-up (via The Daily Mail), that's not always the case. They say contestants were given cooking classes on challenges where there was a level of technique required. Like what?
Production staff takes each cook's phone before they come on set and hold on to them for the duration of filming. When not filming, the contestants are allowed contact with their family but aren't allowed to discuss any details of the filming, or broadcast where they are on social media.
But it turns out contestants are actually told about the challenges beforehand.. "Contestants are given the heads-up on the challenges, themes [and] recipes the night before filming, so they can research techniques and recipes," an unnamed source told New Idea.
ONE MAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CLEAN-UP
Dishwasher Leigh Dowling is one of over 200 crew that make the MasterChef dream a reality. "Leigh washes everything you see," executive producer Margaret Bashfield reveals.
While the show's crazy talented chefs are busy cooking up gourmet dishes, it looks like food isn't the only thing heating up on MasterChef! NW has learned that two All Stars contestants had flings with fellow cooks during their initial seasons on the show.
The LA-based "MasterChef" puts competitors in an undisclosed hotel during the duration of their stay. Distractify explains that this is necessary as they can be summoned to the show as early as 3:00 a.m. and can work up to 12 hours per day.
MasterChef US and UK
Of course, we're all curious where that veritable smorgasbord of delights ends up after filming is over. As it turns out, the crew gets first dibs, Marketplace reported. All leftovers and unused pantry items are then donated to MEND – a support service charity based in LA.
Promoted Stories. Food is central to MasterChef, yet it's essentially impossible for Gregg and John and the guest judges to taste everything while it's still hot – even warm. Usually, contestants' dishes are room temperature. The flavours remain and judges always know whether dishes are pleasing or not.
Do the MasterChef contestants have to buy their own ingredients? If the contestants wish to practice cooking up their food masterpieces at home, then they are expected to foot the bill for the ingredients, and they aren't reimbursed.
Masterchef host Gregg Wallace revealed in an interview with The Sun that the food on the show isn't thrown away and is put to good use. Usually, after the filming process is done, the leftover food is shared between all the crew members, who get to enjoy some amazing meals prepared by the contestants on the show.
The plain and straight answer here is ... sort of. While some challenges on the show only last 60 minutes each, it has been confirmed that the average filming day lasts a lot longer, presumably to make time for filming specific shots and scenes during and between challenges.
While former MasterChef: The Professionals star Rosanna Moseley told the Birmingham Mail: "The food stays there for a bit after you've finished so they can get good shots of it. "So it can be cold by the time the judges get to it - especially if you're last to be judged - but they take that into consideration."
Aside from the $250,000 prize money the winner receives, many contestants go on to build successful careers in the food industry, publishing cookbooks, hosting television shows and Good Food and Wine events, and even open their own cooking schools and restaurants.
If you are selected to be on the show, you must be available to commit yourself to the competition and taping of this show anywhere between 8-10 weeks from Mid October 2023 to Mid December 2023, depending on how far you advance in the competition. Dates are subject to change at the Producer's sole discretion.
Contestants have to buy any ingredients they require to practice dishes to make at home and aren't given any money towards it - but ingredients and a full pantry are provided in the MasterChef kitchens.
And they don't get to keep the aprons they wear on the show. But they are sent nice new ones in the post later. This is so no one is spotted with a MasterChef apron before the series goes out on TV.
The crew usually eat the leftovers
The food cooked is very rarely thrown away and they are usually eaten by the crew after each round.
They just cook. They wash their hands after handling raw meats, but otherwise gloves aren't really needed unless they have a cut or something.
With the judges rumoured to be taking home around $500,000 a year with Ten, the show's rampant popularity and critical acclaim could see bigger fees negotiated for future seasons.
'MasterChef' contestants are expected to give up a portion of any income from the show. What does that mean if they don't get paid? Well, contestants might get paid for interviews, appearances, or merchandise that they receive because of their spot on MasterChef.
Personality. Krissi is unarguably the most hated contestant in the history of the show despite her resilience and strong cooking abilities.
He was a decent cook, but was infamous for serving food from another home cook that wasn't cooked by himself. Despite the understanding that the incident was an accident, he made history for being the first contestant ever to be disqualified from MasterChef, although he took his elimination gracefully.
In 2013, "MasterChef" judges and producers were accused of sexual, mental, and physical harassment by former contestants. Many accusations came from a blog post by former contestant Marie Porter, where she describes how friends she met on the show were allegedly sexually and physically harassed by judges and producers.