Celebrity MasterChef 2021: Ian Thorpe will surprise fans in new reality cooking series

The countdown is on for the premiere of Celebrity MasterChef. National entertainment writer Lisa Woolford provides a sneak peek. WARNING: Spoilers

Celebrity MasterChef contestant and Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe.

As a passionate MasterChef fan, I must confess to a few misgivings, mixed in with excitement, when Ten announced they were doing a celebrity version of their flagship cooking show.

Most were wiped with news of the solid cast – actors Rebecca Gibney and Matt Le Nevez, fashion designer Collette Dinnigan, Olympic great Ian Thorpe, singer Dami Im, radio host Chrissie Swan, comedian Dilruk Jayasinha, football giants from their respective codes, Archie Thompson and Nick Riewoldt and of course British TV presenter Tilly Ramsay with her cooking royalty pedigree from her dad, Gordon.

The Celebrity MasterChef cast with judges.

And an early look at the first episode shows I needn’t have worried at all. It’s a whole lot of fun.

Start with these 10 celebs out of their depth, mix in the energy and passion of judges Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, add a dash of encouragement and turn up the heat for 90 minutes and you have the perfect recipe for nights in front of the box.

Dilruk Jayasinha.

It’s pouring with rain as they arrive and walk the red carpet to enter MasterChef headquarters in a foreshadowing of what’s ahead, with the sweat pouring off some celebs as they finish their first challenge. Thorpey looks like he’s just done an intensive workout to prepare him for a gold medal race.

Tilly Ramsay.

Also, word of warning – do not watch this show on an empty stomach. Make sure you are well fed. With dishes such as a truly indulgent potato bake, the most divine roast chicken, fish tacos, bibimap, twice-cooked chips, curries, beef Wellington, you’ll be salivating.

Collette Dinnigan in action in the MasterChef kitchen.

But honestly the real joy is in seeing these celebs stripped back and their true personalities come to the fore. They’re fun, down to earth and – like most of us would be when faced with the famous MasterChef kitchen and pantry – a little overwhelmed.

Each one is completely out of their comfort zone, trading quips to cover their nerves.

“Are you ready?” yells Zonfrillo, ahead of starting the first challenge to cook a family meal, something that screams them on a plate.

“No,” Gibney yells back.

Rebecca Gibney.

As Jayasinha adds: “I can’t believe the first question I’ll ask in the MasterChef kitchen is how do I boil water?”

So can they cook? Yes, they can, But will they be able to stand the heat in the kitchen … well that remains to be seen.

Ian Thorpe.

It is unlikely one of them will whip out a chocolate creation to rival MasterChef alum, dessert king Reynold Poernomo’s Reynold’s Forbidden Fruit (and who can forget that chocolate mousse covered with raspberry coulis, ganache and cocoa-butter shaped as an apple), it is food that you’d want to eat around a table with your family. Or your friends. Food to warm the soul. Just like MasterChef does.

Celebrity MasterChef, Sunday October 10, 7.30pm, Ten

Originally published as Celebrity MasterChef 2021: Ian Thorpe will surprise fans in new reality cooking series