The new season of My Kitchen Rules 2025 (MKR) has already kicked off with a knife fight, and the drama is just beginning. However, there is some method to the madness, with producers putting strict rules in place for the cooks.
Contestants Michael and Rielli have lifted the lid on what really happens behind the scenes on MKR, including whether contestants have to follow rules in the kitchen, how much they’re paid, and whether anyone has to eat cold food.
How much are MKR contestants paid?
Michael and Rielli wouldn’t give an exact figure for compensation, but confirmed that the cooks are paid for their time on the cooking show.
“I would say that the pay is reasonable, definitely livable, and yeah, very fair,” Michael says mysteriously.
In 2019, Piper O’Neill competed on MKR, and at that time, said she received $1000 per week by Channel Seven. “I was paid $500 per week for being on the show,” she said in a claim made to the Personal Injury Commission of NSW.
“I was given an additional $500 a week for food for myself to eat and to aid in the purchase of food that would need to be bought and to practice cooking for the show.”
What rules do MKR contestants have to follow in the kitchen?
Rielli tells Chattr there are “so many rules” the contestants have to follow in the kitchen, especially when it comes to hygiene.
“Even before cooking, you have to have your hair up, you have to have your fingers and hands well groomed, and you always have to be constantly washing your hands,” she says.
“You’re feeding people at the end of the day so there’s definitely health regulations.”
Is there a limit on the amount of alcohol MKR contestants can drink?
Jacinta and Mel tell Chattr there isn’t a copious amount of alcohol served on MKR. “What we’re given at the start of the show is what’s there, and then that’s it,” Jacinta spills. “Nobody’s drinking more than they should, because that’s what we’ve got at the start of the night and that’s what we work with.”
Mel jumps in and says: “Most of us don’t really drink that much. I think most of us have about a couple of glasses of wine for a restaurant. But the producers, they also keep an eye on anything.”
How long are MKR filming days?
Some of the days on set can be rather long, with the Instant Restaurant round taking a while to film.
“Filming days can be quite long. I probably couldn’t put it into an exact time frame, but they’re definitely long days and you can be quite tired,” Mel admits. “But you’re also excited, it’s an awesome opportunity to be involved in.”
Are there any limitations on what MKR contestants can cook?
Contestants on MKR have complete control over what they decide to cook, with one caveat: each element of the dish, including pastry, pasta, and stocks, must be made in the kitchen.
“You can’t have any pre-bought stuff. Like my beef stock, I had to make it from bone. If you’ve got pasta, you’ve got to make it,” Michael spills.
Sounds like there are no shortcuts on MKR! “It’s fully about cooking,” Rielli adds. “Everything has to be made from scratch.”
Do MKR contestants have to quit their jobs to go on the show?
Contestants don’t necessarily have to quit their jobs to go on MKR, but they do need to take some leave.
“You don’t have to quit [your job] if you have a good boss,” Lol tells Chattr. “Maybe, if you don’t have a good boss, you might have to quit.”
Do MKR contestants ever have to eat cold or raw food?
Rielli tells Chattr that a duo could potentially serve raw food later in the season, which has us intrigued.
“Theoretically, a contestant could serve raw food. You never know, that kind of thing can happen,” Rielli teases. “Might have to watch the rest of the season.”
Michael also adds that sometimes contestants end up having to eat cold food if the timing of the cook doesn’t go perfectly.
“It all depends on the actual cooks and how quickly they can prepare it and plate it,” he says, before Rielli adds, “It’s a production at the end of the day. And you know what? Not everything comes out [at a] speedy time, because we are just normal everyday people trying to cook for 12 people. That’s craziness.”
We’ll have to keep an eye out during the rest of the My Kitchen Rules season to see if anybody serves up a stone-cold dish.
My Kitchen Rules (MKR) airs on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.
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