New kitchen crew MASTERCHEF NZ JUDGES TELL ALL!

Get to know the talented trio who'll soon be cooking up drama on our screens

MICHAEL, NADIA, VAUGHAN

After a seven-year hiatus, MasterChef NZ is back - and as as a stunning new setting in Queenstown, there's a fresh panel of judges!

You'll know Nadia Lim, 36, as the beloved reality show's 2011 champion, who has since gone on to become one of Aotearoa's most successful celebrity cooks.

She's joined by awardwinning Kiwi chef Vaughan Mabee, 41, who worked at the world-famous Norwegian restaurant Noma, before becoming executive chef at Otago winery Amisfield.

And also acclaimed restaurateur Michael Dearth, 52, who moved from San Francisco to open acclaimed Auckland eateries Baduzzi and The Grove.

As we prepare for MasterChef's return to Three, we pepper the judges with some tricky questions to see what we can expect from the new kitchen crew...

What's going to be different about this seventh season?

Nadia: New judges, baby!

Vaughan: And it's held in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, where amazing local ingredients are used to tell a story of Central Otago.

What talents do you bring to the judges' table?

Nadia: First-hand experience - I reeeally know what it's like to be in the contestants' shoes!

Michael: I've worked with many chefs over the past 20 years who have gone on to succeed. I love collaborating with young, talented and passionate minds.