Pre-heat your ovens, MasterChef 2026 is just around the corner.
The long-running reality show, which saw a shake-up to the judging panel in 2024, has more changes on the way this season.
For the first time, judges Andy Allen, Sofia Levin, Poh Ling Yeow and Jean-Christophe Novelli will do the “apron auditions” themselves and narrow down this year’s hundreds of hopefuls to the top 24 contestants.
“We’re doing apron auditions,” Sofia told TV Week recently. “We’re narrowing it down from a larger number of people over the first few episodes to get to our Top 24.
“We’re doing that all on the spot and it’s completely up to us judges – rather than the producers, who usually bring us our Top 24. It’s an extremely energetic and thrilling way to start the season.”
Who are the MasterChef Australia 2026 guest judges?
Channel 10 will be bringing Australian celebrities and TV personalities into the MasterChef kitchen as guest judges this season, shaking up its usual roster of celebrity chefs.
The celebrities revealed so far include I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here co-host Robert Irwin and Cold Chisel lead singer Jimmy Barnes and his wife, Jane.
“I couldn’t come here without bringing you something special,” Jimmy says to the contestants in the teaser clip which was released in March.
“Jimmy Barnes and Robert Irwin are big celebrities to have in the kitchen,” Sofia told TV Week.
“With Robert, there’s a big reference to Australia within the challenge because he is Mr Australia. A lot of people don’t realise what they do with the accommodation and restaurant they have at Australia Zoo, and his connection to food. With these guests, they bring their stories with them too.”
Maggie Beer, Adriano Zumbo, MasterChef Australia alumni Justine Schofield and international chef Rick Stein will also share their wisdom with the contestants throughout the season, while social media stars DimSimLim, Andy Cooks, Recipes by Victoria’s Victoria Minell, and biteswithlily’s Lily Huynh will be there to guide the budding chefs through the fierce competition.
While this season is so close we can almost smell the delicious aromas of the MasterChef kitchen, we’re still waiting for Channel 10 to introduce us to this year’s fresh crop of contestants.
When does MasterChef 2026 premiere?
The 2026 season of MasterChef Australia will premiere on Channel 10 and 10play on April 19.
