Brett McGrath

The amateur cooks have one hour to recreate their signature dishes for the judges' first auditions, as the judges and nine past winners offer their support.

The top 24 try to stand the heat in the kitchen, with 90 minutes and an open pantry to cook their dishes and impress the judges, focusing on hospitality.

After giving out 18 aprons, the judges are searching for six more cooks to complete their top 24, and the chefs who were offered a second chance go head-to-head.

Three chefs fight for survival in the first elimination challenge. They are given 75 minutes to cook a dish with ingredients from their home fridge and pantry.

The chefs have only 45 minutes to cook a prawn dish with their assigned cuisine: French, Greek, Mexican, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.