In an exciting development after the 2010 final, Coles is pleased to announce it has signed a new two year deal as the exclusive supermarket sponsor of Network Ten’s MasterChef Australia. The new partnership will see Coles continue its relationship with the groundbreaking show in 2011 and 2012, including Junior MasterChef. Coles Marketing Director Simon McDowell said he was thrilled to continue Australia’s most talked about marketing alliance for another two years. “We’ve... ...Read more »

In an Australian first, Farm Pride has launched Powdered Whole Eggs onto Australian supermarket shelves.  The 150 gram packs are equivalent to a dozen eggs, and are now located in the baking aisle of all Coles stores nationally. With a long shelf life, Farm Pride’s Powdered Whole Eggs can be used in any recipe requiring fresh eggs including cakes and biscuits, pies and quiches, pasta, even omelettes and scrambled eggs. Since Farm Pride Powdered Whole Eggs have been pasteurised, they are shelf... ...Read more »

“Coles, the major sponsor of Channel 10′s MasterChef, has reported rushes on ingredients and kitchen equipment featured on the show. Coles General Manager Corporate Affairs, Robert Hadler, said the featured recipes on the show could be directly linked to increased sales. “There was a 30 per cent uplift in sales of our MasterChef meat for the stroganoff overnight,” he said. Other featured products have shown strong sales increases, including rib roasts (up 200%), salmon fillets... ...Read more »

Two contestants on Australian reality cooking show MasterChef are up for elimination after last night having to completely scrap one of their dishes after discovering the filo pastry bought from Coles was past its use-by date. Contestants Philip Vakos and Callum Hann found themselves in a race against the clock when they discovered the frozen filo pastry was expired after they had left the supermarket. Instead of making the traditional Greek pie, spanakopita, they compromised by using what they had... ...Read more »

Male students at Victorian Government schools are flocking to kitchens in record numbers, inspired by the popularity of MasterChef-style TV programs.Launching Education Week at Footscray City College today, Acting Premier Rob Hulls joined Education Minister Bronwyn Pike, MasterChef Australia finalist Chris Badenoch and year 11 and 12 hospitality students for a cooking challenge in the school’s brand new industrial kitchen. Mr Hulls said the popularity of television cooking had resulted in a... ...Read more »

Coles has sought to further capitalise on the spectacular success of of MasterChef by hiring one of the show’s judges, renowned chef George Calombaris, to assist with product development. The supermarket chain was the lead sponsor of the show, which surpassed all expectations and connected with the Australian public in a way many could not believe. They saw sales of key ingredients featured in the series surge by up to 200 per cent, with the show boosting the trend toward home cooking. Coles... ...Read more »

Restaurant & Catering Australia, the peak national organisation representing the interests of 40,000 restaurateurs and caterers, has been buoyed by the stunning ratings performance of MasterChef Australia. John Hart, Chief Executive Officer of the industry body, believes the public groundswell of support for the show will provide a fillip for the restaurant sector. “The Association is delighted with the overwhelming enthusiasm for the industry generated by MasterChef,” he said. “Fremantle... ...Read more »

The hit that few people saw coming has soared to an Australian ratings record, putting special events like the AFL Grand Final and Australian Idol finales well and truly in the shade. Over 3.7 million tuned in last night as MasterChef Australia delivered the highest rating non-sport telecast since ratings began, with only the Hewitt-Safin Australian Open Final and 2003 Rugby World Cup Final surpassing it this century. What was so spectacular about its success was its ability to capture the imagination... ...Read more »

Sydneysider Justine Schofield, who was last night the latest to be eliminated from hit TV show Masterchef, is to be rewarded for her efforts with a mentorship from renowned chef Matt Moran. Moran, the Executive Chef of acclaimed Sydney restaurant ARIA, is to offer advice to the budding chef who performed admirably against him in a celebrity challenge a number of weeks ago. ”That Matt Moran would want to mentor me, I was like: ‘Oh my gosh’. I will do anything. I will peel potatoes,... ...Read more »