MasterChef behind the scenes secrets: What happens to all the leftover food will shock you!

ONE MAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CLEAN-UP

Dishwasher Leigh Dowling is one of over 200 crew that make the MasterChef dream a reality.

"Leigh washes everything you see," executive producer Margaret Bashfield reveals.

"He's the happiest bloke on the team, even when he gets pots that are horribly burnt on the bottom."

WHAT REALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CLOCK STOPS?

They keep on filming!

While a challenge might only last 60 minutes, an average filming day is much longer. After the judges' taste-test and the verdict is delivered, contenders sometimes head home after spending 12 hours of their day filming.

MATT'S A FASHION DIVA

The man behind the cravat's fashion sense has tried to be tamed over the years, but in 2018 Matt Preston was given full reign over his wardrobe.

"God help you if you try and get between Matt and his wardrobe," laughs Margaret.

"We have a bit of fun about whether his outfit is appropriate, but in the end it's all him, no-one can direct him… I almost fall off my chair with some of the things he comes out in."

THEY'VE RELAXED THE RULES

The harsh "MasterChef bubble" that contestants are in while on the show is no longer as tough as it once was.

"The worst case scenario is two 10-minute phone calls home a week, but there are exceptions."

"There's also outings and contenders were allowed to leave the house more this year to go down the street because we'd finished filming before the show went to air," explains Margaret.

They also have access to social media as the show's filming schedule allows for "everyone to be involved".

DOGGIE BAGS ARE ENCOURAGED

While most of the cooked food is eaten by the judges, and the contestants often have a nibble as well, sometimes there are leftovers and the lucky contenders are encouraged to take it home!

AUDITION FAILS GET THROUGH!

While the audition process for MasterChef is lengthy, Margaret reveals that many contenders in past seasons didn't even pass their first cook!

"A lot didn't cook brilliantly in their audition, but we saw that they knew how to cook, and when we talked to them about what was supposed to happen, they could talk to us about it and explain why it didn't."