Episode 1

S03 E01 • Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 • Feb 21

The 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.

Episode 2

S03 E02 • Tuesday, Feb 28, 2012 • Feb 28

At the MasterChef kitchen, the Top 24 contestants face a sudden death challenge to find who will go through to the Top 16.

Episode 3

S03 E03 • Tuesday, Mar 6, 2012 • Mar 6

The 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.

Episode 4

S03 E04 • Tuesday, Mar 13, 2012 • Mar 13

The Top 15 contestants must cook three classic takeaway dishes - fish and chips, hamburger and pizza - for The Food Truck star Michael van de Elzen.

Episode 5

S03 E05 • Tuesday, Mar 20, 2012 • Mar 20

The Top 14 contestants make canapos for 130 guests on board the HMNZS Canterbury for the Royal New Zealand Navys 70th anniversary.

Episode 6

S03 E06 • Tuesday, Mar 27, 2012 • Mar 27

The Top 13 face their spiciest challenge yet: to cook two dishes for guest chef Che Barrington, from Auckland modern Thai restaurant Moo Chow Chow.

Episode 7

S03 E07 • Tuesday, Apr 3, 2012 • Apr 3

Masterclass 1

S03 E08 • Sunday, Apr 8, 2012 • Apr 8

After the excitement of seeing the MasterChef contestants in action every Tuesday night, MasterClass turns the tables and puts the MasterChef judges in the spotlight.

Episode 8

S03 E09 • Tuesday, Apr 10, 2012 • Apr 10

Masterclass 2

S03 E10 • Sunday, Apr 15, 2012 • Apr 15

MasterChef judges Josh, Simon and Ray cook three simple but tasty dishes using everyday ingredients from the home fridge or pantry.

Episode 9

S03 E11 • Tuesday, Apr 17, 2012 • Apr 17

The Top Nine contestants travel to Hawkes Bay for an invention test using spring lamb and fresh local produce.

Masterclass 3

S03 E12 • Sunday, Apr 22, 2012 • Apr 22

Episode 10

S03 E13 • Tuesday, Apr 24, 2012 • Apr 24

The Top Eight contestants make a hamburger cake and a milkshake for baking maestro Mathew Metcalfe.

Masterclass 4

S03 E14 • Saturday, Apr 28, 2012 • Apr 28

Guest chef Mathew Metcalfe joins Josh Emett and Ray McVinnie to make three delectable desserts.

Episode 11

S03 E15 • Tuesday, May 1, 2012 • May 1

The top seven contestants cook fine dining dishes for three guest chefs, Hayden McMillan, Nick Honeyman and Makoto Tokuyama.

Masterclass 5

S03 E16 • Saturday, May 5, 2012 • May 5

Guest chef Nick Honeyman from Cru restaurant joins Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie to cook three very different examples of modern New Zealand cuisine.

Episode 12

S03 E17 • Tuesday, May 8, 2012 • May 8

The top six contestants cook a course each from the gourmet dinner menu at iconic New Zealand retreat Huka Lodge.

Masterclass 6

S03 E18 • Saturday, May 12, 2012 • May 12

Guest chef Michel Louws from Huka Lodge joins Josh Emett and Simon Gault to cook three hearty meat dishes.

Episode 13

S03 E19 • Tuesday, May 15, 2012 • May 15

The top five contestants must replicate a challenging dessert created by award-winning chef, Michael Meredith.

Masterclass 7

S03 E20 • Saturday, May 19, 2012 • May 19

Josh Emett, Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie cook their favourite desserts.

Episode 14

S03 E21 • Tuesday, May 22, 2012 • May 22

The Top Four contestants cook Business Class in-flight meals for Jetstar.

Masterclass 8

S03 E22 • Saturday, May 26, 2012 • May 26

Josh Emett, Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie cook three different cuts of beef.

Episode 15

S03 E23 • Tuesday, May 29, 2012 • May 29

The Top Four contestants face two epic challenges in the culinary capital of Asia, Singapore.

Masterclass 9

S03 E24 • Saturday, Jun 2, 2012 • Jun 2

Street food master K.F. Seetoh and Eric Bost, the executive chef from Guy Savoy restaurant, join Ray McVinnie for a Masterclass in Singapore.

Episode 16

S03 E25 • Tuesday, Jun 5, 2012 • Jun 5

The three semi-finalists try to impress cookbook queen Annabel Langbein with three dishes they'd like to include in their first cookbook.

Masterclass 10

S03 E26 • Saturday, Jun 9, 2012 • Jun 9

Grand Final

S03 E27 • Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 • Jun 12

The final two contestants take on four challenges in their bid to become New Zealand's next MasterChef.