MasterChef has taken a leaf out of My Kitchen Rules' cookbook - the next season will have teams of two contestants battling for the title.
A TVNZ spokeswoman said despite the last season of the reality cooking show being the network's biggest yet, its fans told them they wanted "the heat turned up even more".
"Duos will enable us to add new challenges and elements to the mix while retaining the traditional MasterChef formula that viewers love."
In May, TV One put out the call to all amateur chefs and budding foodies to pair up with a partner, best friend, sibling, workmate or whomever and toss their chef's hat into the ring.
Only pairs are allowed to enter this season as the network said "this season it's all about the teamwork".