Huge MasterChef question finally answered

Fourteen years after MasterChef first premiered, an insider has finally lifted the lid on one of its fans’ biggest questions about the cooking series.

A MasterChef insider has finally answered one of fans’ most burning questions: What in the world happens to all of that leftover food?

The high-pressure cooking show sees plenty of elaborate dishes plated up, only to be sampled with a single bite by each of the show’s three judges, Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen.

According to Now To Love, doggie bags are commonly brought in after the challenges with everyone encouraged to take home the leftovers.

MasterChef judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo. Picture: Ten

It comes after Leong recently confirmed to Stuff that she only ever takes one bite of each dish presented to her.

“Sometimes when something is especially tasty it is very difficult not to go back for a second, third or fourth bite,” she said.

“But part of the job is exercising restraint.”

Leong added that she skips lunch and dinner on judging days, saving her appetite for her on-camera meals.

There must be plenty of leftovers to go around after each cooking challenge.

Last week, Channel 10 revealed the long-running cooking series will premiere on May 1, with its 15th season, titled MasterChef Australia: Secrets & Surprises, serving up some changes on previous years.

Alongside the air date, the network also dropped a one-minute promo trailer for the show, which featured a magic garden-themed set-up starring the judges.

The popular cooking series has undergone some shake-ups this year, and will have a much shorter run time than usual. MasterChef has traditionally stretched out its run over two months with episodes airing four nights a week.

But this year, the decision was made for it to be more compact in a bid to maintain audience engagement.

Originally published as Huge MasterChef question finally answered