MasterChef: 16 things you didn’t know about the hit cooking show

Although it feels like a fairly modern show due to its increased popularity since the rise of reality TV, the cooking show actually started in the UK in 1990, meaning that it has been on our screens for 26 years! It has been through various name and style changes, and now has three more variations - MasterChef: The Professionals, Celebrity MasterChef and Junior MasterChef. And we love all of them!

The intense cooking competition is filmed in an old brewery in South London, but that wasn't always the case. During earlier series of the show, it was actually filmed in London City University halls! We remember what the cutlery looked like at uni - we hope they used their own…

The MasterChef winners have gone on to do some amazing things, including the MasterChef UK winner of 2005, Thomasina Miers, who is behind the wildly popular Mexican chain restaurant, Wahaca.

The show is complete a whopping five months before any of us get to see it on TV. When the contestants begin, they must sign a contract so ensure that the winner remains a secret until it is aired. Dhruv Baker, who won the show in 2010 spoke about how hard it was to keep his success a secret for months!

In order to enter MasterChef, potential contestants have to fill out an extremely thorough application form detailing everything from their toughest moment in the kitchen, to their culinary heroes.

Past winners have said that although using established celebrity recipes isn't techinically breaking the rules, if you want to impress the judges you'll have to make a dish that's truly individual and reflects what you have to offer as a chef.

Celeriac puree has featured in two of the post popular MasterChef recipes. Until recently, venison on celeriac or parsnip puree was the most popular dish throughout all the MasterChef seasons. However, it was pipped to the post by sea bass on a bed of - you guessed it, celeriac puree. Perhaps potential applicants should master this before going on the show!

The winners of the competition aren't the only ones who have enjoyed success after the grand finale. According to a report, 70% of the contestants never return to their previous job, instead finding work within the food industry. Many of the contestants have gone on to cater for some of the poshest people in the planet - including those at Buckingham Palace, No.10 Downing Street and a Maharaja in his palace!

Thankfully, no! Once the food has been tasted and tested by judges, Gregg and John, the crew tuck in to the delicious plates cooked up by the contestants. Rumour has it that the soundmen even carry forks and spoons around with them so that they can get stuck in as soon as the judges are finished! Never mind the competition, where do we sign up for that job?

Unfortunately - yes. The cameramen have the tough job of capturing beautiful imagery of the food whilst it is piping hot and looking absolutely perfect, which can take a lot of time. When Gregg and John get around to trying to food, it isn't warm anymore. However, they will have tried a hot version beforehand, but due to clever editing and cutaway angles, it is likely that it won't be at the judging table as we thought. And we never knew - until now!

Known for his very vocal appreciation of the decadent food on offer, Gregg's concerned doctor reportedly suggested he chew the food and then spit it out, to save his cholesterol.

Yes. The judging duo have been given individual instructions regarding what they aren't allowed to wear during filming. For Gregg, this means avoiding two things - headwear (after the furry hat incident in series two), and pastel colors. John also has a clothing ban - apparently he mustn't wear Hawaiian shirts!

If the contestants wish to practice cooking up their food masterpieces at home, then they are expected to foot the bill for the ingredients, and they aren't reimbursed. However, during filming the MasterChef kitchens and pantries are stocked up, free of charge.

Gregg and John knew each other way before MasterChef. When John was working as a sous-chef in a Chelsea restaurant, Quaglino's; Greg was a greengrocer looking for someone to sell vegetables to, and soon became John's supplier. The rest is history, and the pair were asked to host MasterChef together in 2005.

Yes - Lisa was appearing in the celebrity edition of the show in 2010 when the pair struck up a friendship. A few years later, following the breakdown of both of their marriages, they became a couple in 2012 and wed three years later.

Surprisingly, nothing in terms of a cash prize. Although the contestants often go on to sign book deals and land jobs in some great kitchens, the winning 'prize' for beating the competition is the 'MasterChef Winner' title, and a trophy. The winner's prize in the USA amounts to $250,000 - we know which one we'd prefer!