I’m only now watching MasterChef Australia: Back to Win (season 12). A season or two behind. The winner has been announced. But I don’t much care. I still find it entertaining to watch the contestants conjure up delightful creations. And, discover who gets eliminated each week. I am maintaining the suspense and keeping it in ‘my present’ by avoiding anything MasterChef Australia-related on Google.

The last time I watched this cooking show was probably before I cancelled the Astro subscription several years ago. I won’t go into the why’s of that. On Netflix, there’s actually a dearth of watchable cooking programs. Whatever was on, I’ve watched them all. From Nailed It, Nadiya Bakes, Sugar Rush, The Big Family Cooking Showdown to The Final Table. I’m waiting for new episodes to be aired.

Hence, it is a fortuitous treat to be able to watch MasterChef Australia on YouTube, episode after episode, in a seamless fashion, when I feel like it. While my preference has and will always be baking competitions, for the obvious salivating factor, season 12 is particularly appealing and addictive on various levels.  

For me, the standout is the contestants. I recognise a few of them. All 24 were contestants in the previous 11 seasons. Many are already well-established and celebrated chefs in their own right. So, it’s inspiring that this pool of talented cooks, have taken time-off from their successful businesses and careers, to return to the ever dynamic, highly stressful and very competitive MasterChef kitchen. Confident enough in their own skills, expertise and experience to cook with, and against their peers on a very public platform. Hats off to every single one of them. The cynic in me thought aloud that a show of this magnitude is indeed a wonderful opportunity for personal and business growth and publicity. If they manage to garner both, hooray to them. Whatever the motivation, I think it’s courageous because any blunders and meltdowns are also on a very public platform.

I honestly don’t know anything for sure about this show. That said, I think most of the contestants on season 12 seem like genuinely nice people. They appear down-to-earth, friendly and supportive of each other. Not overly assertive or derisive like participants in reality shows from certain countries. There are a few besties amongst them but that’s how life is even outside the kitchen. Just like I have my own favourite people and preferences. The cynic in me also wondered if the nicey-nicey bits are staged. If they are, then the chefs not only cook well, they act well. I hope I am wrong. I want to be wrong because in the not-so-nice world that I live in – Covid-19, polarised views, widening rich/poor divide, political unrest/impunity and race/colour/religious/sexual discrimination, I hope this lot are just good people. Not good actors.

I also like how it showcases the diverse multi-cultural backgrounds of the contestants, and the varied cuisines that appear on the judges’ table week after week. I won’t attempt to cook any of the dishes presented as I have no interest at all. I do, however, enjoy watching the chefs use ingredients that I haven’t seen/heard before, cannot pronounce and mix and pair them with some unlikely meats, vegetables, indigenous produce and/or spices. And, construct mouth-watering, fancy meals with innovative cooking styles and equipment.

The three new judges are likeable particularly Melissa Leong. I wasn’t sure about her, at first, but she has grown on me. She seems a little quirky but rather kind and very encouraging. The first female judge since the show premiered in 2009. Yay! She’s also knowledgeable, on point and not reticent with her emotions. Yay!

So far, my favourite guest judges have been Gordon Ramsay and Katy Perry. Gordon Ramsay was surprisingly nice and a great mentor. Full of ideas and a super quick chef. As for Katy Perry, she was a winner. Hilarious. Natural. All over the kitchen floor. No-holds barred banter. She dominated the whole show. Thumbs up to MasterChef Australia for snagging her.

Twists Week was about, well… unexpected twists/changes. The team challenge required teams to switch kitchens and menus mid-way. While the Elimination Challenge saw chefs deprived of a long and complicated dessert recipe during the cook. What do I know about cooking? Nothing. Even so, it felt unfair to be judged on another team’s menu selection, and a sharper memory rather than skills. I liked the Takeaway Challenge. Apt in the current climate. All I have to do is look out my condominium unit. The streets of KL are dotted with delivery riders carting pink, green, yellow, orange and red boxes.

I didn’t plan to but I really enjoyed writing about MasterChef Australia as much as I am enjoying watching each episode unfold. I’m on episode 33. Suspense, intact. Shush…