Whilst fans of MasterChef Australia are obsessed with the kitchen chaos, many have been questioning what goes on behind the scenes when the cameras aren’t rolling.

If you’re a nosy superfan like us, then you’re in luck, because we’ve found out the answers to some of your burning questions about MasterChef Australia.

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Whilst fans of MasterChef Australia are obsessed with the kitchen chaos, many have been questioning what goes on behind the scenes. Source: Ten

From what happens to the leftover food to where the cast lives during filming, we’re spilling the tea on the BTS happenings of your favourite cooking show.

Do Masterchef Australia contestants have to give their recipes to producers beforehand?

It’s been rumoured that Masterchef contestants must provide their recipes to producers beforehand so they can source all the ingredients they need.

However, during his JUICY tell-all in episode 325 of the So Dramatic! podcast, 2023 winner Brent Draper confirmed that this wasn’t true!

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Brent Draper confirmed that contestants didn’t give their recipes to producers beforehand. Source: Ten

“What you see is what you get,” he laughed, explaining that cast mates had to cook with whatever was on hand that day.

“That’s why it’s a competition. It’s not scripted.” And we wouldn’t be able to do it!

Brent also told So Dramatic! that whilst the MasterChef pantry was always fully stocked, people were allowed to request specific ingredients or condiments that they wanted to use next time.

Is the ‘last-minute mayhem’ on MasterChef Australia scripted?

Rumours have also been swirling that the show is edited to seem like everyone is finishing their dishes last minute for dramatic effect, even if they finished beforehand.

However, according to Brent, people actually do finish their dishes in the last few minutes of the challenges!

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Contestants always finished their dishes within the last few minutes. Source: Ten

“For some reason, when you’re finishing the dish, there’s ALWAYS 10 seconds to go,” the two-time MasterChef star said.

“It’s mayhem. Doesn’t matter what dish, in the last 10 seconds I was running around like a headless chook. Everyone’s frantic at the last minute.

“You forget time, it disappears too quick,” he laughed. And there you have it!

Is any of the drama on MasterChef manufactured?

Unlike Married at First Sight, Brent confirmed that the hit cooking show is 100 per cent genuine.

“It’s so easy to burn something in your [home] kitchen. And then add time onto that and pressure from the judges… You don’t have to dramatise it because the drama’s going to happen anyway!”

Do contestants have to clean their own workbenches?

Brent also spilled that contestants don’t have to clean their workbenches because they’ve got cleaners on set!

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There are cleaners on set. Source: Ten

“You want to keep a clean bench anyway so you’re not frazzled when you plate up,” he explained. “But there’s a crew that cleans up after.”

Do contestants get paid to star on the show?

Brent also confirmed that contestants DO get paid during their stints on the show.

“People have bills to pay. It’d be near impossible for people to take months off for filming [if they weren’t paid],” he said.

Where do the MasterChef contestants live during filming?

Despite the confusion caused by the behind-the-scenes greenroom photos, Refinery29 confirmed that the MasterChef contestants live in serviced apartments during filming.

This was backed up by a series of snaps shared in the MasterChef Australia 2023 Facebook fan group where the contestants were pictured posing inside what looks to be serviced apartments.

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The MasterChef contestants live in serviced apartments. Source: Facebook

However, this wasn’t always the case. Before the pandemic in 2020, the contestants used to live in a boujee three-level mansion in Melbourne’s Canterbury.

What do the MasterChef contestants do between filming?

When they’re not battling it out in the MasterChef kitchen, the contestants spend their time studying various culinary techniques to prepare themselves for upcoming challenges.

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In their downtime, the MasterChef contestants study recipes and culinary techniques. Source: Instagram

According to Refinery29, the cast also cook for each other to try out new recipes. Contestants, if you’re reading this, we’d like a nibble too!

How long does it take to film an episode of MasterChef?

Even though each episode only runs for around 90 minutes, it reportedly takes production a full day to film a single episode.

Yawn, that sounds tiring…

Do the MasterChef judges try every dish? 

Even if their stomachs can’t take it, the judges try every single dish prepared for them.

We don’t always see this as the episodes would go on FOREVER if they were to show every mouthful the judges took. But after all, it’s their job to eat, so they must try every meal.

Melissa Leong dished to stuff.co.nz about what happens when it’s time to taste the food.

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The MasterChef judges try every single dish prepared for them. Source: Ten

“I taste enough to inform my judgment,” she said. “Sometimes when something is especially tasty it is very difficult not to go back for a second, third or fourth bite.

“But part of the job is exercising restraint.

“There are definitely days where I do not need to have dinner or lunch because I do most of my eating on camera.”

Are the dishes still warm when the judges try them?

The temperature of the meals really depends on the type of challenge faced by the contestants.

One source told Refinery29 that in the jaffle episode last season, all of the toasties were eaten immediately. However, in some challenges, the judges have to cop a slightly cooler dish.

Nonetheless, Brent told So Dramatic! that judges must judge the dish as if it’s warm.

What happens to the leftover food?

We’ve all seen the judges absolutely scoff down plates of food like little culinary piggies. But quite often they’ll just have a nibble and toss it aside for the next delectable morsel.

But what happens to this leftover food?

Well, as it turns out, after the judges have a taste, the contestants are allowed to eat the food. They’re even encouraged to take it home.

The contestants take the leftover food home. Source: Ten

Former contestant Simon Toohey once said the cooked dishes are put into the compost bin “or they get spread around to people like us and the crew”.

“There is actually zero waste within the MasterChef kitchen, which is unreal,” he quipped.

Leftover produce and perishables from MasterChef‘s ginormous pantry are donated to SecondBite, a not-for-profit food rescue organisation that helps end food waste and food insecurity in Australia.

Do the contestants get extra time after the clock stops in challenges?

Sadly, once the clock stops, there isn’t any additional time provided to the contestants.

However, if the dish involves an element that needs to be poured or served in front of the judges, contestants are allowed to present these finishing touches at the tasting table.

Brent also told So Dramatic! that the contestants aren’t allowed to make any quick fixes when it comes to plating.

Do the MasterChef contestants choose what they wear?

Whilst the MasterChef judges are styled on set, the contestants have to choose their own outfits.

MasterChef contestants have to dress themselves. Source: Ten

This means they’re able to get creative not only with their dishes but through their clothes! And we’ve seen some truly epic accessorising on MasterChef. Who could forget Julie Goodwins bacon and egg earrings or Alvin Quah‘s funky shades?

Want even more goss? Listen to the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto below!

Know something that we don’t? Spill the tea here!

Get the tea first! Follow So Dramatic! on Instagram and tune in on Mondays to get your reality tea fix with the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto.