Popular ‘MasterChef Australia’ judges quit hit show
GARY Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris will not return as the judges in the next season of popular cooking show MasterChef Australia.
Network 10, the broadcaster that has screened the show for 11 years, has confirmed that the chefs, restaurateurs and food critics will not be returning for the 12th season.
“Despite months of negotiation, Ten has not been able to reach a commercial agreement that was satisfactory to Matt, Gary and George.
“Across 11 sensational seasons of the show, MasterChef Australia has established itself as one of the most popular and respected cooking television series around the world,” Network 10 chief executive Paul Anderson said yesterday.
“For more than a decade, the series has shaped and driven the Australian public’s passion for food and cooking, delivered iconic television moments, and made the culinary dreams of everyday home cooks come true.
“We would like to thank Gary, George and Matt for their contribution over the past 11 years.
“MasterChef Australia has always been about ordinary Australians doing extraordinary things for the love of food and we believe it’s very important to continue that ethos.
“Australia is full of remarkable cooking talent and we can’t wait to introduce another group – and the next generation of exceptional judges – in season 12 next year.”
Preston confirmed the news, posting a picture of himself, Calombaris and Mehigan on Instagram.
“It is, however ,with a heavy heart that I can confirm that season 11 was our last. We were really keen to continue, but we were unable to agree to all terms for the new contract.
“We have enjoyed 11 wonderful years on MasterChef Australia with Network Ten, and I want to take this opportunity to thank Ten for this amazing opportunity and its backing of this very special show.”
MasterChef Australia has become a cult show, more successful and popular than the British MasterChef show, which inspired the Australian version.
The hosts and judges have enjoyed worldwide acclaim and have been invited to speak and cook at many cooking food festivals around the world, including South Africa.
Winners and contestants of the show have gone on to have successful book deals, their own food and travel shows, and have also become popular at lifestyle festivals.
The news of their leaving the show comes after it was revealed last week that Australian chef and restaurateur Calombaris had underpaid his former and current staff by AU$7.83million (R77m).
Calombaris was given an AU$200 000 fine after admitting to underpaying his 515 staff members at his restaurants – Press Club and Gazi in Melbourne, and his Hellenic Republic restaurants in Kew, Williamstown and Brunswick.
He has struck a deal with Australia’s Fair Work Ombudsman under which he will pay the fine, and he will also be making a series of public statements that promote compliance with the Fair Work Act.
Fans of the show have been lobbying for Calombaris to be removed from the judging panel of the hit show since the news broke.
There was even a petition online, drawn up by a former Calombaris staff member, to get him removed from the show. More than 22 000 people signed the petition.
Fans of the show reacted swiftly on social media, with some calling for an all-woman judging panel to replace the trio.