About this season
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. The show currently features judges Ray McVinnie, Josh Emett and Simon Gault. The series is similar to the format of MasterChef Australia whereby contestants compete in weekly elimination challenges, including team challenges. The major difference is the New Zealand series only has one episode per week compared to Australia's five per week. The first series was won by Brett McGregor, over runner-up Kelly Young, in the grand finale which was screened on 28 April 2010. 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.
Episodes (27)
1. Episode 1
Aired 21 February 2012
The hit local cooking competition is back, bigger and better than ever before. Over 1000 amateur cooks from around the country compete for just 25 places in the next round.
2. Episode 2
Aired 28 February 2012
At the MasterChef kitchen, the Top 24 contestants face a sudden death challenge to find who will go through to the Top 16.
3. Episode 3
Aired 6 March 2012
The Top 16 contestants move into the MasterChef mansion on Auckland's North Shore. That night they experience a rude awakening, with a surprise appearance from Simon Gault, who outlines their challenge: an all-night bake-off at Auckland's Loaf bakery, in which two teams must each bake eight different kinds of bread and deliver them to the Hilton Hotel's Fish restaurant in the morning for tasting. Very few of the contestants have any baking experience, and as the night unfolds, so do the dramas. As the two teams grapple with unfamiliar recipes and equipment, lack of sleep takes its toll and basic mistakes begin creeping in throughout the bakery.
4. Episode 4
Aired 13 March 2012
The Top 15 contestants must cook three classic takeaway dishes - fish and chips, hamburger and pizza - for The Food Truck star Michael van de Elzen.
5. Episode 5
Aired 20 March 2012
The Top 14 contestants make canapos for 130 guests on board the HMNZS Canterbury for the Royal New Zealand Navys 70th anniversary.
6. Episode 6
Aired 27 March 2012
The Top 13 face their spiciest challenge yet: to cook two dishes for guest chef Che Barrington, from Auckland modern Thai restaurant Moo Chow Chow.
7. Episode 7
Aired 3 April 2012
8. Masterclass 1
Aired 8 April 2012
After the excitement of seeing the MasterChef contestants in action every Tuesday night, MasterClass turns the tables and puts the MasterChef judges in the spotlight.
9. Episode 8
Aired 10 April 2012
10. Masterclass 2
Aired 15 April 2012
MasterChef judges Josh, Simon and Ray cook three simple but tasty dishes using everyday ingredients from the home fridge or pantry.
11. Episode 9
Aired 17 April 2012
The Top Nine contestants travel to Hawkes Bay for an invention test using spring lamb and fresh local produce.
12. Masterclass 3
Aired 22 April 2012
13. Episode 10
Aired 24 April 2012
The Top Eight contestants make a hamburger cake and a milkshake for baking maestro Mathew Metcalfe.
14. Masterclass 4
Aired 28 April 2012
Guest chef Mathew Metcalfe joins Josh Emett and Ray McVinnie to make three delectable desserts.
15. Episode 11
Aired 1 May 2012
The top seven contestants cook fine dining dishes for three guest chefs, Hayden McMillan, Nick Honeyman and Makoto Tokuyama.
16. Masterclass 5
Aired 5 May 2012
Guest chef Nick Honeyman from Cru restaurant joins Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie to cook three very different examples of modern New Zealand cuisine.
17. Episode 12
Aired 8 May 2012
The top six contestants cook a course each from the gourmet dinner menu at iconic New Zealand retreat Huka Lodge.
18. Masterclass 6
Aired 12 May 2012
Guest chef Michel Louws from Huka Lodge joins Josh Emett and Simon Gault to cook three hearty meat dishes.
19. Episode 13
Aired 15 May 2012
The top five contestants must replicate a challenging dessert created by award-winning chef, Michael Meredith.
20. Masterclass 7
Aired 19 May 2012
Josh Emett, Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie cook their favourite desserts.
21. Episode 14
Aired 22 May 2012
The Top Four contestants cook Business Class in-flight meals for Jetstar.
22. Masterclass 8
Aired 26 May 2012
Josh Emett, Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie cook three different cuts of beef.
23. Episode 15
Aired 29 May 2012
The Top Four contestants face two epic challenges in the culinary capital of Asia, Singapore.
24. Masterclass 9
Aired 2 June 2012
Street food master K.F. Seetoh and Eric Bost, the executive chef from Guy Savoy restaurant, join Ray McVinnie for a Masterclass in Singapore.
25. Episode 16
Aired 5 June 2012
The three semi-finalists try to impress cookbook queen Annabel Langbein with three dishes they'd like to include in their first cookbook.
26. Masterclass 10
Aired 9 June 2012
27. Grand Final
Aired 12 June 2012
The final two contestants take on four challenges in their bid to become New Zealand's next MasterChef.