The hit local cooking competition is back, bigger and better than ever before. Over 1000 amateur cooks from around the country compete for just 25 places in the next round.

At the MasterChef kitchen, the Top 24 contestants face a sudden death challenge to find who will go through to the Top 16.

The Top 16 contestants move into the MasterChef mansion on Auckland's North Shore. That night they experience a rude awakening, with a surprise appearance from Simon Gault, who outlines their challenge: an all-night bake-off at Auckland's Loaf bakery, in which two teams must each bake eight different kinds of bread and deliver them to the Hilton Hotel's Fish restaurant in the morning for tasting. Very few of the contestants have any baking experience, and as the night unfolds, so do the dramas. As the two teams grapple with unfamiliar recipes and equipment, lack of sleep takes its toll and basic mistakes begin creeping in throughout the bakery.

The Top 15 contestants must cook three classic takeaway dishes - fish and chips, hamburger and pizza - for The Food Truck star Michael van de Elzen.

The Top 14 contestants make canapos for 130 guests on board the HMNZS Canterbury for the Royal New Zealand Navys 70th anniversary.

The Top 13 face their spiciest challenge yet: to cook two dishes for guest chef Che Barrington, from Auckland modern Thai restaurant Moo Chow Chow.

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After the excitement of seeing the MasterChef contestants in action every Tuesday night, MasterClass turns the tables and puts the MasterChef judges in the spotlight.

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MasterChef judges Josh, Simon and Ray cook three simple but tasty dishes using everyday ingredients from the home fridge or pantry.

The Top Nine contestants travel to Hawkes Bay for an invention test using spring lamb and fresh local produce.

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The Top Eight contestants make a hamburger cake and a milkshake for baking maestro Mathew Metcalfe.

Guest chef Mathew Metcalfe joins Josh Emett and Ray McVinnie to make three delectable desserts.

The top seven contestants cook fine dining dishes for three guest chefs, Hayden McMillan, Nick Honeyman and Makoto Tokuyama.

Guest chef Nick Honeyman from Cru restaurant joins Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie to cook three very different examples of modern New Zealand cuisine.

The top six contestants cook a course each from the gourmet dinner menu at iconic New Zealand retreat Huka Lodge.

Guest chef Michel Louws from Huka Lodge joins Josh Emett and Simon Gault to cook three hearty meat dishes.

The top five contestants must replicate a challenging dessert created by award-winning chef, Michael Meredith.

Josh Emett, Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie cook their favourite desserts.

The Top Four contestants cook Business Class in-flight meals for Jetstar.

Josh Emett, Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie cook three different cuts of beef.

The Top Four contestants face two epic challenges in the culinary capital of Asia, Singapore.

Street food master K.F. Seetoh and Eric Bost, the executive chef from Guy Savoy restaurant, join Ray McVinnie for a Masterclass in Singapore.

The three semi-finalists try to impress cookbook queen Annabel Langbein with three dishes they'd like to include in their first cookbook.