There’s a lot riding on this season of MasterChef, for both the contestants and the show’s home on Channel Ten.

Producers have certainly upped the ante for season nine – contestants take a trip to Japan, celebrity guests abound (hi Yotam Ottolenghi!) and, most importantly, judge Matt Preston has a silver beard.

What’s being billed as “the most extraordinary season ever” premiered on Monday night, days after Network Ten revealed in directors’ reports there was “material uncertainty” about its ability to continue.

The reality cooking show, which debuted in 2009, may well be the network’s last hope for redemption, thanks to the consistently high ratings it scores.

The show’s ninth season started with a sizzle thanks to Preston’s fluffy face, which inspired a mixture of shock and admiration from the viewers at home.

Some struggled to keep their eyes on the signature dishes MasterChef hopefuls were churning out, turning their eyes instead to 52-year-old Preston, who complemented his silver facial hair with a teal three-piece suit and his signature cravat.

“Can I just express how happy I am for Matt Preston and his beard? Gosh,” one Twitter user proclaimed.

Even contestants noticed Preston’s new look, with one commenting, “Matt, you’re looking very suave”.

just gonna throw it out there that Matt Preston with a big grey beard is a significant upgrade

— tim (@ABigDumbBaby) March 15, 2017

Since when has Matt Preston (@masterchefau ) had a beard??

He's almost unrecognisable 😵

It really suits him! I love it 💜@MattsCravat pic.twitter.com/sx4osggnYV

— Kylie L McIntyre🏳️‍🌈 (@kyem74) March 15, 2017

Nineteen-year-old Melbourne student Michelle managed to steal the limelight back from Matt, stunning the judges with her “golden ball” – a version of the infamous Heston Blumenthal dessert last year’s contestants were forced to recreate in the finale.

“Last time I saw that it was in a two-star Michelin restaurant,” a visibly stunned Preston remarked. “You’re not secretly some pastry master from France are you?”

The teary teen received three nods from Preston and fellow judges George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan, as did humble crane operator Pete and a man who literally served up “bacon and eggs” – albeit a fancy deconstructed version.

But the standout dish came from 29-year-old nurse Jess, whose Japanese-themed dessert earned this series of facial expressions from Calombaris:

“One of the best things I’ve tasted this year,” he declared.

These four and a host of talented hopefuls will return to compete for the title, a cash prize of $250,000 and a chance to touch Matt’s beard.

Just kidding about that last part but really, given the reaction it received, that should probably be included in the prize pool.