A hilarious blend of music and cooking in true MasterChef style. Local bands go head to head to see if they can handle the heat of the kitchen whilst wowing the judges and dazzling the audience. Hosted by MasterChef finalist Jessica Arnott, and DJ and food enthusiast Aaron Wilson, the competition brings two bands to the kitchen to test their cooking skills, competing in a ‘Guess That Food Sound’ round before drawing knives for 40 minutes of high-energy food preparation. The audience is kept highly entertained through a riff-off between band members and amusing chats with the contestants and judges. There was never a dull moment through the awesome synth jams, blender malfunctions and cooking calamities.

The format of the show was excellent, with a small audience in the State Theatre Centre’s Studio Underground, it felt intimate and comfortable. It was packed full of laughs, thanks to the brilliant hosts who maintained the enthusiasm of the audience for the entire show through back and forth banter between the dynamic panel of judges and contestants. Everyone seemed thoroughly impressed, and surprised, by the culinary performances from the bands and the complexity of their dishes. The hosts, judges and contestants were perfectly cast for a wonderful balance between structured presentation, an amazing display of gastronomic skill, witty comedy and spontaneity.

For a first-ever run of the show, technical difficulties and slip-ups were expected and only added to the light-hearted humour of the night. As the competition continued, the energy of the hosts and the audience warmed up and there was a lovely feeling of familiar ease between performers and viewers.

This show is highly recommended for an evening of side-splitting kitchen shenanigans. I am eager to see Musicians Kitchen Battles return to Fringe with more bands competing in the kitchen.