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Why did MasterChef Australia judges quit?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on February 19, 2026

Why did MasterChef Australia judges quit?

MasterChef Australia judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris have quit the show after 11 seasons amid pay scandal involving Calombaris. The news comes amid calls to drop Calombaris after he came under fire for underpaying $7.8 million to his staff at his hospitality firm, Made Establishment.

Also, why did MasterChef judges quit?

Judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and the embattled George Calombaris are leaving reality cooking show MasterChef, with broadcaster Ten revealing it couldn't meet their demands for a pay rise. The announcement follows revelations last week Calombaris's companies had underpaid staff at his restaurants by nearly $8m.

Furthermore, how much do the judges get paid on MasterChef Australia? The trio - each on salaries in excess of $1 million - walked after 10 refused to up their pay by more than 40 per cent, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald understand. The cooking reality show - once the highest-rating program in Australia - will return in 2020, with a panel of new judges yet to be announced.

Likewise, what happened to MasterChef Australia judges?

The trio of younger, more diverse and considerably cheaper reality TV judges will replace the household names Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, who announced suddenly in July that they were leaving. Ten said at the time it could not meet the demands of the three former judges.

Does Gordon Ramsay own MasterChef?

MasterChef is an American competitive cooking reality TV show based on the British series of the same name, open to amateur and home chefs. For the first five seasons, the series starred celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay (the co-creator of the series and Hell's Kitchen), Graham Elliot and restaurateur Joe Bastianich.

How much do the MasterChef judges get paid?

Network 10 has pulled the plug on MasterChef judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris. The trio - each on salaries in excess of $1 million - walked after 10 refused to up their pay by more than 40 per cent, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald understand.

What are MasterChef judges doing now?

There's a new cooking competition coming to channel Seven and it has two ex-Network Ten Masterchef judges. Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan are heading over to the Seven Network for a new cooking show with Manu Feildel called 'Plate Of Origin' – a poor play on words with rival Nine's State of Origin NRL series.

Why MasterChef Australia is the best?

Having watched a MasterChef UK, Australia, US and India, in my opinion, MasterChef Australia is by far the best MasterChef there is. The quality of the recipes, the behavior of contestants, the calibre of the judges and the overall tone of the shows are far superior in the Australian version.

Has MasterChef Canada been Cancelled?

It premiered on CTV on January 20, 2014, and has currently aired its sixth season. The show stars three judges: Claudio Aprile, Michael Bonacini and Alvin Leung. Season 6 premiered on CTV on April 8, 2019, and ended on June 10. The series was renewed for a seventh season, which will be a Back to Win season.

How scripted is MasterChef Australia?

Most reality TV is heavily scripted, but the writers don't get much to do on MasterChef except jot down the rules of challenges and edit the verdicts into shape. Other than that, the drama is left in the hands of what the judges call the “Food Gods”.

Why Press Club Melbourne closed?

In July 2019, The Press Club closed, and was replaced by a new restaurant, Elektra. He complained that some of his restaurants were unprofitable on a Sunday because he was required to pay staff up to $40 an hour.

How do the MasterChef judges eat so much?

The judges have no choice, there is no way they could eat ll that food in the course of one day. They eat maybe two or three bites from each plate. From there, they just kin of move around the remains food until the is a cut or break in the filming.

How much is Gordon Ramsay paid for MasterChef?

The Chef That Ate The World: How Gordon Ramsay Earned $60 Million Last Year.

Why did the press club shut?

George Calombaris has announced that he will be closing Melbourne's The Press Club. The Hellenic fine diner has long been a beloved addition to the southern capital's fine dining scene, with Calombaris citing a need for change and 'a reinvention' at the heart of the decision.

Who won MasterChef Australia 2020?

Georgia

Do the MasterChef contestants get paid?

The contestants are given an allowance to cover expenses they may have each week. Some reports put it at around $500 though this is unconfirmed. While they may not be making a whole lot of cash, they certainly live a good life during filming.

Why does Matt Preston always wear a cravat?

So at what point exactly did the cravat happen? Was he born wearing one? “I was an 18-year-old punk in a mosh pit, who decided he'd put something around his neck so he didn't get cold when he was coming back on the night bus from the gig in London. And then it kind of stuck from there.”

How much do Top Chef contestants get paid?

According to "USA Today," the would-be pop stars don't get anything unless they reach the final 12, at which point they must join the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union, and they begin receiving a proper paycheck of at least $921 per episode.

What happened MasterChef leftovers?

You'll be pleased to know that nothing in the 'MasterChef' kitchen goes to waste, with the excess food heading straight to some very worthy causes. The program has an arrangement with Second Bite -- an organisation that works towards curbing two growing problems in Australia -- food waste and food insecurity.

Do you get paid to be on chopped?

And for Chopped contestants, it's a prize to the tune of $10,000. We asked Baldini what she did with her winnings, to which she responded that she put the money right back into her business to help it grow.

Can they use recipes on MasterChef?

"MasterChef" contestant Elise Mayfield told the AV Club that competitors aren't allowed to have any recipes with them, even for baked goods. The rules vary by show, of course, but having to memorize your formulas ahead of time is an added layer of stress for everyone competing.

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Why did MasterChef Australia judges quit?