10 announces launch date for MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites

The MasterChef kitchen is getting ready to open its doors for the MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites premiere on Monday, 18 April at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play on demand.

12 emerging home cooks will step into the MasterChef kitchen for the very first time, while 12 of MasterChef Australia’s most loved contestants will walk through the hallowed doors for a second time.

Whether their passion stems from feeding their family, creating culinary masterpieces on TikTok, or a desire to test their skills against some of the best cooks MasterChef Australia has ever produced, these 24 contestants from all over Australia share one common love – food.

The series was originally announced at the 10 upfront as Foodies Vs Favourites, and previous contestants Alvin Quah, Sarah Todd, Michael Weldon, and Julie Goodwin were confirmed to be taking part.

Once again, the action will unfold under the keen eye of judges Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo, and Andy Allen.

Speaking about the new season, judge Melissa Leong said: “We are back for another action-packed season of thrills, chills and kitchen spills… we couldn’t be more pumped! Add to that a handful of new MasterChef foodies going head-to-head with beloved characters from the MasterChef universe over the years… and then of course there’s Julie Goodwin! 

“If ever there was a time to feel connected through food, it’s now: MasterChef Australia is the hit of nostalgia, inspiration and feel-good fun we need as nation and Jock, Andy and I couldn’t be more excited to serve up a generous and heartfelt serving to audiences in 2022.”

The second night of last year’s MasterChef Grand Finale had 824,000 viewers as Justin Narayan was named the winner of the 2021 iteration of the show. 931,000 tuned in for the announcement of the winner as the show was the top non-news program of the evening and was #1 in all key demos.