WHAT REALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CLOCK STOPS? They keep on filming! While a challenge might only last 60 minutes, an average filming day is much longer. After the judges' taste-test and the verdict is delivered, contenders sometimes head home after spending 12 hours of their day filming.
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.
Refinery29 Australia reported last year that contestants have previously been put up in a serviced apartment, with two people in an apartment with their own bedrooms. In 2020, news.com.au revealed that contestants usually live in "a multimillion-dollar mansion".
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.
For the time they're on the show, they have a 6-day workweek - they get Sundays off to do what they want. The other six days, they're either filming for the show, or they're taking cooking classes. That's why you see their cooking improve from week to week.
Phones are forbidden on the show. Contestants are allowed to make one ten-minute phone call each week.
Former MasterChef contestant Dani Venn confirmed to Mamamia that contestants are given time to think about their dishes before the timer starts.
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."
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.
"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."
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."
Yep, reports on the show have revealed that contestants are actually only paid slightly more than the legal minimum wage. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a mere $630 allowance each week was handed out to the 2013 contestants, which is only slightly more than the minimum $583 a week for an entry level cook.
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.
Who washes the dishes on 'MasterChef'? Now to Love reported on some of the Australian version of the program's "unsung" heroes, like Leigh Dowling, who is one of over 200 different crew members who are dedicated employees to the program. Leigh washes all of the dirty dishes on the show ... literally every single one.
The contestants put their lives on hold, but that doesn't mean their responsibilities freeze and bills don't have to be paid. The contestants on MasterChef do get some money, but it's probably nowhere near what you think and in some aspects, contestants actually pay the show.
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.
To get an accurate representation of the composition of the final plate, the judges taste each individual element as it's being prepared. Makes sense, right? In fact, the final temperature of the food isn't usually taken into consideration at all, as it wouldn't be fair on the contestants who are judged last.
In 2013, "MasterChef" judges and producers were accused of sexual, mental, and physical harassment by former contestants. Many accusations came from a blog post by former contestant Marie Porter, where she describes how friends she met on the show were allegedly sexually and physically harassed by judges and producers.
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.
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.
Food is central to MasterChef, yet it's essentially impossible for Gregg and John and the guest judges to taste everything while it's still hot – even warm. Usually, contestants' dishes are room temperature. The flavours remain and judges always know whether dishes are pleasing or not.
During challenges, contestants are not allowed to use recipes on MasterChef.
But some skeptical fans have long wondered how realistic of a portrayal the show provides since not everything that takes place in the studio makes it to the edits. Nonetheless, the contestants are highly unlikely to receive a copy of the recipes in advance.
Does filming take up a lot of time? It takes up a lot of time yes. I averaged at about 2-3 days a week for roughly three months which really takes its toll when you are trying to hold down a normal day job at the same time! MasterChef is a once in a lifetime opportunity though so you just have to knuckle down.
Zonfrillo Net Worth
Several reports say that Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong, and Andy Allen each make $500,000 a year from MasterChef Australia. MasterChef Australia has been a ratings hit for Channel Ten ever since it began. Now, a new story says the judges want to get paid more.