MasterChef Australia has always held a special place in our hearts. Between the nail-biting pressure test and spectacular culinary creations — it’s an Aussie TV classic for a reason! However, in light of MAFS BTS details coming to the surface, many fans are questioning what goes on after the curtain closes on all the kitchen challenges and mystery box show-downs — AKA, the aspects of the show that don’t get nationally broadcast.
Below, we have the answers to some of the most common questions fans (including ourselves) have asked about the BTS reality of MasterChef Australia—scroll on for the tea!
Where Do the Contestants Live During Filming?
Travelling in from all different corners of the country, MasterChef contestants make their way to Melbourne for filming, where they reside in serviced apartment accommodation. Previously a source close to production on the cooking comp shared with Refinery29 that the living conditions are usually two contestants to a single apartment, each with a private bedroom.
Before the 2020 pandemic hit, MasterChef contestants were all put up in a six-bedroom, four-bathroom, three-story mansion in Canterbury, in Melbourne’s east.
How Much Do The MasterChef Contestants Get Paid?
Throughout the time of filming, contestants are away from their day-to-day jobs, which means income is scarce. A few years ago the So Dramatic! podcast published a report sharing that MasterChef participants received $500 per week back in 2011. In 2013, the contestants luckily got a pay increase to $630 per week, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
It was also revealed in the podcast that high-profile MasterChef contestants received noticeably larger pay slips for the series. A clear example is when we look back at the Fans vs Favourites season, Season 1 runner-up and current judge on the show, Poh Ling Yeow, and Season 3’s Hayden Quinn reportedly earned $40,000 for their return to the MasterChef kitchen.
How Long Does An Average MasterChef Episode Take To Film?
The perfectly planned and edited episodes we watch usually only run for just over an hour, whereas the challenges occurring in real-time can take anywhere between a day, to several days to film for a single episode!
Who Are The Most Successful MasterChef Australia Winners?
Many MasterChef Australia contestants have gone on to find success in the food scene. Julie Goodwin, Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Adam Liaw, Justine Schofield, Billie McKay, Reynold Poernomo and Callum Hann are a few ex-MasterChef contestants who have done extremely well for themselves post-filming. Nowadays, you can catch these guys running restaurants, appearing on television cooking shows, writing best-selling cookbooks, and owning their own food-oriented brands.
Are the Dishes Cold When The Judges Eventually Try Them?
Ultimately, this comes down to the type of challenge, the dish contestants have decided to cook, and the amount of dishes the judges have to get through.
The source from Refinery29 shared that, unfortunately, the reality of some contestants’ dishes cooling before they get to the judges is unavoidable, and considering the time it takes to film the judges taste-tests, breaks and hold-ups are inevitable. The source also recalled that back when the ‘toasted jaffle episode’ occurred, everyone hurried so that every dish was eaten right away—apparently, none of the judges were fond of cold melted cheese; we don’t blame them!
