All of your living expenses are paid for by production. Additionally, their transportation and food expenses are paid for by the show.
We did some digging, and according to reports, Network Ten generally pays contestants a little more than the legal minimum wage to appear on the competition reality series.
When Julie Goodwin defeated Poh Ling Yeow in MasterChef's first ever Aussie season in 2009, she also won $100,000 and a book deal. While she hasn't opened up about what she spent her winnings on, it's likely that some of the cash went towards her own cooking school, Julie's Place, which is still operating.
Last year, Refinery29 Australia revealed that the MasterChef contestants lived in serviced apartments and this year is no different. In a MasterChef Australia 2023 Facebook fan group, a series of snaps were shared of the cast posing inside what looks to be serviced apartments.
Salary Highlights
Gordon Ramsay's salary per episode is $225,000. He typically earns around $45 million per year from his media and restaurant empire.
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.
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.
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."
All of your living expenses are paid for by production.
Contestants on the show are put up in a hotel for the duration of filming. Additionally, their transportation and food expenses are paid for by the show.
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.
MasterChef season 3 winner Christine Hà is arguably one of the most successful in the franchise. With over 150k followers on Instagram, the Vietnamese-American MasterChef is the most followed contestant of all time. She was the first blind contestant in the show's history.
It looks like the only way to get paid for going on MasterChef is to win, in which case you'd get $250,000. That's not too shabby, so it might be worth the price of a trip to LA for the chance to win the grand prize. It's possible things are different on MasterChef Legends or other iterations, but that seems unlikely.
MasterChef contestants are typically not provided with specific recipes to cook dishes they have never prepared before. The show aims to test their culinary skills, creativity, and ability to adapt to different cooking challenges.
Coles' key sponsorship rights costs the company about $3 million a year, according to a person familiar with the matter. Under the deal Coles also gets MasterChef signage in store and its long-time brand ambassador celebrity chef Curtis Stone appears on the show.
As far as I know, there is no prize for runner up. If the judges like them, they'll probably offer them something on the side (usually, Gordon.
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.
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. "He's the happiest bloke on the team, even when he gets pots that are horribly burnt on the bottom."
"The truth is, things get just as hot in the bedroom as they do in the kitchen," our source tells. "Behind the scenes, there's so much hooking up, clique-forming and bitchiness."
So it seems that all the MasterChef contestants stay in a hotel together (in separate rooms, of course). What makes setting accommodations easier for a show like MasterChef is that for the most part, contestants are visiting the same location for the duration of filming.
Do the MasterChef judges taste every dish? Yes, the judges taste every dish. Due to time constraints in terms of episode length, we sometimes don't see the judges tasting every contestant's dish, but rest assured, they take their job of eating other people's food very seriously.
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.
Freezes or refrigerates what perishables they can for later use. Anything else, like leftover fruit and veg, is donated to the local food charities or food banks. Other leftover organic waste is composted.
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.
Former MasterChef contestant Dani Venn confirmed to Mamamia that contestants are given time to think about their dishes before the timer starts.
Masterchef contestants have to think on their feet
Season 5 contestant Elise Mayfield told The A.V. Club that contestants are not allowed to refer to any recipes during the competitions either and must be ready for whatever is thrown their way beforehand. "I spent a lot of time preparing before I left.