March 18th, 2010 1:36 pm

Matt Moran replaces Gary Mehigan on ‘MasterChef Australia’

Producers have called on Matt Moran to step in as emergency guest-judge on ‘MasterChef Australia’, replacing Gary Mehigan who’s recovering for surgery.

Matt Moran will be returning to Ten’s ‘MasterChef Australia’, following a guest stint on rival network Seven’s ‘My Kitchen Rules’.

Producers called on Moran to step in as emergency guest-judge, replacing Gary Mehigan, who slipped at the end of a long day two weeks ago.

Moran joins several other guest judges who’ve been covering for Mehigan, while he recuperates from surgery to his knee and thigh.

The temporary loss of one of its judges couldn’t come at a worse time for the reality cook-off, as production ramps up on the final challenges of the season.

Mehigan will miss some crucial final cooking challenges, which were key to the success of the first season.

Some within the industry are already speculating that the second season of ‘MasterChef’ wont live up the first, with audiences appetites for cooking contests already fulfilled thanks to Seven’s ‘My Kitchen Rules’.

An unnamed rival executive said ‘My Kitchen Rules’ was partly designed to soak audiences appetites for cooking shows.

“We believe the viewers’ stomachs will be full so the questions is will MasterChef work after they’ve had their fix?” said the exectuive.

However, a ‘MasterChef’ source remains optimistic — confident that the hunger will remain.

“It’s good for us because it has got the viewers thinking about food again and people can wait for five weeks or so for us to come on,” said the source.

Mehigan is expected to return to the ‘MasterChef’ kitchen — on crutches — over the weekend.

‘MasterChef Australia’ is expected to go to air in late April on Network Ten.

Source: Perth Now

March 17th, 2010 8:38 pm

Somebody loves show tunes at Network Ten

Network Ten cranks out another show tune for their latest ‘MasterChef Australia’ promos, meanwhile imitation ‘MasterChef’ promos pop up internationally.

Earlier this year Ten promoted the new season of ‘So You Think You Can Dance Australia’ with the song “The Rhythm of Life” from the broadway musical ‘Sweet Charity’.

Now, Ten are wowing us with yet another show tune promo, this time “Food, Glorious Food”, the opening song from the hit musical and subsequent movie ‘Oliver!’.

Check out an extended version of the promo below.

Meanwhile, as the halo effect from the record breaking first season of ‘MasterChef Australia’ spreads internationally, TV networks around the world are taking cues from the Australian promos that kicked it all off.

Here’s a reminder.

Now here’s New Zealand’s take.

And from Norway.

October 2nd, 2009 10:06 am

‘MasterChef Australia’ to air in UK

Pay-TV broadcaster UKTV, have acquired the rights to ‘MasterChef Australia’.

UKTV has acquired the rights to ‘MasterChef Australia’.

The show, which differs substantially from the original UK version, became a ratings phenomenon in Australia following its launch in April.

The pay-TV broadcaster has acquired the rights for the 72-episode series from Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine International, who’ve since taken over the production from FremantleMedia.

UKTV are set to premiere the series in January on the general entertainment channel Watch, before screening it again the Good Food channel in May.

On 19 July the final episode, The Winner Announced, became the highest rating non-sports show to air in Australia, with a peak of 4.11m viewers.

Source: Guardian via TV Tonight

September 21st, 2009 1:10 pm

‘MasterChef’ kitchen, meet the celebrities

Some ‘celebrity’ promos for the upcoming series of ‘Celebrity MasterChef’, premiering 7.30pm Wednesday, September 30 on Ten.

Watch out ‘MasterChef’ kitchen, prepare to be invaded by celebrities.

Ten have started running some individual celebrity promos for the upcoming series of ‘Celebrity MasterChef’, check some of them out below.

The series begins 7.30pm Wednesday, September 30 on Ten.

September 11th, 2009 5:47 pm

Sarah Wilson dropped from ‘MasterChef’

‘MasterChef’ will go without a host next year, when the series returns for it’s second season.

Following the announcement of ‘Celebrity MastChef’ going without a host, Network Ten have now announced that the fully fledged series will also fly host-less when it returns next year.

The first series saw Wilson’s role as host become less necessary as the show progressed, with judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston stepping in to steer the show throughout its challenges.

“Sarah Wilson has been an invaluable member of the MasterChef Australia team and she will be missed,” said Network Ten’s chief programming officer David Mott.

“This decision has been a hard one to make but it became clear the appropriate role for Sarah was not achievable without dramatically changing the format.”

Wilson praised the network for bringing the show to Australian screens, saying “it’s a wonderful, enriching honour to have been part of MasterChef, a show that’s shifted television in such an uplifting and inclusive way.”

“I’m incredibly grateful to have played a founding role in the ‘MasterChef effect’, as it’s been dubbed, and will be bringing the same positive dynamic to my next project.”

Wilson will continue to make guest appearances on other Network Ten programs including ‘The Spearman Experiment’, as well as her other print and radio commitments.

It’s believed she’s also considering another television project, however it’s not clear if this is with Network Ten or another network.

Source: TV Tonight

September 3rd, 2009 7:58 pm

First ‘Celebrity MasterChef’ contestants revealed

Network Ten have confirmed seven celebrities set to battle it out in ‘Celebrity MasterChef’, beginning 7:30pm Wednesday, September 30.

Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, prematurely announced her appearance on the show via a message on her Twitter feed. Network Ten later confirmed her appearance on the official ‘MasterChef’ wesbite.

Six other contestants were revealed during a special extended edition of  ’The 7PM Project’, in which the team crossed to James Matheson live at the ‘MasterChef’ kitchen in Sydney.

The confirmed contestants are as follows:

• Anna Bligh (Current Premier of Queensland)
• Eamon Sullivan (Olympic swimmer)
• Peter Fitzsimons (Former Rugby Union player)
• Kathleen de Leon Jones (Singer and performer, former ‘Hi-5’ member)
• Alex Perry (Fashion designer)
• Michelle Bridges (Trainer from ‘The Biggest Loser’)
• Indira Naidoo (Australian consumer advocate, former journalist/television presenter)

Returning to judge and mentor the contestants are Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston. The remaining eleven celebrity contestants will be revealed over the coming week.

The series will run for 10-weeks beginning 7:30pm Wednesday, September 30 on Network Ten.

Which other celebs do you think should take to the kitchen? Sound off in the comments below.

UPDATE: Other contestants announced for the series include:

• Steve Bisley (Actor) (Will no longer appear on ‘Celebrity MasterChef’)
• Ryan O’Keefe (Sydney Swans AFL footballer)
• Alex Lloyd (Musician)
• Rachael Finch (Miss Universe contestant)
• Simon Katich (Cricketer)
• Peter Rowsthorn (Comedian/Actor, ‘Kath & Kim’)
• Faustina ‘Fuzzy’ Agolley (‘Video Hits’ host)
• Josh Thomas (Comedian, ‘Talkin’ ’bout Your Generation’)
• George Negus (‘Dateline’)
• Kirk Pengilly (Musician, INXS)
• Simon Westaway (Actor, ‘Underbelly’)

Source: Network Ten, Wikipedia

September 1st, 2009 12:23 am

Sponsors board ‘Celebrity MasterChef’

Coles and McDonald’s have jumped on board the sponsorship train for ‘Celebrity MasterChef’, premiering September 30 on Network Ten.

The supermarket and restaurant chains join Harvey Norman, Jalna and Chris’ Dips as sponsors of the celebrity cooking showdown.

The sponsorship deals include both custom broadcast and online components, which will be featured during the show’s 10-week run.

Director of marketing for McDonald’s Australia, Helen Farquhar, believes ‘MasterChef’ ties in “perfectly” with the restaurant chain’s family-restaurant offering and launch of its new burgers.

“I can’t say too much (about the sponsorship activity) but it’s a perfect fit for us to continue to bring our Angus Beef products to the market in a highly relevant way,” she said.

While Coles has already signed on to the second series of ‘MasterChef’ next year, Farquhar says McDonald’s have not ruled out signing onto the second series.

“We may, but it will absolutely depend on how successfully we work with Celebrity MasterChef in the short term. We will always look at properties that are successful and ideally have long term relationships with them.”

Some of the so called “celebrities” who are tipped to join the cooking show phenomenon are Miss Universe runner up Rachel Finch, swimmer Eamon Sullivan, ‘The Biggest Loser’ trainer Michelle Bridges, INXS guitarist Kirk Pengilly and actor Vince Colosimo.

Names will be officially announced on Thursday night in an extended edition of ‘The 7PM Project’ on Ten.

Which celebs do you think should show off their cooking talents in ‘Celebrity MasterChef’? Sound off in the comments below.

Source: B&T, News.com.au

July 19th, 2009 10:07 pm

Julie wins ‘MasterChef Australia’

38-year old IT business owner Julie has beaten fellow finalist Poh to become Australia’s first ‘MasterChef’.

Over 7000 hopeful chefs auditioned, but there could only be one winner.

After 92 episodes, 12 weeks of challenges and 18 eliminations, the final decision came down to three challenges, a taste test, an invention test and a pressure test.

The mother of three completed all of the final challenges with a total score of 82 out of 100, beating Poh who followed behind with a score of 75 out of 100.

Julie took home $100,000 in prize money and a cooking book publishing deal with Random House. She’ll also work with some of the best chefs in Australia to harness her already impressive cooking skills.

Runner-up Poh didn’t go home empty handed either, with an invitation to follow guest judge Curtis Stone for a week in Los Angeles on the set of his US based television cooking show.

‘MasterChef’ became a mega success for Network Ten when it debuted back in April building an amazing 2 million viewer audience over the series broadcast. So it comes as no surprise that the network is already taking submissions for the 2010 series. Visit the website for more details.

July 16th, 2009 9:15 pm

Who will become Australia’s first ‘MasterChef’?

Julie and Poh will go head to head in the grand finale of ‘MasterChef’ on Sunday night.

After the surprise elimination of beer man Chris, finalists Julie and Poh will be joined by all previously eliminated contestants for one final Master Class tomorrow night.

In the grand finale of ‘MasterChef’ on Sunday, guest Curtis Stone will help judge both contestants plates in their first finale challenge, before they each tackle Matt Moran’s signature dish.

So it all comes down to this, Julie or Poh? Who will become Australia’s first ‘MasterChef’?

July 1st, 2009 9:26 pm

Competition heats up on ‘MasterChef’

In a surprise twist on ‘MasterChef’ tonight, eliminated contestants Justine, Poh and Tom returned to the competition as potential contenders for the title of Australia’s first ‘MasterChef’.

In a surprise twist on ‘MasterChef’ tonight, three eliminated contestants returned to the competition as potential contenders for the title of Australia’s first ‘MasterChef’.

Justine, Poh and Tom all returned to face off against remaining contestants Julie, Sam, Chris and Andre in a daunting challenge to feed over 200 sailors on the HMAS Kanimbla.

Each contestant was asked to choose one dish to serve, with the goal of receiving the highest number of votes. The clear favorite was Justine’s lamb shanks, which received the highest number of points.

The two dishes which received the lowest number of points were Tom’s chicken curry and Sam’s seafood pasta. Both will face off tomorow night  in a pressure test, with the loser sent packing.

Things have certainly heated up on this year’s break out show, and with Justine and Poh back in the running, it’s going to be an interesting race to the finale.

Tune in to ‘MasterChef’ 7.00pm tomorrow night for the grueling taste test challenge between Tom and Sam.