Masterchef Australia new series

[Magnalux]

My favourite show, I see it’s back on Monday on W, it’s going to be very strange watching this series knowing Jock has passed away. I really liked him.

Had a right giggle at Declan’s misspeaking, more his face than anything! Oh Declan

It feels like there's a clear winner from here. Maybe it's edited to make you think that, but I think one is definitely stronger than the other 2 (deliberately being vague in case people don't like spoilers).

Is anyone else feeling quite sad knowing that it's almost the last time we'll see Jock on screen though? It feels very different watching something in the knowledge of what's coming. I think the last episode is going to be pretty emotional. And I assume there will be something at the end too, to acknowledge it.

Unrelated to any of that - just realised there have been no masterclasses this series, which I'm not at all sad about as I always used to think they were unnecessary fillers. I wonder why they left them off this year.

Spoiler alert if you're not caught up......

I think that if the final is between the two boys, it could go either way on the day. Declan has strong skills when he's cooking his own food and in control and he's good at taking the big swings. Brent is the same although I think he's a bit more adaptable. It also depends on what the final is - it can vary a bit from memory.

If Rhiannon makes it into the final, I think it's unlikely she'll win.

@ReviewingTheSituation I agree and have felt that way for the last few weeks.

@GingerIsBest you're right - the final has varied in format a bit. When it was Emilia vs Laura (?) they had to do a 3 course service challenge for the final, and I think each course got marked. But it sounds like that's the semi final this year.

One year (in the recent past) it was a just a pressure test, which infuriated me no end as the final should be a test of their own cooking/ideas, not how how well they followed someone else's recipe.

Then there was another year with a 3 part challenge - I think a mystery box, a pressure test and a something else. I liked that one as it was a good test of different skills.

You're right about Declan, but I'm still fairly sure Brent will beat him. Rhiannon unlikely to make it past the semi final I reckon.

Super surprised (annoyed) Rhiannon made it this far tbh!

There's something about Rhiannon that annoys me, can't think what though!

I am sad that we'll never see Jock again. Be interesting to see if Andy and Mel stay on next season and someone else joins them

I think middle aged women are easy to dislike. But I have grown to quite like her. I feel like she's a lot smarter than she comes across, she's raised her family, she knows who she is and she's just getting on with it.

The last 3 is not what I expected. I'm dreading the final tomorrow I know I'll cry if they do anything for jock.

Get the tissues ready @GrandTheftWalrus - they surely can't not do something for Jock. Whether it will just be a 'in memory of...' screen with a pic of him, or a montage of his best bits is anyone's guess. The latter would be a tough watch I'd say.

I think someone said upthread that there is a tribute. I imagine it'll be difficult for Mel and Andy if they stay on next year.

They done that at the start of the series so I'm assuming they'll do something bigger at the end.

I'm writing this on behalf of my mum who loves MasterChef Australia and would love to join in this conversation

It's a bit shouty but far more interesting than M C here in UK. Sad loss of judge Jock earlier in year.
I like Andy too, but judge Melissa usually wearing old curtains does not impress me!
I wonder who other viewers have been rooting for in the contestants? Brent has been brilliant so far and we are at the semi finals.
I'm 80 and only discovered W back in January.

I'm watching last nights semi final. And it feels like the final. Does this mean its going to be a pressure test for tonight's?

It did look like a pressure test. Which is just so wrong for the final (if that's the only thing they do).

The mega service challenge (last night) is good, but it's never going to be the most amazing/your best food, because what you cook for 23 people is never going to have the wow factor of cooking for 1 (or 3).

I just looked up last year's final on Wiki - they had 2 challenges in the final, one of which was a pressure test. Let's hope there's something else in there today too.

It also said they had 5.5hrs to do the service challenge in the semis last year (vs the 4hrs Declan/Rhiannon had yesterday). That's a big difference!

Also - why invite all the previous contestants back and not let them be part of the dining audience? They'd be much better rather than 60 randoms who just rock up and eat (and we never get to hear what they think of it).

Yes - the pressure test had better just be step 1. It's totally unfair not to let them cook their OWN food in the final!!

won't be able to watch live tonight as I'm off to see the Taylor Swift movie! But will be watching tomorrow at some point.

I do like the guest chef they have coming in tonight. I watch his videos on Instagram. Some of his creations are amazing.

That was an emotional watch.

I knew the winner in advance so no surprise there.

Found it all very sad though.

I think Brent was going to be in the final from the start. They loved him TOO much.

It was a bit bland this series over all.

Poor jock

Brent had such a huge advantage that I don't think anyone could have caught up.

I really liked Robbie and felt he went too soon and Declan was hilarious and grew the most.

I can't imagine what they'll do next, while I'd hate Andy and Melissa to be out of a job, due to Jock, a whole new panel and another reboot feels like it makes more sense

I've just finished watching. Was very sad at the end.

I was right about the winner as well.

I was googling MCA and one of the rumours is that they'll just have Andy and Mel presenting it to keep costs down. I have noticed since covid they don't seem to leave the kitchen much.

It's true that they go off site less but I'm not sure that just Mel and Andy would work. Neither of them were the decisive ones and always looked to J for their opinions!

I think they probably sold it to Brent that if he comes back he gets put through.

I love MCA but they do need to do something to freshen it up again. They didn't even show the selections this year.

They’ve definitely cut their budget over the last few years. I remember years where they went to London and Paris and New York. Not all the same season!

It’s their most expensive programme to make but also the most successful I think but the channel is struggling so I think they will definitely keep costs down.

Be really interesting to see where they go with the format next season. I think they definitely need a third judge for balance.