Masterchef Australia

Basq

Absolute essential viewing these days but it seems to have been on every weekday for the last 3 months. Not much left I'd say!

Quite different to the UK one but it's good fun and the contestants are much more memorable and engaging than the UK version. The chefs / judges seem friendly but odd (when two contestants were naming 24 ingrediants in a curry as a face-off, the balding chef was revealing them.. and he just looked increasingly menacing) and the food critic is an absolute arsebag and is obviously modelled on the restaurant critic in Little Britain - both in personality and appearance.

The theme tune they're using for it on 'Watch' is absolutely atrocious (lyrics like "turn the heat up baby, we're on fire.. so come on!").. they obviously couldn't get rights to use the original (Katy Perry's "Hot and Cold").

Anyone else watching it?

PS - last night's edition of the UK version with the 4 semi-finalists cooking in The Tower of London was great viewing though.

Mr E

Yeah I was watching Masterchef Aus last summer through.. um... other means. Its a great format - almost like the UK version crossed with a standard elimination reality show.

The person who wins it (no spoilers!) came a long way from the start, thats for sure.

Worth checking out too is Celebrity Masterchef Australia. It aired a few months ago, it was only 10 episodes, and I had only known about 3 of the celebs. Gary, George and Matt are still the judges too.

Season 2 is due to start this month in Australia I think..... can't wait.

As for the UK version, its great as usual. Just watching the restaurant critic episode now. Jesus, Kate Spicer is as dour as usual....

Basq

Mr E wrote: »

The person who wins it (no spoilers!) came a long way from the start, thats for sure.

Unfortunately.. Digital Spy ruined the winner for me!

Mr E wrote: »

Season 2 is due to start this month in Australia I think..... can't wait.

Yeah, think I might watch it using ummm.. "other sources".. as it airs in Oz!

Mr E wrote: »

As for the UK version, its great as usual. Just watching the restaurant critic episode now. Jesus, Kate Spicer is as dour as usual....

Her face would curdle cream alright! :eek:

I reckon Alex (or "Chris Martin" as I call him) will walk it this year. Said he was a superb cook when I first saw him cooking in the playoffs and he's just gone from strength to strength.

PS - what was "Amy Winehouse" thinking with straight gin jelly?! Sounds like the critics couldn't detect a hint of tonic.

Mr E

Yeah I know what you mean, Brian. Gin Jelly sounded horrible. Her smiley face course wasn't the best idea either....

If you're looking for another good aussie cooking show, look out for My Kitchen Rules (just finished last week, 15 episodes). Another really good format .... a bit like a serious Come Dine With Me with very likeable contestants, and turns into a Masterchef-ish show with sudden death elimination challenges towards the end.

Dinkie

+1 for aussie masterchef. I was really surprised when X won. I was full sure it would be someone else. I love the way its really constructive criticism and not as negative as masterchef uk. Love Matt Moran also -- crazy as a bat but brilliant. And George is sexy in a wierd way....


I actually have made the stuffed squid (really easy and yummy) and the open kofta (again yummmm).


I watched the first UK masterchef last night. I enjoyed it, but not a patch on Oz. Hoping show show Oz masterchef as soon as this series is over. Am really going to miss it.

Mr E

So UK finale on now, good so far.
Who is FTW?

Basq

I still reckon the Chris Martin lookalike has it in the bag!

But it'll very close.. although I'd probably most suprised if Dhruv wins (but I think that's due to him falling behind twice during the challenges in India, but his food was always good).

Very tough to call!

Mr E

Alex messed up the invention test though.....

Basq

Congrats to

Dhruv!

(in case anyone has it Sky +'ed).