Returning for its 14th season, Channel 10‘s MasterChef Australia is back with a bang, with 12 returning contestants up against 12 everyday home cooks in MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites.
The new season will hit Australian screens at 7:30pm on Easter Monday, April 18th, on 10 and 10 Play.
Judges Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen, and Melissa Leong, will be back to challenge contestants and to watch as the Favourites carve out the kitchen against the next batch of hopefuls.
Read More: MasterChef Fans V Faves: Everything you need to know about the contestants
Read More: MasterChef Fans V Faves: Everything you need to know
Welcoming back MasterChef’s favourite mum and inaugural winner Julie Goodwin, the Favourites boast an array of superstar cooks including fellow winners Billie McKay (Season 7) and Sashi Cheliah (Season 10).
They’ll be joined by Alvin Quah (Season 2), Michael Weldon (Season 3) Mindy Woods (Season 4), Christina Batista (Season 5), Sarah Todd (Season 6), John Carasig (Season 7), Aldo Ortado (Season 10); and fresh from last season, Minoli De Silva and Tommy Pham.
But make no mistake, they’re up against a formidable team of Fans who bring an eclectic array of knowledge across cuisines, techniques and trends, and they’re here to take victory.
Not to be outdone by the top 24, the MasterChef kitchen will once again play host to the best and brightest chefs from Australia and overseas, each arriving to challenge, mentor and set exciting challenges.
This year’s impressive catalogue includes the return of fan favourite Adriano Zumbo, ready to set a waffle challenge to whet the appetite. Shannon Bennet returns to run the floor in a fiery service challenge, before challenging with his own mystery box, and Curtis Stone keeps contestants on their toes with fast and fancy food before a chance at immunity.
Elusive immunity pins are on offer, but they’ll have to beat acclaimed chef Matt Stone to claim victory, and MasterChef Australia: Back To Win favourite and dessert King Reynold Poernomo sets a pressure test six years in the making.
UK superstar Clare Smyth has no less than three Michelin Stars to her name, and her honey and cherry service challenge will leave you wanting more. Alla Wolf-Tasker returns for a pressure test on the road, while seafood guru Josh Niland and Australia’s favourite Maggie Beer both make their way back into the kitchen.
Keeping contestants on their toes with the latest trends and techniques, they are just the tip of the iceberg in a list of exceptional chefs entering the MasterChef kitchen. This season, the winner stands to walk away with not only a life-changing experience and the title of MasterChef Australia 2022, but $250,000 in prize money.
MasterChef Australia is Australia’s most successful cooking competition. In 2021 the series took home the AACTA Award for Best Reality Program – its fifth win in the highly coveted category.
Each week will kick off with an exciting mystery box challenge on a Monday, from where the bottom four will cook for their place during Tuesday’s pressure test, and someone will be sent home. The team challenge hits screens on Wednesday, with both Favourites and Fans battling against each other for their chance to cook for immunity on Thursday. With immunity secured for one, it’s time for the remaining contestants to take to the stage on a Sunday evening for the dreaded elimination, where another talented cook is farewelled.
Masterclasses remain, peppered throughout the season with special guests including Etta’s Rosheen Kaul and the team behind Australia’s best pies, Country Cob Bakery.
MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites premieres Monday, April 18 on 10 and 10Play at 7:30pm.