MASTERCHEF will take a bite out of the Big Apple, flying a group of competitors to New York for the first time.

It is understood foul-mouthed chef Gordon Ramsay, who is a judge on MasterChef USA, and Anthony Bourdain will be among the celebrity chefs lining up to mentor the contestants during their week-long stay.

Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan struck a pose in New York's Times Square to promote the start of filming.

This year's series has already sent a lucky few to Malaysia for a master class with fish guru Rick Stein. But while the wannabe's slug it out in the kitchen, it seems the judges have been enjoying plenty of sights - going to see an Arctic Monkeys gig, and munching on hot dogs while watching American football.

But Preston was not impressed, tweeting: "NYC pretzels and hot dogs are a waste of time, no matter how much mustard you put on them. Don't eat them!!"

Meanwhile, the latest evictee from MasterChef, Cleo Kerameas, said she was warned by producers she was not meant to be making ganache while her toffee was cooking, but said she was so anxious it didn't register.

"I stopped for a bit, but then I just kept going. I felt like such an idiot later," she said.

Originally published as Lucky chefs to 'cook with Ramsay'