MasterChef’s jaw-dropping salaries are revealed – from Poh Ling Yeow’s lucrative deal with producers to guest judge Katy Perry’s six-figure fee
A MasterChef Australia ‘insider’ has lifted the lid on the salaries of the cooking show’s hosts, guest judges and contestants.
According to New Idea magazine, the returning competitors were able to negotiate deals worth tens of thousands of dollars each.
The biggest payday was reserved for celebrity guest judge Katy Perry, who secured an estimated $100,000 for her appearance.
The secret’s out! A MasterChef ‘insider’ has lifted the lid on the salaries of the cooking show’s hosts, guest judges and contestants. Pictured: hosts Andy Allen (left), Melissa Leong (centre right) and Jock Zonfrillo (right) with celebrity guest judge Katy Perry (centre left) in March
The Bon Appétit singer, 35, visited the set ‘under a military-like veil of secrecy’ while in Australia for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in March.
The publication did not disclose how much Gordon Ramsay was paid for his role as a recurring guest judge.
But considering his various TV roles in America and the UK, it’s likely he commanded a similar six-figure fee.
Not bad for a day’s work! The biggest payday was reserved for celebrity guest judge Katy Perry (left, with fiancé Orlando Bloom), who secured an estimated $100,000 for her appearance
In demand: The publication did not disclose how much Gordon Ramsay (left) was paid for his role as a recurring guest judge. But considering his various TV roles in America and the UK, it’s likely he commanded a similar six-figure fee
Season one runner-up Poh Ling Yeow and season three fan favourite Hayden Quinn were reportedly both paid $40,000.
While New Idea did not state the judges’ pay, their combined salaries were said to be ‘outweighed’ by the combined salaries of the contestants.
The three judges this year are Scottish-born restaurateur Jock Zonfrillo, food critic Melissa Leong and MasterChef season four winner Andy Allen.
Big money: Season one runner-up Poh Ling Yeow (left) and season three fan favourite Hayden Quinn (right) were reportedly both paid $40,000, according to New Idea
They replaced the show’s original judges, Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan, who quit last year over a salary dispute.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment.
Mystery: While New Idea did not state the judges’ pay, their combined salaries were said to be ‘outweighed’ by the combined salaries of the contestants