Australia’s most beloved reality cooking competition MasterChef is returning for a thrilling 16th season with a fresh batch of talented home cooks taking to the iconic kitchen.
It’s a new chapter for the show, which has been described by Channel 10 as “all about passion, giving it everything you’ve got, putting it all on the plate and creating extraordinary food.”
WATCH NOW: MasterChef Australia 2024 Teaser Trailer.
When does MasterChef Australia 2024 premiere?
The upcoming season of MasterChef Australia will premiere on Channel 10 and 10Play on Monday, April 22 at 7:30 pm.
Who is competing on MasterChef Australia in 2024?
While the full cast list has not yet been released, it is expected that there will be 22 contestants vying for the title of Australia’s MasterChef for 2024 and the life-changing $250,000 in prize money that comes with it. View the contestants that have been revealed so far here.
Who are the judges on MasterChef Australia?
After beloved judge Jock Zonfrillo passed away in April 2023 and Melissa Leong departed the series in favour of hosting the inaugural season of MasterChef: Dessert Masters alongside expert chocolatier Amaury Guichon, three new judges were added to the panel.
These include MasterChef alumni Poh Ling Yeow, food critic and journalist Sofia Levin, and multi-Michelin Star award-winning chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli.
Beloved British chef Jamie Oliver will also be making his return as a guest judge for a record-two-week stint where he will be busy doling out advice, handing out hugs, and tackling the world’s biggest mouthful of donuts.
It’ll even be a family affair, with Channel Ten hinting that his parents will be making an unexpected kitchen cameo.
The 47-year-old first appeared on MasterChef Australia in 2012, his last appearance being across two episodes in 2023.
Where was MasterChef Australia filmed in 2024?
During filming the cast and crew hopped on a plane to Asia to film three mouth-watering episodes in Hong Kong.
For returnee judge Andy Allen, the trip with MasterChef marks his first visit to the special administrative region of China.
“I’ve never been to Hong Kong, but I’ve been really interested in the place for a long time. That’s because I see the city’s array of food is off the charts: it’s a melting pot of different cultures, bold flavours, and one-of-a-kind ingredients,” the Three Blue Ducks co-owner shared in an official media release announcing the exciting news.
He added that he was especially excited for the contestants to “get amongst” the “blending [of] Michelin-starred restaurants with bustling street markets.”
The beloved reality cooking competition was last filmed in Hong Kong for season one in 2009, the location is globally recognised as a world-class culinary hub with everything from delicious street eats to award-winning fine dining on offer.
Given Hong Kong is home to more than 15,000 dining establishments and 77 Michelin-starred restaurants, it comes as no surprise that season 16 is returning to the vibrant city.
