The reality TV show MasterChef seems to be influencing the way Aussies cook, eat and dine out.

An analysis of Australia’s popular recipe website, Taste.com.au, is showing that searches for recipes of dishes featured on the program surge immediately after they air.

Monday night’s pressure test episode featured contestants Julie, Sandra and Aaron fighting to avoid elimination by cooking a traditional Spanish paella.

Straight after the show, searches on “paella” rose dramatically, and by Tuesday “paella” was the second most searched recipe, despite the fact that it had never appeared in the top 30 searches before.

Two other dishes, sticky date pudding and more tellingly the relatively more exotic dish of tarte Tartin, also saw a massive increase in the number of people looking for the recipes after they featured in elimination episodes.

MasterChef judge Matt Preston said the example of results reinforce his sense that the show is fostering a cultural kitchen revolution.

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“I think the thing about shows like MasterChef is often what they do is unlock the door, or open the door, on something that’s been growing and just waiting to explode,” Preston said.

The restaurant critic believes interest in food has been growing in Australia for some time, helped along by celeb chefs such as Jamie Oliver, and last year’s TV love affair with all things Gordon Ramsay. (eatdrink.com.au articles featuring Gordon Ramsey are some of the highest read)

“What’s happening is that we (MasterChef) are benefiting from this interest as well as from the current economic situation.”

“People are looking for cheap ways to bring the family together and a Tuesday night dinner or Sunday lunch is an excellent way to do that.”

“It’s all that nana stuff.”

Preston hopes the show will have a lasting effect and says it is even inspiring kids “to be interested more in the food, than the toy that comes with it.”

“More people are discovering that cooking is joyous and not a chore”.

Tim Wilson, owner of specialist food store The Essential Ingredient in Canberra, said the show is having a definite impact on sales.

“On one Friday night show potato ricers were used and by Saturday afternoon, they had all sold out.”

Wilson also reported an increase in sales of pasta machines and soufflé dishes, both of which featured in MasterChef episodes.

While it’s not uncommon for TV shows to prompt the sales of kitchen equipment, Wilson has noticed that MasterChef is having more of an impact than even Ramsay did last year.

“We have people coming in to the store or ringing up saying ‘I saw this on the show last night, do you have it?’”

“We generally cater to the serious foodie but because the show is on free to air, not pay TV, we seem to be reaching out to a broader food community.”

“The show is sparking a new interest in food for many people and we are now seeing people come into our stores who didn’t even know about us before.”

Is Masterchef helping or hindering your business and menu?