"They are not allowed to stop and read a recipe from a cookbook while we are filming. Anything they pull from the cookbooks must be memorized," says the producer. And that's not all: "Masterchef" contestants are, indeed, as clueless about challenges as they appear to be on-screen.
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.
But some skeptical fans have long wondered how realistic of a portrayal the show provides since not everything that takes place in the studio makes it to the edits. Nonetheless, the contestants are highly unlikely to receive a copy of the recipes in advance.
contestants get weekly targeted classes, teaching them techniques for whatever they will cook in upcoming challenges/programs. This can gets quite close to the actual program cooking challenge. They have spare time to do training at their living quarters.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You really do cook only one dish.
Although some shows have contestants make multiple dishes for judges and beauty shots, the chefs on MasterChef make only one that'll either get them to the next round or send them home.
To get an accurate representation of the composition of the final plate, the judges taste each individual element as it's being prepared. Makes sense, right? In fact, the final temperature of the food isn't usually taken into consideration at all, as it wouldn't be fair on the contestants who are judged last.
Well, the short answer is no. It isn't thrown out. According to show insiders, once the judges have finished critiquing the meals served up by their chef hopefuls, they are then encouraged to take a small plate of leftovers home.
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.
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.
Krissi is unarguably the most hated contestant in the history of the show despite her resilience and strong cooking abilities.
Refinery29 Australia reported last year that contestants have previously been put up in a serviced apartment, with two people in an apartment with their own bedrooms. In 2020, news.com.au revealed that contestants usually live in "a multimillion-dollar mansion".
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.
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."
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.
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.
Brent Draper made history on MasterChef Australia three years ago when he became the first person to voluntarily leave the show. The tradie-turned-chef choked back tears on his final episode of the series as he announced that the pressure was too much for him, and he wanted to leave to protect his mental health.
Well, MasterChef makes it very clear that absolutely no food is wasted after the judges have tested the meals. We'd all love a taster of the mouth-watering meals, and it seems like the crew is no different. The culinary delights are left for those operating cameras and directing the show behind the scenes.
'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.
Hailing from across the country, MasterChef contestants travel to Melbourne for filming, where they are put up in serviced apartment accommodation. A reliable source close to production tells Refinery29 Australia that usually two contestants share an apartment, but each has their own bedroom within the unit.
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.
"What happens is that it gets ground down and cooked into compost, and that goes back into the gardens at Masterchef because that's a huge part of the show, the fact that we grow fruits and vegetables and herbs that the contestants can use," she told The Design Files.