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Masterchef confirms move to Melbourne

MasterChef Australia exits Sydney and relocates to a new home at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds.

TEN has confirmed MasterChef Australia will have a new home at the Melbourne Showgrounds, from 2013.

As reported by TV Tonight, the Alexandria kitchen in Sydney was no longer available for production, following the sale of the premises.

TEN Chief Programming Officer, David Mott, said “This is an exciting move for MasterChef Australia’s viewers and sponsors.

“What better way to explore fresh, new cuisines than to head to what is arguably Australia’s food capital?

“The Melbourne Showgrounds offers an exciting opportunity to create a new environment for MasterChef Australia, with a new kitchen, new challenges and new locations in Victoria’s acclaimed food and wine regions.

“We figure it is way past time we let our contestants loose in Melbourne. We can’t wait for MasterChef Australia 2013.”

Shine Australia Chief Executive, Mark Fennessy, added: “Since 2009, MasterChef Australia has enjoyed a wonderfully successful run in NSW. Filming in Melbourne represents an exciting new chapter for the world’s most popular cooking show.”

The Showgrounds site has previously been home to other TV productions including Thank God You’re Here and The Librarians.

The switch will come as bad news to NSW politicians, eager to retain production jobs in Sydney, but good news for the three judges and executive producer all of whom are Melbourne-based. The show has previously filmed in Melbourne for several seasons, including its 2012 premiere at the Royal Exhibition Buildings.

Applications for series five of MasterChef Australia are now open at www.masterchef.com.au.

9 Responses

  1. The current location of MC kitchen (Doody Street, Alexandria – look it up on Google Maps or Nearmap) gives a sense of security and privacy as it is located in an industrial area. Putting the show at a prominent location as Melbourne Showgrounds could pose security problems. The producers will also need to find a big mansion in exclusive suburbs such as Brighton or Toorak for the contestants to live for the duration of the show.
    On the other hand, moving the show to Melbourne means more local chefs will get the chance to appear, and as the filming of the show coincides with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in March, it will be easier to invite overseas chefs to appear as well.

  2. Perhaps they can employ some of the staff from Everybody Dance Now who will be looking for a new job?
    This was the worst kept secret in TV. I think everybody knew it was off to Melbourne.
    Will it save the franchise? Probably not.

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