MasterChef: Back to Win co-host Andy Allen says the long-running series has earned global admiration for staying true to its core values, fairness, growth, and heart, with praise coming from some of the world’s top chefs.
“When you’ve got people like Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver speaking from the heart about how epic the Australian version is, and how everyone looks to us as leaders in this crazy franchise, that means something,” Allen told Mediaweek.
Allen, whose belief in the show is infectious, said it’s the way the reality TV show has managed to skirt the drama and consistently deliver on giving contestants a fair go.
Andy Allen and his fellow MasterChef: Back to Win judges, Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Sofia Levin.
“We’ve never strayed from what we’re good at, it’s always about uplifting people and getting the best out of them,” he said.
Even Ramsay, famous for his forthright opinions, took a back seat to the local crew when he appeared on the show. “That just goes to show, when someone like that steps in and just rolls with it, he trusts what we’ve built,” Allen said.
That approach appears to be paying off in spades. MasterChef Australia: Back To Win reached 1.27 million total viewers on Sunday 4 May, with a 604,000 national total audience, taking out the #1 timeslot in 16 to 39s.
The show has now reached 3.5 million total viewers season-to-date, delivering its biggest BVOD audiences ever.
Returning stars fire up the competition
Allen also pointed to this season’s “extraordinary” hunger to win, with returning contestants like Laura Sharrad back for a third shot at the title. “She walked in and basically dropped the mic. Said she’s here to win, and it lit a fire under everyone,” he said. “No one normally says that until three-quarters through filming. It was unreal.”
The returning All Stars aren’t just lifting the stakes, they’re setting the tone. “That energy rubs off. Everyone knows how life-changing this show can be. They don’t want to waste the opportunity.”
Allen, who won MasterChef in 2012, said that growth, both on and off the plate, remains the show’s real magic. “It’s an incubator of growth. Not just for cooks, but for people. And I don’t think that’ll ever change.”
Brand deals without the hard sell
And when it comes to brand integrations, increasingly critical in today’s commercial TV landscape, Allen praised the MasterChef production team for keeping it organic.
“They never force it. That’s a real skill. It doesn’t get shoved down the viewer’s throat,” he said. “You’re standing there, explaining a challenge, and it all just makes sense. That’s a credit to the production.”
With soaring ratings, international respect, and contestants pushing harder than ever, Allen believes the show is still hitting its stride. “We just need to keep doing what we’re doing, but do it better. There’s no need to stray from what’s made us one of the best in the world.”
MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 7.30pm On 10 And 10 Play