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Step Inside the Historic Melbourne Space Where ‘MasterChef Australia’ is Filmed

If you’ve ever tuned in to Australia’s favourite cooking competition and found yourself thinking, “where is MasterChef Australia filmed?” you’re not alone. In fact, it’s perfectly understandable! With every ingredient, appliance and utensil under the sun, a little kitchen envy is only natural, right?

This season, MasterChef Australia: Secrets and Surprises is ready to challenge a whole new crop of hopeful home cooks. The Top 18 are ready to be put to the test, and the series is set to premiere shortly.

The MasterChef Australia 2023 start date was originally scheduled for Monday, May 1, 2023. Just hours before the episode was set to air, though, Network Ten confirmed the sudden passing of MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo.

Now, with the full support of Zonfrillo’s familyMasterChef Australia 2023 will proceed. The premiere episode is now set to go to air on Sunday, May 7.

Production on MasterChef Australia: Secrets and Surprises had already wrapped, which means Jock Zonfrillo will appear throughout the entire season.

Where Is MasterChef Australia Filmed?

Australia’s favourite cooking competition is filmed at Centenary Hall, which is located at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

Built in 1934, Centenary Hall has been used for a range of activities over the years, including the Royal Melbourne Show. In fact, the hall was originally constructed to accommodate displays of farm and dairy produce. It would also house district exhibits during the show.

The space has been used to shoot several other productions as well. Other shows that have filmed at Centenary Hall include Channel Nine’s Lego Masters, as well as Thank God You’re Here.

MasterChef Australia's filming location, Centenary Hall at the Melbourne Royal Showgrounds.
Centenary Hall. Image credit: Melbourne Royal.

What’s Inside Centenary Hall?

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the hall is “soundproofed and air-conditioned” with the purpose-built studio now housing a “fully functioning commercial kitchen, ‘boucherie’, herb garden, locker room, wine reception area, 120-seat restaurant and pantry.”

Many of the global versions of MasterChef are filmed on sound stages constructed specifically for the show, but this is not the case for MasterChef Australia. Rather, executive producer Margie Bashfield sought ”a real bricks-and-mortar building that you could see and touch”.

It’s one of the elements gives MasterChef Australia an added layer of authenticity. In a time where so many reality shows have come to feel more produced than ever, perhaps it’s just one of the reasons we keep tuning back in to MasterChef Australia.

MasterChef Australia: Secrets and Surprises premieres Sunday, May 7 at 7.30pm, only on 10 and 10 Play on Demand.

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