EPISODE 01

The search for Australia's next star chef starts with audition tours in Sydney and Adelaide; Chef Gary Mehigan is among the judges.

Apr 27, 2009

EPISODE 02

The search for Australia's next star chef continues with audition tours in Brisbane and Perth; With food critic Matt Preston.

Apr 28, 2009

EPISODE 03

The last round of auditions takes place in Australia's food capital, Melbourne, before the Top 50 head to Sydney for three days of intense cooking challenges.

Apr 29, 2009

EPISODE 04

In the first ever Masterchef Australia elimination challenge, 12 contestants fighting for their place in the competition choose from a large variety of fresh ingredients and have just 45 minutes to be as creative as possible to impress the judges.

Apr 30, 2009

EPISODE 05

The bottom 12 contestants are told at the Sydney Fish Markets that they have 2 hours and $50 to buy produce, get back to the Masterchef kitchens and cook their meal.

May 1, 2009

EPISODE 06

In the first mystery box challenge, contestants must use their creativity skills to cook a meal from minimal ingredients.

May 3, 2009

EPISODE 07

The contestants arrive in Sydney, where they are shown their new pad and given challenge in the MasterChef kitchen.

May 4, 2009

EPISODE 08

The winner of the Chicken Challenge faces a one-on-one Celebrity Chef Challenge against Manu Feildel.

May 5, 2009

EPISODE 09

Sushi Restaurant Team Challenge

May 6, 2009

EPISODE 10

The losing team from the sushi train challenge must decide who is their weakest member, and who will be leaving the competition.

May 7, 2009

EPISODE 11

Gary and George provide the contestants with an opportunity to learn from the best, and demonstrate how to perfect mashed potatoes and a rack of lamb.

May 8, 2009

EPISODE 12

Invention Test 1 - Italian theme. The contestants are in for a shock when one contestant announces that they will be leaving the competition.

May 10, 2009

EPISODE 13

The bottom three contestants go head to head in the pressure test, and strive to make an apple tarte tartin in 45 minutes.

May 11, 2009

EPISODE 14

Longrain Restaurant's Executive Chef goes head to head against a contestant to make a Thai salad, and the judges decide the winner.

May 12, 2009

EPISODE 15

The teams each prepare a feast for guest judge, Curtis Stone.

May 13, 2009

EPISODE 16

Team Elimination - The Blue Team, headed by Brent, faced elimination

May 14, 2009

EPISODE 17

Masterclass 2 - Class is in - Poached Egg Salad with Tomato Tea (consume), Roast Saddle of Rabbit with White Bean Puree.

May 15, 2009

EPISODE 18

Invention Test 2 - Chinese theme. The contestants face a mystery box challenge that sees them asked to cook with oranges, chocolate, sugar, coconut, and eggs.

May 17, 2009

EPISODE 19

Pressure Test Elimination - Michelle, Sam and Kate had to cook squid in their challenge.

May 18, 2009

EPISODE 20

The MasterChef contestant takes on the celebrity chef at his own game.

May 19, 2009

EPISODE 21

A three course meal for three food critics has the contestants in a tizz.

May 20, 2009

EPISODE 22

The winning team enjoy their victory and an Asian cooking course, the losing team must decide who will be leaving the competition. The blue team’s decision leaves more than one contestant upset.

May 21, 2009

EPISODE 23

Masterclass 3 - Soufflés and stir-fries - Chilli and Fennel Squid, Chinese Mushroom Stir-fry with Tofu, Chocolate and Jaffa Soufflé. The contestants learn from China Doll's Frank Shek, and hear from Gary and George about what they could have done better in previous challenges.

May 22, 2009

EPISODE 24

The contestants face another Mystery Box, with half an hour to create a dish featuring snapper, chilli, eggs, and beer.

May 24, 2009

EPISODE 25

The bottom three contestants are given 45 minutes to prepare a sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce.

May 25, 2009

EPISODE 26

The contestants face a Celebrity Chef Challenge, and strive to produce a better gnocchi than the Bird Cow Fish's Alex Herbert.

May 26, 2009

EPISODE 27

The contestants split into two teams at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and try to get as many customers as possible into their tents.

May 27, 2009

EPISODE 28

The losing team comes face to face with elimination, and the winners enjoy their reward, while friendships and emotions are put to the test. The team captain has the final say as to who should go.

May 28, 2009

EPISODE 29

Masterclass 4 - The perfect chip - Snapper in a Bag and Chunky Chips, Risotto with Pumpkin and Goat’s Cheese, Rib Eye Steak with Red Wine Sauce and Spinach. Gary and George reflect on the dishes served by the contestants, and demonstrate how to cook a simple fish and chips with a snapper.

May 29, 2009

EPISODE 30

The contestants must create designer cupcakes, and Chris decides that beer will act as his secret weapon ingredient. John Torode from the UK MasterChef rates the contestants.

May 31, 2009

EPISODE 31

The bottom three contestants are challenged with cooking an authentic Spanish paella in just 45 minutes.

Jun 1, 2009

EPISODE 32

Justine goes up against celebrity chef Guy Grossi from Florentino to determine who can cook the best Rock Lobster salad.

Jun 2, 2009

EPISODE 33

The remaining contestants head out onto the rough seas beyond Sydney Heads, and learn to fillet fish and tube squid.

Jun 3, 2009

EPISODE 34

The winning team enjoy a reward, while the losing team must decide which of them will leave the competition. The blue team decides whether to send their captain home.

Jun 4, 2009

EPISODE 35

Masterclass 5 - Lemon Goodness - Lobster Bisque, Tuscan Vegetable Soup, Roast Chicken with Buttery Potatoes, Lemon Diva cupcakes. Gary and George invite the contestants for another Masterclass, and demonstrate their recipes for lobster bisque, Tuscan vegetable soup, and roast chicken.

Jun 5, 2009

EPISODE 36

The contestants are challenged with a taste test, with the winning contestant gaining an advantage in the competition.

Jun 7, 2009

EPISODE 37

The contestants face their toughtest pressure test yet as they strive to cook a croquembouche, and avoid elimination.

Jun 8, 2009

EPISODE 38

Lucas goes up against celebrity chef Ben O'Donoghue, and cooks a seared kangaroo with creamed corn dish.

Jun 9, 2009

EPISODE 39

The remaining contestants are split into two teams to prepare 600 canapés for the launch of the Martini Club at the Observatory Hotel.

Jun 10, 2009

EPISODE 40

The losing team from the Martini Club challenge are made to catch their votes and eliminate one person from the competition.

Jun 11, 2009

EPISODE 41

Masterclass 6 - Sweet treats - Fetta Blini with Smoked Beetroot, John Dory on the Bone with Vvegetables, Coffee éclairs with Vanilla Cream Filling. Gary and George take over the kitchen for a night of cooking lessons, and demonstrate how to prepare fetta blini, as well as vanilla ice cream.

Jun 12, 2009

EPISODE 42

Invention Test 6 - Two course meal

Jun 14, 2009

EPISODE 43

Three contestants face the pressure test, and make smoked salmon terrine with hazelnut salad in just 90 minutes.

Jun 15, 2009

EPISODE 44

One contestant goes head to head against Aria's celebrity chef Matt Moran, with both of them preparing a poached pear tart.

Jun 16, 2009

EPISODE 45

The contestants cater a wedding on water.

Jun 17, 2009

EPISODE 46

Taste Test Elimination - Poh and Sam named ingredients in a pot of minestrone.

Jun 18, 2009

EPISODE 47

Masterclass 7 - Cocktail hour - Kingfish Skewers with Zucchini Salad, Piña Colada, Prawn Saganaki, Raspberry Tart

Jun 19, 2009

EPISODE 48

Hong Kong - Arrival/Dim Sum Challenge

Jun 21, 2009

EPISODE 49

Three contestants are taken to Lamma Island, near Hong Kong, to visit a local fishing village, and compete with a guest chef.

Jun 22, 2009

EPISODE 50

Celebrity Chef Challenge 8 - Tam Kin Pak

Jun 23, 2009

EPISODE 51

Hong Kong - Mystery Steamer Challenge and Super Challengee.

Jun 24, 2009

EPISODE 52

Pressure Test Elimination - Justine and Julie landed in the bottom 2 and had to make a sweet and sour duck stir fry

Jun 25, 2009

EPISODE 53

Masterclass 8 - Fried Rice, Hot Salami Pizza, Seared Scallops with Braised Pork Belly, Lemon and Date Scones

Jun 26, 2009

EPISODE 54

Invention Test 7 - Three course meal, 'Romance' theme

Jun 28, 2009

EPISODE 55

The contestants compete without the the threat of elimination, and put together their very own dream menus.

Jun 29, 2009

EPISODE 56

One contestant goes up against Belgian chef Emmanuel Stroobant, and cook scampi with mushrooms and potatoes.

Jun 30, 2009

EPISODE 57

The remaining four contestants are shocked by the return of three former competitors, and cater for the crew of HMAS Kanimbla.

Jul 1, 2009

EPISODE 58

The bottom two contestants face off in a taste test, and attempt to identify the ingredients in a Moussaka.

Jul 2, 2009

EPISODE 59

Masterclass 9 - Crepes Suzette, Twice Baked Cheese Souffle, Braised Lamb Shanks, Open Beef Kofta

Jul 3, 2009

EPISODE 60

The remaining contestants have to cook their own sausages, and run into some trouble operating the sausage makers.

Jul 5, 2009

EPISODE 61

The bottom four contestants face one of the competition's trickiest pressure tests, and attempt to make a vanilla panacotta with macarons.

Jul 6, 2009

EPISODE 62

Celebrity Chef Challenge 10 - Adrian Richardson

Jul 7, 2009

EPISODE 63

Matt Preston's Formal Dinner Challenge - The contestants had to cook for a dinner party hosted by Matt Preston for four leaders of the Australian food industry, Armando Percuoco, Margaret Fulton, Jacques Reymond and Cheong Liew. The five of them assessed the contestants' dishes, with the two worst performers being nominated for elimination

Jul 8, 2009

EPISODE 64

Taste Test Elimination - Andre and Chris, had to guess ingredients in a pot of Sri Lankan curry

Jul 9, 2009

EPISODE 65

Master Class 10 - Pork and Fennel Sausages with Baked Beans, Roast Salmon and Artichokes with Red Wine Sauce, Chocolate Cigar with Sabayon

Jul 10, 2009

EPISODE 66

Invention Test 9 - In the first challenge of the Finals Week, the contestants were asked to cook a meal under ten dollars using ingredients bought from the pantry that was converted into a supermarket

Jul 12, 2009

EPISODE 67

Elimination Challenge 1 - The contestants had to make two pies - one sweet and one savoury, making their own pastry.

Jul 13, 2009

EPISODE 68

Elimination Challenge 2 - As Poh had won the pie challenge she designated Malaysian as the theme and picked coconut cream and ling fish for the core ingredients. The contestants had 90 minutes to make two courses.

Jul 14, 2009

EPISODE 69

Elimination Challenge 3 - The third elimination challenge emulated the pressure test challenge where the contestants had to make a several layered 'Chocolate Mousse' cake.

Jul 15, 2009

EPISODE 70

Elimination Challenge 4 - The final elimination round before the final saw the contestants cooking the dishes they would include in self-authored recipe books with cookbook writer Donna Hay acting as the guest judge

Jul 16, 2009

EPISODE 71

Masterclass Reunion - The Top 20 contestants were reunited in the final Masterclass and revealed what they have been up to since leaving the show. Poh and Julie also challenged George and Gary to a Mystery Box Challenge.

Jul 17, 2009

EPISODE 72

Finale Night - Poh and Julie competed against each other in three rounds consisting of a Taste Test, an Invention Test and a Pressure Test. Points would be earned for each test, with the winner decided based on the final tally after the three tests.

Jul 19, 2009