MasterChef Australia
Season 14 M-Net (*101) 18:00 Reality
Reality supercooking show MasterChef Australia returns for the 14th time, airing Mondays to Thursdays right when most of us are thinking about what to make for dinner. And this season will give viewers food for thought because it’s brought back familiar faces in the Fans vs Favourites format. There are three champions, three popular former contestants who didn’t quite make the grade, and 12 new fans who’re going to take the MasterChef challenge. Plus, season 4 (2012) winner Andy Allen, pro chef Jock Zonfrillo and food critic and author Melissa Leong return as judges.
The returning winners are Sashi Cheliah (season 10, 2018) Billie McKay (season 7, 2015), and Julie Goodwin (season 1, 2009). Season 14 was filmed towards the end of 2021, so there are still a number of COVID-19 restrictions in place for filming, says Andy. “We didn’t even broadcast the audition part of the season, which is usually hugely important. Instead, we start with the 24 chefs ready to get cooking.
This season is also going to feature the most Immunity Pins handed out in the show’s history: Seven. There are also a brand-new Feature Ingredient Service Challenge, a Food Pyramid Invention Test, and the tried-and-tested Mystery Box Challenge that Andy says pushed the contestants. “We walked around during filming and the aromas and flavours being created were on an incredible level. We thought that season 13 was wonderful, but I think this is our best season yet. You can have all the bells and whistles but if an artistic creation doesn’t taste good, it’s lost.”