MasterChef New ZealandSeason 32012 · 27 episodesEpisodes1Episode 1The hit local cooking competition is back, bigger and better than ever before. Over 1000 amateur cooks from around the country compete for just 25 places in the next round.2Episode 2At the MasterChef kitchen, the Top 24 contestants face a sudden death challenge to find who will go through to the Top 16.3Episode 3The Top 16 contestants move into the MasterChef mansion on Auckland's North Shore. That night they experience a rude awakening, with a surprise appearance from Simon Gault, who outlines their challenge: an all-night bake-off at Auckland's Loaf bakery, in which two teams must each bake eight different kinds of bread and deliver them to the Hilton Hotel's Fish restaurant in the morning for tasting. Very few of the contestants have any baking experience, and as the night unfolds, so do the dramas. As the two teams grapple with unfamiliar recipes and equipment, lack of sleep takes its toll and basic mistakes begin creeping in throughout the bakery.4Episode 4The Top 15 contestants must cook three classic takeaway dishes - fish and chips, hamburger and pizza - for The Food Truck star Michael van de Elzen.5Episode 5The Top 14 contestants make canapos for 130 guests on board the HMNZS Canterbury for the Royal New Zealand Navys 70th anniversary.6Episode 6The Top 13 face their spiciest challenge yet: to cook two dishes for guest chef Che Barrington, from Auckland modern Thai restaurant Moo Chow Chow.7Episode 78Masterclass 1After the excitement of seeing the MasterChef contestants in action every Tuesday night, MasterClass turns the tables and puts the MasterChef judges in the spotlight.9Episode 810Masterclass 2MasterChef judges Josh, Simon and Ray cook three simple but tasty dishes using everyday ingredients from the home fridge or pantry.11Episode 9The Top Nine contestants travel to Hawkes Bay for an invention test using spring lamb and fresh local produce.12Masterclass 313Episode 10The Top Eight contestants make a hamburger cake and a milkshake for baking maestro Mathew Metcalfe.14Masterclass 4Guest chef Mathew Metcalfe joins Josh Emett and Ray McVinnie to make three delectable desserts.15Episode 11The top seven contestants cook fine dining dishes for three guest chefs, Hayden McMillan, Nick Honeyman and Makoto Tokuyama.16Masterclass 5Guest chef Nick Honeyman from Cru restaurant joins Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie to cook three very different examples of modern New Zealand cuisine.17Episode 12The top six contestants cook a course each from the gourmet dinner menu at iconic New Zealand retreat Huka Lodge.18Masterclass 6Guest chef Michel Louws from Huka Lodge joins Josh Emett and Simon Gault to cook three hearty meat dishes.19Episode 13The top five contestants must replicate a challenging dessert created by award-winning chef, Michael Meredith.20Masterclass 7Josh Emett, Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie cook their favourite desserts.21Episode 14The Top Four contestants cook Business Class in-flight meals for Jetstar.22Masterclass 8Josh Emett, Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie cook three different cuts of beef.23Episode 15The Top Four contestants face two epic challenges in the culinary capital of Asia, Singapore.24Masterclass 9Street food master K.F. Seetoh and Eric Bost, the executive chef from Guy Savoy restaurant, join Ray McVinnie for a Masterclass in Singapore.25Episode 16The three semi-finalists try to impress cookbook queen Annabel Langbein with three dishes they'd like to include in their first cookbook.26Masterclass 1027Grand FinalThe final two contestants take on four challenges in their bid to become New Zealand's next MasterChef.Season 1Season 2Season 4Season 7