MasterChef New Zealand

MasterChef New Zealand
The MasterChef New Zealand Logo for the first six series
Also known asMasterchef NZ
Genre
Created byFranc Roddam
Judges
  • Ross Burden (series 1)
  • Ray McVinnie (series 1–5)
  • Simon Gault (series 1–5)
  • Josh Emett (series 2–6)
  • Al Brown (series 6)
  • Mark Wallbank (series 6)
  • Nadia Lim (series 7)
  • Vaughan Mabee (series 7)
  • Michael P Dearth (series 7)
Opening theme
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of series7
No. of episodes97
Production
Production locationAuckland
Running time60–90 minutes
Production companiesImagination Television (2010-2015)
Screentime NZ and Discovery NZ (2022-present)
Original release
Network
Release3 February 2010 (2010-February-03) –
present
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

MasterChef New Zealand is a New Zealand competitive reality television cooking show based on the original British version of MasterChef.

The first episode aired on 3 February 2010 at 7:30pm on TV One. Throughout its history, the show has featured judges Ross Burden, Ray McVinnie,[1] Simon Gault,[2] Josh Emett,[3] Al Brown and Mark Wallbank.

The series is similar to the format of MasterChef Australia, whereby contestants compete in weekly elimination challenges, both individually and in teams. The major difference is the number of episodes per week: the New Zealand series only had two episodes, in contrast to Australia's six.

The first series was won by Brett McGregor, over runner-up Kelly Young, in the grand finale which was screened on 28 April 2010.[4] Nadia Lim won the second series, beating runner-up Jax Hamilton in the finale. The third series was won by Chelsea Winter, who beat runner-up Ana Schwarz in the finale. Series four was won by Aaron Brunet, and series five by sister duo Karena and Kasey Bird.

In October 2014, TVNZ announced it had axed the show, after 5 seasons.[5] Later that month, TV3 announced that it would take up the format in 2015.[6] In October 2015, TV3 announced that MasterChef New Zealand would not be returning in 2016.

In November 2021, TV3 announced Masterchef NZ would return after a six-year hiatus.[7]

  1. ^ "AUT's MasterChef Judge". AUT News. Auckland University of Technology. 28 October 2009. Archived from the original on 9 November 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  2. ^ "Undercover on MasterChef NZ". Fairfax New Zealand. 24 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Meet Josh Emett". TVNZ. 2011.
  4. ^ "NZ Crowns first Masterchef". 28 April 2010.
  5. ^ Wakefield, Phil (8 October 2014). "MasterChef NZ's Goose is Cooked". Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  6. ^ "TV3 Announces 'Bigger Than Ever' Show Line-Up For 2015". 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  7. ^ "Apply for MasterChef New Zealand". www.threenow.co.nz. Retrieved 17 November 2021.