A MasterChef Australia insider has shared a little known secret about how the food is actually judged on the show.

Weekly challenges task contestants with preparing dishes for the judges to taste and critique.

While contestants wait for their plates to reach the judging panel, the food often passes its best state.

Instead, the judges taste the dishes while contestants are still in the cooking process.

‘It is actually impossible to try all the food piping hot and therefore the judges taste each contestant’s food while they are cooking,’ the insider told Yahoo. 

A MasterChef Australia insider has shared a little known secret about how the food is actually judged on the show. Pictured, judge Poh Ling Yeow

While contestants wait for their plates to reach the judging panel, the food often passes its best state. Instead, the judges taste the dishes while contestants are still in the cooking process. Pictured, judge Andy Allen

The judges are specifically told ‘not to discuss their final thoughts with each other until the participants are in front of them so that it feels more natural when they share their opinions on each dish’. 

The plated versions of the dishes are judged much later than expected, often when the food has cooled for filming.  

‘Each contestant will usually get 20 minutes to make sure all the judges have been able to express their opinions… It’s a long process, especially at the start where there are 20+ participants,’ they added. 

Andy Allen has returned to the Channel Ten cooking show alongside some new faces in a panel shake-up.

Andy Allen has returned to the Channel Ten cooking show alongside some new faces in a panel shake-up. Pictured: Sofia Levin, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Poh Ling Yeow

He is joined by French celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, Melbourne-based food critic Sofia Levin, and MasterChef season one runner-up Poh Ling Yeow.

They replace outgoing judge Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo, who tragically died last year.

The new lineup has since received mixed reactions on social media, with many fans taking to X to weigh in on their judging skills.

‘Feels weird without Mel and Jock but looking forward to these new judges,’ one commented.

‘I do love Poh… she’s my favourite ever contestant from that show,’ another added.

Another agreed: ‘Living for Poh’s chaotic energy. So happy she’s back on my screen!’