TV Show Review | Masterchef Australia All Star: Bland for those who prefer spice!

If viewers still got an appetite for more Masterchef after overwhelming every piece of the British, American, Australian, Kiwi and Indian versions of the show, an early evening development from television's most successful food franchise might be to your taste, but expect a few variations on the tried and trusted recipe along the way. Masterchef Australia enters your kitchens once again, with Masterchef Australis All Stars.

 

The line-up of contestants for the show comprised of a healthy serving of winners, a handful of runners-up, and a dash of memorable also-rans from the first three seasons of Masterchef Australia. The show welcomes the cooks who return to the kitchen in a bid to be crowned the best of the best. This time around, the smiling chefs are challenged with raising money for their chosen charities.

 

Like the nuances, generally associated with the show, All Stars also has something to offer! Gone are the dramatic moments of tension, the catty comments; replaced by an atmosphere of culinary companionship and friendly co-operation that will have you checking the listings to confirm that you've tuned into the right show. Unlike the usual winner-takes-all battle for personal glory, All Stars is a team-based affair with no nail-biting eliminations, no sarcastic put-downs from the judges and very little of the ‘pressure-cooker’ atmosphere normally associated with Masterchef. The first thing one shall notice about this version of the show is that the ambience couldn't be more different to that of its prime time predecessor.

 

 

The team-based structure allows for a bit more friendly communication between the contestants, and with the pressure off, there's more focus on the food, and less on the manufactured drama and tension you'd normally expect from a reality show cook-off.

 

So with elimination, rivalry, criticism and negativity all off the menu, what are we left with? The food, as one would expect, is pretty impressive. With an increased focus on quick, simple meals that can be prepared at home, the recipes are a bit more accessible than some of the demanding dishes more commonly associated with the show, and its 5pm slot means that it is vital viewing for anyone looking for a bit of pre-dinnertime inspiration before heading into the kitchen.

 

Still, it's impossible to shake the impression that Masterchef All Stars is a programme stripped of its vital ingredient, the very thing that most viewers expect when tuning in. Team Adgully gives Masterchef Australia All Stars first episode at not-so-tasty 2.5 stars out of 5. Perhaps the light-hearted tone is more suited to its selected viewers, but the overall flavour is a little bland for those who prefer their food shows with a little more spice! | By Ankita Tanna [ankita(at)adgully.com]