Release Date
PremieredMasterChef Australia Season 1 released on April 27, 2009.
Your Progress
Track your watching progress by signing in
Sign In to Track ProgressSeasons
Sydney Sizzles
The search for Australia's next star chef starts with audition tours in Sydney and Adelaide; Chef Gary Mehigan is among the judges.
Audition 2
The search for Australia's next star chef continues with audition tours in Brisbane and Perth; With food critic Matt Preston.
Audition 3
The last round of auditions takes place in Australia's food capital, Melbourne, before the Top 50 head to Sydney for three days of intense cooking challenges.
Top 50 (1) - Taste Test
In the first ever Masterchef Australia elimination challenge, 12 contestants fighting for their place in the competition choose from a large variety of fresh ingredients and have just 45 minutes to be as creative as possible to impress the judges.
Top 50 (2) - Fish Market Frenzy
The bottom 12 contestants are told at the Sydney Fish Markets that they have 2 hours and $50 to buy produce, get back to the Masterchef kitchens and cook their meal.
The Top 20 Revealed
In the first mystery box challenge, contestants must use their creativity skills to cook a meal from minimal ingredients.
20 Ways with Chicken
The contestants arrive in Sydney, where they are shown their new pad and given challenge in the MasterChef kitchen.
Sam And The Sausage
The winner of the Chicken Challenge faces a one-on-one Celebrity Chef Challenge against Manu Feildel.
Sushi Stress
Sushi Restaurant Team Challenge
The First Cut
The losing team from the sushi train challenge must decide who is their weakest member, and who will be leaving the competition.
Cooking With The Masters
Gary and George provide the contestants with an opportunity to learn from the best, and demonstrate how to perfect mashed potatoes and a rack of lamb.
Rabbit Season
Invention Test 1 - Italian theme. The contestants are in for a shock when one contestant announces that they will be leaving the competition.
The Tarte Tatin Test
The bottom three contestants go head to head in the pressure test, and strive to make an apple tarte tartin in 45 minutes.
Brent vs Boetz
Longrain Restaurant's Executive Chef goes head to head against a contestant to make a Thai salad, and the judges decide the winner.
Banquet Wars
The teams each prepare a feast for guest judge, Curtis Stone.
A Blow for Brent
Team Elimination - The Blue Team, headed by Brent, faced elimination
Class Is In
Masterclass 2 - Class is in - Poached Egg Salad with Tomato Tea (consume), Roast Saddle of Rabbit with White Bean Puree.
Julia's Divine Dumplings
Invention Test 2 - Chinese theme. The contestants face a mystery box challenge that sees them asked to cook with oranges, chocolate, sugar, coconut, and eggs.
Attack of the Killer Squid
Pressure Test Elimination - Michelle, Sam and Kate had to cook squid in their challenge.
Julia and the Duck
The MasterChef contestant takes on the celebrity chef at his own game.
Aisle Panic
A three course meal for three food critics has the contestants in a tizz.
An Emotional Elimination
The winning team enjoy their victory and an Asian cooking course, the losing team must decide who will be leaving the competition. The blue team’s decision leaves more than one contestant upset.
Soufflés and Stir-fries
Masterclass 3 - Soufflés and stir-fries - Chilli and Fennel Squid, Chinese Mushroom Stir-fry with Tofu, Chocolate and Jaffa Soufflé. The contestants learn from China Doll's Frank Shek, and hear from Gary and George about what they could have done better in previous challenges.
The Steaks are Raised
The contestants face another Mystery Box, with half an hour to create a dish featuring snapper, chilli, eggs, and beer.
Sweet Success
The bottom three contestants are given 45 minutes to prepare a sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce.
Chris vs Alex Herbert
The contestants face a Celebrity Chef Challenge, and strive to produce a better gnocchi than the Bird Cow Fish's Alex Herbert.
Feeding Frenzy
The contestants split into two teams at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and try to get as many customers as possible into their tents.
Kate's Tough Decision
The losing team comes face to face with elimination, and the winners enjoy their reward, while friendships and emotions are put to the test. The team captain has the final say as to who should go.
The Perfect Chip
Masterclass 4 - The perfect chip - Snapper in a Bag and Chunky Chips, Risotto with Pumpkin and Goat’s Cheese, Rib Eye Steak with Red Wine Sauce and Spinach. Gary and George reflect on the dishes served by the contestants, and demonstrate how to cook a simple fish and chips with a snapper.
Best of British
The contestants must create designer cupcakes, and Chris decides that beer will act as his secret weapon ingredient. John Torode from the UK MasterChef rates the contestants.
Paella Pain
The bottom three contestants are challenged with cooking an authentic Spanish paella in just 45 minutes.
Justine vs Guy Grossi
Justine goes up against celebrity chef Guy Grossi from Florentino to determine who can cook the best Rock Lobster salad.
Fishy Business
The remaining contestants head out onto the rough seas beyond Sydney Heads, and learn to fillet fish and tube squid.
The Great Bait Debate
The winning team enjoy a reward, while the losing team must decide which of them will leave the competition. The blue team decides whether to send their captain home.
Lemon Goodness
Masterclass 5 - Lemon Goodness - Lobster Bisque, Tuscan Vegetable Soup, Roast Chicken with Buttery Potatoes, Lemon Diva cupcakes. Gary and George invite the contestants for another Masterclass, and demonstrate their recipes for lobster bisque, Tuscan vegetable soup, and roast chicken.
Double Trouble
The contestants are challenged with a taste test, with the winning contestant gaining an advantage in the competition.
Not So Sweet
The contestants face their toughtest pressure test yet as they strive to cook a croquembouche, and avoid elimination.
Lucas vs Ben O’Donoghue
Lucas goes up against celebrity chef Ben O'Donoghue, and cooks a seared kangaroo with creamed corn dish.
Canape Frenzy
The remaining contestants are split into two teams to prepare 600 canapés for the launch of the Martini Club at the Observatory Hotel.
And Then There Were Seven
The losing team from the Martini Club challenge are made to catch their votes and eliminate one person from the competition.
Sweet Treats
Masterclass 6 - Sweet treats - Fetta Blini with Smoked Beetroot, John Dory on the Bone with Vvegetables, Coffee éclairs with Vanilla Cream Filling. Gary and George take over the kitchen for a night of cooking lessons, and demonstrate how to prepare fetta blini, as well as vanilla ice cream.
Hits and Misses
Invention Test 6 - Two course meal
Terrine Trauma
Three contestants face the pressure test, and make smoked salmon terrine with hazelnut salad in just 90 minutes.
Justine vs Matt Moran
One contestant goes head to head against Aria's celebrity chef Matt Moran, with both of them preparing a poached pear tart.
Here Comes the Bride
The contestants cater a wedding on water.
Grain Pain
Taste Test Elimination - Poh and Sam named ingredients in a pot of minestrone.
Cocktail Hour
Masterclass 7 - Cocktail hour - Kingfish Skewers with Zucchini Salad, Piña Colada, Prawn Saganaki, Raspberry Tart
Hello Hong Kong!
Hong Kong - Arrival/Dim Sum Challenge
Old Faces Return
Three contestants are taken to Lamma Island, near Hong Kong, to visit a local fishing village, and compete with a guest chef.
Truffletastic!
Celebrity Chef Challenge 8 - Tam Kin Pak
Battle of the Sexes
Hong Kong - Mystery Steamer Challenge and Super Challengee.
Sweet and Sour
Pressure Test Elimination - Justine and Julie landed in the bottom 2 and had to make a sweet and sour duck stir fry
Show and Tell
Masterclass 8 - Fried Rice, Hot Salami Pizza, Seared Scallops with Braised Pork Belly, Lemon and Date Scones
Love is in the Air
Invention Test 7 - Three course meal, 'Romance' theme
Vision Quest
The contestants compete without the the threat of elimination, and put together their very own dream menus.
Andre vs Emmanuel Stroobant
One contestant goes up against Belgian chef Emmanuel Stroobant, and cook scampi with mushrooms and potatoes.
All at Sea
The remaining four contestants are shocked by the return of three former competitors, and cater for the crew of HMAS Kanimbla.
Thyme Out
The bottom two contestants face off in a taste test, and attempt to identify the ingredients in a Moussaka.
Shanks and Soufflés
Masterclass 9 - Crepes Suzette, Twice Baked Cheese Souffle, Braised Lamb Shanks, Open Beef Kofta
Christmas in July
The remaining contestants have to cook their own sausages, and run into some trouble operating the sausage makers.
Macaroon Madness
The bottom four contestants face one of the competition's trickiest pressure tests, and attempt to make a vanilla panacotta with macarons.
Julie vs Adrian Richardson
Celebrity Chef Challenge 10 - Adrian Richardson
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Matt Preston's Formal Dinner Challenge - The contestants had to cook for a dinner party hosted by Matt Preston for four leaders of the Australian food industry, Armando Percuoco, Margaret Fulton, Jacques Reymond and Cheong Liew. The five of them assessed the contestants' dishes, with the two worst performers being nominated for elimination
Taste Test
Taste Test Elimination - Andre and Chris, had to guess ingredients in a pot of Sri Lankan curry
Winter Warmers
Master Class 10 - Pork and Fennel Sausages with Baked Beans, Roast Salmon and Artichokes with Red Wine Sauce, Chocolate Cigar with Sabayon
Finals Fever
Invention Test 9 - In the first challenge of the Finals Week, the contestants were asked to cook a meal under ten dollars using ingredients bought from the pantry that was converted into a supermarket
Pie Wars
Elimination Challenge 1 - The contestants had to make two pies - one sweet and one savoury, making their own pastry.
Poh's Advantage
Elimination Challenge 2 - As Poh had won the pie challenge she designated Malaysian as the theme and picked coconut cream and ling fish for the core ingredients. The contestants had 90 minutes to make two courses.
No Piece of Cake
Elimination Challenge 3 - The third elimination challenge emulated the pressure test challenge where the contestants had to make a several layered 'Chocolate Mousse' cake.
And Then There Were Two
Elimination Challenge 4 - The final elimination round before the final saw the contestants cooking the dishes they would include in self-authored recipe books with cookbook writer Donna Hay acting as the guest judge
The Tables Are Turned
Masterclass Reunion - The Top 20 contestants were reunited in the final Masterclass and revealed what they have been up to since leaving the show. Poh and Julie also challenged George and Gary to a Mystery Box Challenge.
The Grand Finale
Finale Night - Poh and Julie competed against each other in three rounds consisting of a Taste Test, an Invention Test and a Pressure Test. Points would be earned for each test, with the winner decided based on the final tally after the three tests.
MasterChef Australia
Season 1
Release Date
PremieredMasterChef Australia Season 1 released on April 27, 2009.
Your Progress
Track your watching progress by signing in
Sign In to Track ProgressSydney Sizzles
The search for Australia's next star chef starts with audition tours in Sydney and Adelaide; Chef Gary Mehigan is among the judges.
Audition 2
The search for Australia's next star chef continues with audition tours in Brisbane and Perth; With food critic Matt Preston.
Audition 3
The last round of auditions takes place in Australia's food capital, Melbourne, before the Top 50 head to Sydney for three days of intense cooking challenges.
Top 50 (1) - Taste Test
In the first ever Masterchef Australia elimination challenge, 12 contestants fighting for their place in the competition choose from a large variety of fresh ingredients and have just 45 minutes to be as creative as possible to impress the judges.
Top 50 (2) - Fish Market Frenzy
The bottom 12 contestants are told at the Sydney Fish Markets that they have 2 hours and $50 to buy produce, get back to the Masterchef kitchens and cook their meal.
The Top 20 Revealed
In the first mystery box challenge, contestants must use their creativity skills to cook a meal from minimal ingredients.
20 Ways with Chicken
The contestants arrive in Sydney, where they are shown their new pad and given challenge in the MasterChef kitchen.
Sam And The Sausage
The winner of the Chicken Challenge faces a one-on-one Celebrity Chef Challenge against Manu Feildel.
Sushi Stress
Sushi Restaurant Team Challenge
The First Cut
The losing team from the sushi train challenge must decide who is their weakest member, and who will be leaving the competition.
Cooking With The Masters
Gary and George provide the contestants with an opportunity to learn from the best, and demonstrate how to perfect mashed potatoes and a rack of lamb.
Rabbit Season
Invention Test 1 - Italian theme. The contestants are in for a shock when one contestant announces that they will be leaving the competition.
The Tarte Tatin Test
The bottom three contestants go head to head in the pressure test, and strive to make an apple tarte tartin in 45 minutes.
Brent vs Boetz
Longrain Restaurant's Executive Chef goes head to head against a contestant to make a Thai salad, and the judges decide the winner.
Banquet Wars
The teams each prepare a feast for guest judge, Curtis Stone.
A Blow for Brent
Team Elimination - The Blue Team, headed by Brent, faced elimination
Class Is In
Masterclass 2 - Class is in - Poached Egg Salad with Tomato Tea (consume), Roast Saddle of Rabbit with White Bean Puree.
Julia's Divine Dumplings
Invention Test 2 - Chinese theme. The contestants face a mystery box challenge that sees them asked to cook with oranges, chocolate, sugar, coconut, and eggs.
Attack of the Killer Squid
Pressure Test Elimination - Michelle, Sam and Kate had to cook squid in their challenge.
Julia and the Duck
The MasterChef contestant takes on the celebrity chef at his own game.
Aisle Panic
A three course meal for three food critics has the contestants in a tizz.
An Emotional Elimination
The winning team enjoy their victory and an Asian cooking course, the losing team must decide who will be leaving the competition. The blue team’s decision leaves more than one contestant upset.
Soufflés and Stir-fries
Masterclass 3 - Soufflés and stir-fries - Chilli and Fennel Squid, Chinese Mushroom Stir-fry with Tofu, Chocolate and Jaffa Soufflé. The contestants learn from China Doll's Frank Shek, and hear from Gary and George about what they could have done better in previous challenges.
The Steaks are Raised
The contestants face another Mystery Box, with half an hour to create a dish featuring snapper, chilli, eggs, and beer.
Sweet Success
The bottom three contestants are given 45 minutes to prepare a sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce.
Chris vs Alex Herbert
The contestants face a Celebrity Chef Challenge, and strive to produce a better gnocchi than the Bird Cow Fish's Alex Herbert.
Feeding Frenzy
The contestants split into two teams at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and try to get as many customers as possible into their tents.
Kate's Tough Decision
The losing team comes face to face with elimination, and the winners enjoy their reward, while friendships and emotions are put to the test. The team captain has the final say as to who should go.
The Perfect Chip
Masterclass 4 - The perfect chip - Snapper in a Bag and Chunky Chips, Risotto with Pumpkin and Goat’s Cheese, Rib Eye Steak with Red Wine Sauce and Spinach. Gary and George reflect on the dishes served by the contestants, and demonstrate how to cook a simple fish and chips with a snapper.
Best of British
The contestants must create designer cupcakes, and Chris decides that beer will act as his secret weapon ingredient. John Torode from the UK MasterChef rates the contestants.
Paella Pain
The bottom three contestants are challenged with cooking an authentic Spanish paella in just 45 minutes.
Justine vs Guy Grossi
Justine goes up against celebrity chef Guy Grossi from Florentino to determine who can cook the best Rock Lobster salad.
Fishy Business
The remaining contestants head out onto the rough seas beyond Sydney Heads, and learn to fillet fish and tube squid.
The Great Bait Debate
The winning team enjoy a reward, while the losing team must decide which of them will leave the competition. The blue team decides whether to send their captain home.
Lemon Goodness
Masterclass 5 - Lemon Goodness - Lobster Bisque, Tuscan Vegetable Soup, Roast Chicken with Buttery Potatoes, Lemon Diva cupcakes. Gary and George invite the contestants for another Masterclass, and demonstrate their recipes for lobster bisque, Tuscan vegetable soup, and roast chicken.
Double Trouble
The contestants are challenged with a taste test, with the winning contestant gaining an advantage in the competition.
Not So Sweet
The contestants face their toughtest pressure test yet as they strive to cook a croquembouche, and avoid elimination.
Lucas vs Ben O’Donoghue
Lucas goes up against celebrity chef Ben O'Donoghue, and cooks a seared kangaroo with creamed corn dish.
Canape Frenzy
The remaining contestants are split into two teams to prepare 600 canapés for the launch of the Martini Club at the Observatory Hotel.
And Then There Were Seven
The losing team from the Martini Club challenge are made to catch their votes and eliminate one person from the competition.
Sweet Treats
Masterclass 6 - Sweet treats - Fetta Blini with Smoked Beetroot, John Dory on the Bone with Vvegetables, Coffee éclairs with Vanilla Cream Filling. Gary and George take over the kitchen for a night of cooking lessons, and demonstrate how to prepare fetta blini, as well as vanilla ice cream.
Hits and Misses
Invention Test 6 - Two course meal
Terrine Trauma
Three contestants face the pressure test, and make smoked salmon terrine with hazelnut salad in just 90 minutes.
Justine vs Matt Moran
One contestant goes head to head against Aria's celebrity chef Matt Moran, with both of them preparing a poached pear tart.
Here Comes the Bride
The contestants cater a wedding on water.
Grain Pain
Taste Test Elimination - Poh and Sam named ingredients in a pot of minestrone.
Cocktail Hour
Masterclass 7 - Cocktail hour - Kingfish Skewers with Zucchini Salad, Piña Colada, Prawn Saganaki, Raspberry Tart
Hello Hong Kong!
Hong Kong - Arrival/Dim Sum Challenge
Old Faces Return
Three contestants are taken to Lamma Island, near Hong Kong, to visit a local fishing village, and compete with a guest chef.
Truffletastic!
Celebrity Chef Challenge 8 - Tam Kin Pak
Battle of the Sexes
Hong Kong - Mystery Steamer Challenge and Super Challengee.
Sweet and Sour
Pressure Test Elimination - Justine and Julie landed in the bottom 2 and had to make a sweet and sour duck stir fry
Show and Tell
Masterclass 8 - Fried Rice, Hot Salami Pizza, Seared Scallops with Braised Pork Belly, Lemon and Date Scones
Love is in the Air
Invention Test 7 - Three course meal, 'Romance' theme
Vision Quest
The contestants compete without the the threat of elimination, and put together their very own dream menus.
Andre vs Emmanuel Stroobant
One contestant goes up against Belgian chef Emmanuel Stroobant, and cook scampi with mushrooms and potatoes.
All at Sea
The remaining four contestants are shocked by the return of three former competitors, and cater for the crew of HMAS Kanimbla.
Thyme Out
The bottom two contestants face off in a taste test, and attempt to identify the ingredients in a Moussaka.
Shanks and Soufflés
Masterclass 9 - Crepes Suzette, Twice Baked Cheese Souffle, Braised Lamb Shanks, Open Beef Kofta
Christmas in July
The remaining contestants have to cook their own sausages, and run into some trouble operating the sausage makers.
Macaroon Madness
The bottom four contestants face one of the competition's trickiest pressure tests, and attempt to make a vanilla panacotta with macarons.
Julie vs Adrian Richardson
Celebrity Chef Challenge 10 - Adrian Richardson
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Matt Preston's Formal Dinner Challenge - The contestants had to cook for a dinner party hosted by Matt Preston for four leaders of the Australian food industry, Armando Percuoco, Margaret Fulton, Jacques Reymond and Cheong Liew. The five of them assessed the contestants' dishes, with the two worst performers being nominated for elimination
Taste Test
Taste Test Elimination - Andre and Chris, had to guess ingredients in a pot of Sri Lankan curry
Winter Warmers
Master Class 10 - Pork and Fennel Sausages with Baked Beans, Roast Salmon and Artichokes with Red Wine Sauce, Chocolate Cigar with Sabayon
Finals Fever
Invention Test 9 - In the first challenge of the Finals Week, the contestants were asked to cook a meal under ten dollars using ingredients bought from the pantry that was converted into a supermarket
Pie Wars
Elimination Challenge 1 - The contestants had to make two pies - one sweet and one savoury, making their own pastry.
Poh's Advantage
Elimination Challenge 2 - As Poh had won the pie challenge she designated Malaysian as the theme and picked coconut cream and ling fish for the core ingredients. The contestants had 90 minutes to make two courses.
No Piece of Cake
Elimination Challenge 3 - The third elimination challenge emulated the pressure test challenge where the contestants had to make a several layered 'Chocolate Mousse' cake.
And Then There Were Two
Elimination Challenge 4 - The final elimination round before the final saw the contestants cooking the dishes they would include in self-authored recipe books with cookbook writer Donna Hay acting as the guest judge
The Tables Are Turned
Masterclass Reunion - The Top 20 contestants were reunited in the final Masterclass and revealed what they have been up to since leaving the show. Poh and Julie also challenged George and Gary to a Mystery Box Challenge.
The Grand Finale
Finale Night - Poh and Julie competed against each other in three rounds consisting of a Taste Test, an Invention Test and a Pressure Test. Points would be earned for each test, with the winner decided based on the final tally after the three tests.