MasterChef Australia fans and previous contestants are calling for the reality TV series to bring back a beloved segment in the spirit of its upcoming ‘Back to Win’ season.

Until season 15, which aired in 2023, the Channel 10 series featured MasterClass episodes which saw guest celebrity chefs teaming up with the judges to prepare a dish and display some of their tips for the contestants and viewers at home.

The MasterClasses had been a signature dish on the MasterChef menu since season one, alongside challenges like Mystery Boxes and Pressure Tests — but were ultimately dropped.

Season 15 runner-up Rhiannon Anderson is returning to the kitchen this year for Back to Win, alongside more than 20 fan favourites from previous seasons.

The Townsville cook told Yahoo Lifestyle she found it ‘quite bizarre’ that the show scrapped such an important ingredient from its recipe.

‘I would have loved a MasterClass,’ Rhiannon said.

‘I guess because it was a quicker season, it was just one of those things that was like, we’ve just got to get through it.

‘It would have been good, but you know what, you get the mentoring throughout the season as it is.’

MasterChef Australia fans and previous contestants are calling for the reality TV series to bring back a beloved segment in the spirit of its upcoming ‘Back to Win’ season. Pictured: Former judge Melissa Leong in 2020

Many fans have taken to social media to pressure the MasterChef producers to bring back the MasterClasses for its upcoming seventeenth season in 2025.

‘I enjoyed them, just throw in a few. In a 60-episode season, it adds some variety,’ one fan wrote on Reddit.

‘I absolutely loved them. It elevates the show distinctly from the US version, among other things. It validates the focus on the food and the techniques’.

Channel 10 has confirmed that the season will feature ‘extra special guest chefs’, alongside judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling-Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Sofia Levin — but it is not clear in what capacity.

‘I love MasterChef and have been a devoted viewer for many years,’ one passionate viewer posted to a fan Facebook group when the MasterClasses were discontinued.

‘My only disappointment with this season is we haven’t had any MasterClasses with the judges. I loved watching them in past seasons, especially with Jock [Zonfrillo] & Andy [Allen]. I wonder why this is?’

Until season 15, which aired in 2023, the Channel 10 series featured MasterClass episodes which saw guest celebrity chefs teaming up with the judges to prepare a dish and display some of their tips for the contestants and viewers at home. Pictured: Late judge Jock Zonfrillo

Season 15 runner-up Rhiannon Anderson (pictured) is returning to MasterChef kitchen in 2025 for the 17th season of the series and has joined viewers in calling for a return of MasterClasses

One viewer speculated that they dropped MasterClass from the line up to avoid a ratings drop mid-way through the season.

‘Recent years have focused on tightening things up so they avoid mid-season audience drop off as occurred almost every year,’ they said.

It is not only viewers who have called for the segment to return this year, with 2024 contestant Juan de la Cruz Torales Villarreal also telling the publication he would ‘love to see them make a comeback.’

‘They really capture the heart of what MasterChef is all about: learning, growing, and sharing the love for food!’ he said.

‘I definitely think the MasterClasses added a lot of value to the show.

‘As a contestant, I would have loved to get the chance to learn directly from the judges and guest chefs. It would’ve been incredible to expand our repertoire and not just for us in the kitchen, but for viewers at home too.

‘They were such a great way to share skills, tips, and inspiration with aspiring cooks around the country.’