The cheating scandal erupted on MasterChef Australia this week, when judge Matt Preston tasted a contestant’s dish before it was finished.
And now former contestant Hayden Quinn has revealed that the judges always taste the dishes before they’re presented in judging.
Speaking on Popsugar’s Popcast, Hayden said they do so because when the food arrives at judging, it’s typically cold.
The truth behind the MasterChef cheating scandal: Experts taste the contestants’ food during cooking because the finished dishes will be COLD by the time they judge them (pictured is judge Matt Preston)
Explaining the behind-the-scenes of shows like MasterChef and Family Food Fight of which he appeared on, Hayden said viewers don’t realise how long it takes to film the show.
‘It’s a huge process to go from uncooked produce, to cooked produce, to then be tasted,’ Hayden said.
‘If you’re tasting 24 dishes, they’ve got to cool it, get it in the fridge and store it and then they have to shoot it. It’s cold food basically.’
Spilling all: Former MasterChef contestant Hayden Quinn (pictured) has revealed that the judges always taste the dishes before they’re presented in judging
Keeping an eye on things: ‘You’ve got the three judges walking around checking out the food and eye balling it and tasting it as it goes,’ he said
‘You walk around and you’re tasting and trying the dishes as they’re cooking them.’
‘You’ve got the three judges walking around checking out the food and eye balling it and tasting it as it goes,’ he said.
Hayden added that there are also various people on set, monitoring the food and how it is prepared.
‘And then you have like three food techs, plus two chefs that work in the production team…plus everyone in the control room. A lot of eyes on food and then the tasting.’
Smart! Hayden said when he was on MasterChef, he’d cook his main dish and offer judges a side dish with things like his sauce, so that they could try it while it’s hot
Hayden said when he was on MasterChef, he’d cook his main dish and offer judges a side dish with things like his sauce, so that they could try it while it’s hot.
He added about the judges and the final tasting: ‘They know what it’s going to taste like before it gets to that point.’
On Sunday, shocked MasterChef viewers accused Matt Preston of breaking the rules by tasting contestant Jess Liemantara’s dish before she finished cooking.
Causing a stir: On Sunday, shocked MasterChef viewers accused Matt Preston of breaking the rules by tasting contestant Jess Liemantara’s (pictured) dish before she finished cooking
Outrage: But after seeing Matt take a bite of Jess’ incomplete dish, viewers were shocked and some declared it to be a violation of the show’s competition rules
‘I’m so proud that you’re doing something totally different from what you normally do. That’s really good. And it tastes delicious,’ said Matt to Jess.
But after seeing Matt take a bite of Jess’ incomplete dish, viewers were shocked and some declared it to be a violation of the show’s competition rules.
One viewer wrote: ‘Isn’t Matt tasting Jess food before cheating?’
‘When we finally have our Royal Commission into #MasterChefAU judging, Matt pre-tasting Jess’ dish and giving advance feedback is going to be the first cab off the rank,’ joked another fan.