Insiders spill the beans on what really goes on behind the scenes.
It’s more than just clever editing that creates all the on-screen drama. From styling to proposals, everything we see is fake! Past and present contestants exclusively tell all.
‘You don’t cook at home’
No wonder some teams struggle finding their way around the kitchen – it’s not theirs! Teams cook in hired or borrowed homes that meet the producers’ strict criteria.“The kitchen must be completely separate from the dining room so guests don’t hear what is going on and vice versa,” explains an insider. Same for the bathroom.
‘You’re watched’
Shockingly, when contestants are cooking, they’re being supervised by chefs. “When Pete and Manu claim they can taste the meat hasn’t rested long enough or contestants have used packet stock, it is because they’re fed this information by the professionals through their ear pieces,” reveals a past contestant.
‘You get given a menu’
Ever wondered why some teams struggle to whip up their meals during the instant restaurant rounds? Well, turns out contestants only find out their theme and menu at 6pm the night before. Producers pluck themes and meals from the three theme ideas and eight menus contestants submit at auditions. “And contestants are strongly encouraged to try unfamiliar techniques,” says a former contestant. This can have devastating effects.“[Last year] Helen and Steve submitted their family favourite moussaka but were told they had to deconstruct it for their instant restaurant,” says a source. “Then they were slammed by the judges for not keeping it true to their family’s traditional format.”
Read more about the MKR secrets in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday March 4, 2013.
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