Ahead of tonight’s premiere on 10 and 10 Play, network EP and Paramount’s head of non-scripted Sarah Thornton; Endemol Shine’s director of content, Melbourne Marty Benson; and new co-host Sofia Levin spoke with Mediaweek about how the new season is changing things up and why it continues to be a hit with audiences.
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Slight correction, the contestant who won the opening cooking challenge would not only claim the immunity pin, but also got to fly to London, see Jamie Oliver again, and work at his latest restaurant Catherine Street in London for one week.
This episode was dedicated to one of the show’s producers, Jarred Bocca, who has died.
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Jammed packed first episode.
This episode was dedicated to Jarred Bocca, a producer of the show.
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Jammed packed indeed. But it will get even better tomorrow night with their first service challenge with a few surprises and few legends joining the show. 
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The preview said 40 MasterChef legends. While there are many familiar names, there are many faces that I had not seen on TV for many years.
Hopefully the show’s social media accounts will reveal the identities after tomorrow’s episode.
EDIT: last time the show held a mini reunion of past contestants was the season 10 semi final, which aired on July 30, 2018.
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Wow. What a way to ruin the surprise
Pretty great opening ep, haven’t watched it in a while but it certainly was jam packed with intro to new judges, intro to contestants, Jamie intro and then cooking challenge.
After season 16’s first episode finished in the eastern states tonight, 10 revealed that applications were now open for season 17.
https://10play.com.au/masterchef/articles/apply-now-for-masterchef-2025/tpa240422tboej
No audition process aired again, and perhaps for the last few seasons. Did I hear correctly that it was a top 22?
I wonder if the theme song will return (Hot and Cold) after a year break?
Yes this is the top 22 of season 16.
More on the dedication at the end of the episode.
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I really liked the intro at the start of the episode reflecting on the show, past seasons, judges etc before introducing the new ones.
What I don’t like are these first episodes that are basically just a cook what you want challenge. I find it quite boring to start the season off that way. It just seemed to drag. I would prefer a big challenge to kick it off to give it more of a bang. Something big at a location but even a mystery box, invention test or pressure test would be good. There’s plenty of opportunities for the contestants to showcase their own cooking style with an open pantry and half the cast barely got any airtime anyway.
It also feels like there are too many judges. We’ve basically gone from 3 to 5. They have Jamie there so he should really be utilised and the tasks should really be based around him these first couple of weeks. We have the rest of the season to get to know the new judges more. The french guy seems like a good addition from a coaching/mentoring perspective but personality wise he seemed a bit dull. Hopefully he can open up a bit more as it goes on.
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Australian Gas Networks is one of the new sponsors for this season and will return for season 17. Season 3 runner up Michael Weldon did a cooking demonstration on a hydrogen BBQ during an event organised by AGN and Paramount yesterday.
Edit: press release from AGN
Karl Sfefanovic dated one of the judges for a bit when he got divorced and before he met Jasmine. I can’t tell you which one…
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Was it Sofia??
Honestly, who cares?
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It was Jamie Oliver! 
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We still use plasma TVs???
Thought it was dropped in part due to rights costs?