MasterChef 2012

Masterchef Returns With New Format

BBC One's MasterChef will return next Tuesday for its eighth series with a new format.

The new series will see 24 contestants chosen from a selection of amateur chefs who are tasked with cooking a dish for judges Gregg Wallace and John Torrode, with the group then whittled down to 12 via a series of challenges including the infamous invention test.

Torrode said: "It's a new year, a new MasterChef, bundles of talent, huge amounts of potential, amazing cooking - now the fight can begin."

Gregg added: MasterChef is back and the eighth series is very exciting. We've got some fantastic talent cooking their hearts out in some truly outstanding places. As we know, cooking does not get tougher than this."

Waveguide, 10/01/12.

Welcome, very welcome.



PS - They seem to change the format every year.

Begins tomorrow.

Masterchef crew dine on leftovers

MASTERCHEF presenter Gregg Wallace has admitted that the show's crew tuck in to contestants' creations after filming.

Viewers of the BBC contest see fantastic dishes cooked and tasted — but never find out what happens to them afterwards.

Gregg said: "What a lot of people want to know is what happens to all the food.

"The raw food gets divided up by the youngsters in the crew — talented young people who've just begun their careers and aren't necessarily earning very much.

"The cooked food is devoured by the filming crew. A lot of them carry their own cutlery!"

The Sun, 17/01/12.



Pleased to learn that it is not being wasted.

Akki being told off in the professional kitchen for not washing her hands ... LOL.

Good start.

Things are hotting up on Masterchef.

' ... The final 12 prepare for a baptism of fire as they face each other in the kitchen for the first time.

Each chef has to produce a top-nosh dish for their guests – who know exactly how high standards should be.

They are previous winners and finalists ...'

Full piece, the Sun, 24/01/12.



Great twist.

A great episode. So many old friends.

I do feel that the woman with the soggy pastry should have gone, but there you have it.

That vegetarian moussaka looked lovely. I do a great lamb moussaka, but I now feel inspired to try a vegetarian version.

IMO they were lucky to all get through. I suspect that may have something to do with the contestant that was forced to drop out because of ill health. I thought she was good, hope she gets another chance next year.

Sorry to see Emma go. I liked her contributions, though her latest effort was a complete disater compared to others.

Liked that picnic meal. from Akki. I thought it was near genius and that it did all go together.

Off to Cumbria now and Akki's disastrous brownie and messy apron suggest to me that she is not likely to last much longer.

Excellent series.

Here's one I made earlier… MasterChef accused of faking scenes as collapsed souffle mysteriously 'rises'

- Contestant's dish was a flop, but viewers were shown an 'absolutely stunning' souffle standing proudly

- 26-year-old plasterer Tom Rennolds boasted: 'I haven't had one sink yet'

- He stays in contest and is favourite to win as bosses admit scenes were altered and he had the chance to cook two souffles ...

Full article, Mail Online, 17/02/12.



I sort of accept the explanation given by Masterchef. It seems fair to me.

But, but, but ... why not just be honest and open about it to begin with? In other words let the audience know what is going on.

Goodbye Akki. Not a surprise.

Akki's 'messy' cooking style never sat very comfortably with the Masterchef judges. I felt that she was never probably assessed on the quality and innovation of her food.

Really sorry to see J leave. He cooks my kind of food.

MasterChef crowns Shelina Permalloo its 2012 winner

TV cooking show MasterChef has crowned Shelina Permalloo as its 2012 winner.

Shelina, from Tooting, south London, beat Andrew Kojima and Tom Rennolds in the show's final to become the second woman to win the title in eight years.

The 29-year-old, whose family is originally from Mauritius, said she was "completely and utterly overwhelmed".

Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace praised her cooking, saying she brought "sunshine to a plate" and was a "very special cook".

Her winning menu was an octopus starter, mutton curry and a dessert of mango cannelloni filled with lime curd ...

Full article, BBC, 15/03/12.

Octopus, yuk!

I couldn't pick a winner out of the 3 finalists, but well done to Shelina. I wish I could cook like that lot.