Alongside the delicious food and heartwarming stories, it’s without a doubt that MasterChef Australia boasts a dynamite roster of celebrity guests. But who gets to pick their challenges, and do the guest judges get a say in what goes on in their episode?
This year’s season of MasterChef Australia is jam-packed with stars (including our beloved judging panel, of course!). Punters can expect to see the likes of Robert Irwin, Meghan Markle, Adriano Zumbo, and so much more grace the iconic kitchen as the competition rages on.
And when a big star crosses that MasterChef Australia kitchen island, a massive challenge is set upon our unsuspecting contestants.
I’m thinking Zumbo’s Croquembouche, Clare Smyth‘s Malteser and Hugh Allen‘s Banksia Pod (that went viral because it looked like poo poo).
Do MasterChef Australia guest judges get to pick their challenges?
Speaking to PEDESTRIAN.TV ahead of his appearance on Viral Week, Khanh Ong revealed that he got to “brainstorm” with the MasterChef Australia team when it came to curating his challenge, which was to cook up a bold sanga with an Insta-worthy cross-section.
“We got to brainstorm like ideas of what I like, what I am kind of known for and which direction I want to go in,” Khanh shared.
“So that was a really cool experience. But to be honest, my favourite thing is that they just let me wear whatever I want to,” he shared.
Want To Stay Up-To-Date
With PEDESTRIAN?
Get today’s best stories in your inbox every afternoon.
“And I was like, I don’t have to wear a T-shirt, and I can really, really dress up for this, because I’m not cooking!”
Reflecting on his return to the MasterChef Australia kitchen, Khanh admitted it was “nerve-wracking” and gave him flashbacks to eliminations. However, he enjoyed his experience on the other side of the bench.
“I thought that I’ll come in, I’ll be like, ‘Yeah, I’m a judge, it’s fine’. I walked back in, and I was so nervous,” Khanh shared.
“It all comes flooding back to you. It’s like PTSD,” he laughed before adding that it was the countdowns and time calls that reminded him of his MasterChef Australia experience.
“I loved going [in]. I loved being on both seasons. I really enjoyed myself. I think it was the time calls, because I got to do some time calls,” he shared.
Making things a tad bit lighter, Khanh’s challenge was for an immunity pin, which Jackie clutched with her Bulgogi Philly Cheesesteak sandwich.
Honestly, I’d love to know what went down in the brainstorm and if Khanh came up with anything super crazy rather than the sanga challenge. But regardless, my mouth was watering for the entire episode!
Obsessed with reality TV? Check out PEDESTRIAN.TV’s new podcast Villain Edit, where we unpack all the wild, chaotic and messy moments from your favourite shows. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
Image source: 10Play / MasterChef Australia.
