MasterChef's Matthew Caldicott

New Idea talks to Matthew Caldicott about his TV experience and his plans for the future.

Q. So tell me us about you elimination. Do you think you deserved to go?
A. I worked on the dessert for our team challenge – and although I went well – the team overall didn’t so we found ourselves in the elimination. And I picked the wrong ingredient in the taste test. I picked ‘apricots’ instead of ‘apricot jam’ because there were apricots on top of the carrot cake. It was a little slip-up but it was the wrong ingredient.

Q. How would you rate your dessert knowledge?
A. I’m pretty good at cakes and desserts so after I said the wrong ingredient I knew 13 of the next 16 ingredients. I was kicking myself. I was the first person in the line-up to name the ingredient.

Q. Were you ready to go or were you eliminated too soon?
A. Look, I think I could have gone further, it was a bit disappointing to go. I had been in quite a few pressure tests – they gave me the nickname ‘Iceman’ – so I thought I could handle another one.

Q. There have been plenty of comments about the 'tears' on MasterChef – do you think some contestants with a ‘sob story’ have an advantage?
A. Personally I’ve cried a little bit – not that much. The filming days are so long and if you’re locked away in a pressure situation like I have been, often you do get emotional. A few mates have teased me about it.

Q. In recent team challenges, it seems obvious who some of the less liked contestants are. How did you get along with everyone?
A. I got along with everyone pretty well because I'm young. I had a great time with everyone in the house. I think it just comes down to the challenge on the day and who the team captains are. They want to pick their strongest team – but we’re a pretty tight-knit group.

Q. Is there anyone flying ‘under the radar’?
A. As the numbers dwindle, everyone is under the microscope. You can’t get away with anything bad.

Q. Do you think as the competition heats up there will be tension in the house?
A. I think everyone will be focused more and everyone needs to be on their game. I can imagine there is a lot of studying and practising going on in the kitchen back in the house.

Q. Is there enough room for everyone to practise in the kitchen back in the house?
A. There wasn’t when there was 24 people! I didn’t get into the kitchen for about a month. You were really fighting for a frypan! But now, once the numbers are down, it’s a lot easier.

Q.With you all practising in the one kitchen, is there a fear someone could steal ideas or know what you’re up to?
A. Yes I think there is a little bit of a fear. It could happen but I haven’t seen it yet.

Q. Is it good to be back home?
A. Yes it’s great to be back with my family and catching up with all my mates.

Q. How proud is your family of what you’ve achieved?
A. They’re really proud. Dad is really chuffed. Mum loves it. I’ve had a little break from cooking at home but I’ve started going back to the basics, working on sauces and stocks. I think sometimes I bit off more than I could chew so now I’m going back through French cookbooks and mastering the basics.

Q. What has your Dad said to you? Is he going to let you off the ‘accountant’ hook?
A. I think he’s happy seeing me happy so whatever decision I make going forward he’ll be happy for me.

Q. Tell me what you’re up to now.
A. I’ve been doing work experience at Spice Temple and I’ve got the potential to have a job at one of the restaurants but at the moment I am seeing what this whole whirlwind of MasterChef will bring. Hopefully it’ll open some doors for private catering or food demonstrations. I don’t know what’s on my cards but I’ll enjoy it.

Q. Who is your tip to win? Why?
A. I hope Callum goes far. We are really good mates. From the Top 50, I always thought Adam would go far. I am pretty confident he will be in the finals. He’s a great cook, he’s got so much knowledge of food. He’s good at Asian food as well as French and everything. If he’s been working on desserts in the house – which he should have been because he wasn’t that good at them – then he’ll be unstoppable.