Comments on: Call to shift MasterChef locale

By: ducko

ducko — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 08:58:26 +0000

Good points, Homer. However, I note Ten hasn’t denied the report whereas they were very quick to deny the report about a reality program about photographers.

By: Homer

Homer — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 07:00:37 +0000

Have you read the Herald-Sun “article”? Who was it that “called” for the move? I can’t find that anywhere in the article except, by inference, the Herald-Sun itself. I think this is a non-story that was whipped up by a journo doing a quick ring-around to gauge reaction to something that nobody was even talking about publicly. Nevertheless it has, rather predictably, coaxed the usual tired-of-their-number-two-image Melbournians out from behind their scarves and beanies to give us their opinions about Melbourne being the “food capital”, etc, even though most of them have probably never set foot in Vue de monde. It feels like we’ve all heard this stuff so very many times before.

I consider myself a “foodie” and I’ve got quite a few, similar friends in both Sydney and Melbourne. The consensus among those that know these things seems to be that both cities have very vibrant but quite distinct food scenes. Sydney has more three-hatters with more world renowned chefs and world class restaurants (think Quay, Est., Tetsuya’s) while Melbourne, which also has a few standouts of its own, does bistro-stryle food very well and with great consistency. In my view whether you are from Sydney or from Melbourne – if you’re a foodie, just give thanks that you aren’t living in Brisbane!

By: Rhys

Rhys — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 05:22:22 +0000

Doesn’t seem like such a bizarre notion to me. But if it’s a case of maintaining some continuity between seasons, Sydney could retain its ‘MC base’ status, but the show could introduce a round Australia challenge each week.

Each week could feature a different location around Australia, boasting natural produce. That way contestants, and viewers, could be exposed to all Australia has to offer in the way of cuisine and produce. I’m sure there’d be more than enough financial support from State governments, tourism boards, and food industry groups to encourage Ten budget wise, and the MasterChef brand could be broadened even further.

By: Melb

Melb — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 01:50:06 +0000

I think as a test David should move to Sydney to write columns and see if his readership changes…………

By: alfagirl

alfagirl — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:49:29 +0000

As long as a quality show is produced it doesn’t matter where it’s based. Enough said.

By: Johnson

Johnson — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:23:39 +0000

The MC kitchen in Sydney is located in an industrial area (Alexandria) which is close to the city and Sydney Airport, and is only 15 minutes’ drive from where the contestants live (the picturesque Double Bay). Where can you find that in Melbourne? Also, it is expensive to rent a big house in Melbourne just to accommodate all the contestants.

By: Jane

Jane — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:05:17 +0000

I can’t wait. I’m already tired about everything being filmed in Sydney and all the sport being in Melbourne.

By: League Freak

League Freak — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 10:22:12 +0000

If it makes people in Melbourne feel better about themselves, let them have it. Its just a TV show and hey, they need something to brighten up the place down there.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:37:28 +0000

Lets have a look here.
1. It will cut costs on flights and accommodation for judges and guests. [i.e: Gary, George and Matt could stay in their own Melbournian home during the filming].
2. It is the food capital, and this sets that statement.
3. Melbourne has Gordon Ramsey on the list of chefs owning/working for restaurants in Melbourne!
4. It did do a week in Melbourne and that looked impressive.
5. We have some unique places to film [i.e: Lane ways in the CBD, Wineries and historical buildings].
6. There is plenty of disused warehouses good for a studio kitchen.
7. Docklands is the best place for a new apartment for the chefs.
8. We have the Vic Market and Parahan Market and Footscray which has the Little Saigon.
It’s a no brainier and could tell Sydney people to start watching or else!
PS: Our new PM is Melbournian and she might like the move?

By: MandyJ

MandyJ — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:34:48 +0000

I think the main thing is the guest chefs. Don’t care where they go on rewards, because I know I can’t afford any of those restaurants anyway, I just want to see the different chefs at work. Keep a good variety of guests flown in from everywhere and who cares where they are. (Yes David I’m Melburnian too)

By: John

John — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 06:12:43 +0000

Melburnian’s like to claim that there is a Sydney-Melbourne rivalry – there is no rivalry because it is completely one sided. Sydney knows that it is already the top city in Australia and doesn’t need to outlay huge money to attract events to confirm it.

Remember the digs at Sydney during the 2006 Commonwealth games in Melbourne? It was extremely petty and if Sydney had done the same thing during the 2000 Olympics, it would’ve looked pathetic on a world stage.

MC works perfectly fine in Sydney.

By: ducko

ducko — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 05:17:50 +0000

The cost of flying judges,hosts, contestants, etc around is not a major issue. If it were, maybe it’s time to replace the judges , which would freshen up the program. However it doesn’t seem to be an important factor. Look at Australia’s Got Talent for example, the host & two of the judges are Sydney based, yet the program is produced in Melbourne

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 05:15:39 +0000

The way it is keeps both sets of ridiculous fan waving city fans happy – ie judges from Melbourne, set in Sydney – taking care of the two biggest population bases. Moving the filming to Melbourne will just have Sydney people feeling its all a little bit too Melbourne. Mind you, Sydney people aren’t anywhere near as paranoid about how ‘important’ the city is as Melbourne people are.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 04:46:04 +0000

I see how Melbourne would benefit but it’s pretty pointless from the show’s end. I don’t know if I’m peculiar in this respect (I don’t think I am) but a show’s geographic location has never been factored into my decision-making process when deciding what to watch. The notion seems a bit nonsensical to me, unless the location actually has some kind of bearing on the content (like the Melbourne/London weeks) and the day Masterchef becomes a permanent tourism ad is the day I stop watching Masterchef.

By: Madam Tango

Madam Tango — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 04:12:28 +0000

sorry that’s “If you want to take it to a foodie city” – always get excited when I think of Matt and his natty way of dressing!!

By: Madam Tango

Madam Tango — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 04:10:32 +0000

Well if you want taking it to a “foodie” city why not Adelaide??