MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen reveals ‘strict’ change that completely flipped the show

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Andy Allen, a judge on MasterChef Australia, has shared a new, firm rule that’s significantly altered the show’s competition.

In a recent interview, the 37-year-old star reminisced about the show’s beginnings, when the entire cast shared a single house, similar to the setup on ‘Big Brother’.

Andy, the winner of the 2012 season, believes today’s competitors wouldn’t be able to handle the strict rules he faced back then.

He explained to Pedestrian that the show has changed a lot, and his season was the final one filmed using the original ‘Big Brother’ format.

The chef, a judge on MasterChef Australia since 2020, also remembered the numerous rules the show’s participants had to follow.

The owner, who used to be an electrician, explained that the people working at his establishment weren’t permitted to watch television or use their cell phones while on the property.

Just to clarify, when we say you’ll be living with the other contestants, that means sharing a space with about 24 people, ranging in age from around 19 to their mid-50s.

‘Males, females, all walks of life. Back then it was a lot more strict. 

We went straight from our home to the filming location and were confined there. We weren’t permitted to leave for meals or anything else.

Andy explained that the competition’s rules were designed to fully involve participants and let them concentrate on performing their best.

He believes people wouldn’t handle that situation well today. He also said it really brought out the best – and sometimes the worst – in the actors.

‘Now, it is really up to you how much you want to dip your toe in.’

During filming now, the contestants live together in an apartment building, with each room shared by a pair of competitors.

Producer Marty Benson confirmed to the publication that cast members can return home on weekends. 

He mentioned that competitors often practice together in informal settings, like dinner parties, and are allowed to use their phones during these sessions.

In 2012, at just 23 years old, Andy won MasterChef Australia by beating Julia Taylor in the final round.

Audra Morrice placed third.

Despite once admitting he was the least skilled cook in his MasterChef group, Andy has gone on to become one of the show’s biggest success stories.

On top of winning $250,000 and the head chef position at Three Blue Ducks, Andy has also written a book and started his own YouTube channel.

Andy co-owns The Three Blue Ducks, a restaurant with five locations across Australia. You can find them in Tullamarine (Melbourne), Byron Bay, Rosebery (Sydney), and the regional New South Wales towns of Nimbo and Bellingen.

In November, Andy announced he was expecting his first child with his wife, Alex.

The pair, who tied the knot in 2022, welcomed a boy, Jude Jackson, last month.

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2026-05-01 08:34