Fan favourites are returning for a second - or even third - shot at the title of MasterChef and the glory that comes from holding that trophy above their heads.
Chefs from Season 1 to Season 16 are once again tackling an array of challenges designed to push them out of their comfort zones, while also showing just how much they've grown since their debut in the MasterChef kitchen, all under the watchful eyes of our beloved judges.
Andy Allen, Poh Ling-Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Sofia Levin will be there every step of the way, with some help from some extra special guest chefs.
Meet the cast of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2025:
Alana Lowes
Season 3, placed 3rd
Alana Lowes first appeared on Season 3 of MasterChef Australia, catapulting her into the food industry and allowing her to travel the globe as a food, travel and lifestyle television presenter, travel writer, and magazine editor. Alana has also worked as a recipe developer, food stylist, photographer and even launched her own sauce range.
Andre Ursini
Season 1, placed 7th
Andre Ursini returns to the kitchen to rediscover the very passion for cooking he unveiled on screen 16 years ago. Following the competition, he opened Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar, which became an Adelaide dining institution for some 10 years before closing its doors. Andre has launched three more successful venues - Orso, Lost Phoenix Farm and Villetta Porcini - alongside other business ventures.
Audra Morrice
New South Wales
Season 4, placed 3rd
Now splitting her time between Sydney and Singapore, Audra is an in-demand television presenter, cookbook author and catering business proprietor in both locations. Audra is also currently a judge on MasterChef Singapore and was on the judging panel of MasterChef Asia. Putting on her apron once more, Audra is inspired to demonstrate diversity and culture through her food in the MasterChef Australia kitchen.
Beau Cook
Season 4, placed 8th
Following his last stint in the kitchen, Beau took up his dream opportunity to become a firefighter, but his love for food never waned and he has continued to build his skills in the kitchen. Inspired early by Jamie Oliver, Beau’s speciality is simple food made well from his own homegrown ingredients whenever possible. As an advocate for ‘re-wilding’, Beau’s future food dream involves more land, a bigger veggie patch and some animals.
Ben Macdonald
Season 6, placed 6th
Ben Macdonald comes Back To Win with the same dry sense of humour and determination he is remembered for. Having run a café, a bistro and a fresh pasta delivery business in Auckland, New Zealand, Ben has added considerably to his culinary skillset in the 11 years since he first landed in the MasterChef Australia kitchen.
Callum Hann
Season 2, placed 2nd; Season 12, placed 4th
Though Callum Hann knows the MasterChef Australia kitchen inside out, he still admits to feeling nerves as he prepares for his third tilt at the prestigious title. Callum comes Back To Win in 2025 having added even more accolades to his business empire – opening two new restaurants, Olive and Roma in Adelaide’s CBD, to join Lou’s Place in the Barossa Valley. Callum’s long-running cooking school, Sprout, has also grown, offering even more classes with cookbooks, appearances, events and media commitments keeping Callum’s calendar full.
Cath Collins
Season 15, placed 5th
After claiming fifth place in 2023, Cath returns to the competition a wiser, calmer cook, and plans on having more fun this time around. Cath embraced change in a big way since 2023’s competition, making food her life and following
Darrsh Clarke
Season 16, placed 6th
Fresh from Season 16, Darrsh Clarke is going back-to-back for another crack at the title. He has relocated from Perth to Melbourne for the best opportunity to chase his food dreams, immersing himself in Melbourne’s thriving culinary scene. He also locked in some house mates who are fairly handy in the kitchen: none other than MasterChef Australia 2024 winner Nat Thaipun, and fellow contestant David Tan – the three combining at times for powerhouse private dining experiences.
Declan Cleary
Season 15, placed 3rd
Fish is still Declan’s game, and while seafood will feature, Declan has also worked hard to expand his repertoire and push his creativity, ready to show the judges more depth. While maintaining his building business, Declan has also become a global brand ambassador, travelling, presenting cooking demonstrations and creating content. He still dreams of opening his own farm-to-fork style venue and starts every day determined to be the best version of himself.
Depinder Chhibber
Season 13, placed 8th
Since her last appearance in the MasterChef Australia kitchen, Depinder launched a supper club called Ghar - meaning home in Hindi – to offer an Indian-style home dining experience. In 2023, Depinder also appeared on MasterChef India as a guest judge. Inspired by the amazing cooks in her family, Depinder is well remembered for her incredible take on Indian cuisine, and her calm nature in the kitchen. She never thought she would experience the magic of MasterChef Australia twice, so this time is doing it to show her daughters what it’s like to believe in yourself and follow your passion.
Jamie Fleming
Season 6, placed 4th
With his time on MasterChef Australia Season 6 having sparked his dream of owning his own venue, Jamie launched and ran the award-winning Alba Bar & Deli in Brisbane for five successful years, before opening Spill Wine in Maleny in 2024. Admitting that food is his love language, Jamie strives always to cook with connection to create meaningful experiences for diners whenever he shares his food.
Jimmy Wong
Season 8, placed 19th
Last time he entered the MasterChef Australia kitchen back in Season 8, Jimmy Wong had his sister Theresa competing alongside him. Now, Jimmy returns solo and is ready to tackle the competition a second time. Having pursued a career in food full time in the years since his season, Jimmy works as a food photographer, content creator and brand ambassador, with his passion for great food remaining as strong as ever.
Laura Sharrad
Season 6, placed 2nd; Season 12, placed 2nd
Will third time be the charm for Adelaide chef Laura? With two runner-up titles to her name, best believe that Laura has every intention of taking it one step further this season. Laura has parlayed her skill and many years of hard work in professional kitchens, into an enviable food career as co-owner of Adelaide’s successful Fugazzi Bar & Dining and pasta bar Nido. While Italian cuisine, flavours and techniques will always be close to her heart, Laura’s talent spans all corners of the kitchen.
Matt Hopcraft
Season 7, placed 6th
Since leaving the competition, Matt continued his career in dentistry and is now an associate professor at Melbourne University, and respected industry expert. Having also worked in several kitchens to further enhance his pasta making skills, Matt remains a fan of down-to-earth, simple and tasty dishes, with sugar and sweets never high on his list. Matt plans to showcase more refinement in his dishes this time around, and looks forward to letting his creativity loose.
Pete Campbell
Season 13, placed 2nd
Though pipped at the post in MasterChef Australia’s Season 13 finale, Pete dove straight into the heat of the kitchen after the competition, joining the esteemed Peter Gilmore as a commis chef at Sydney’s Quay restaurant. Having hosted pop-ups in New York City, most recently Pete has been on the pans at Sydney’s Poly restaurant and is ready to show he can finish top of the table.
Rhiannon Anderson
Season 15, placed 2nd
With a love of South East Asian cuisine and ‘punch in the face’ flavours full of spice, chilli and of course finger lime, Rhiannon feels ready for what the season ahead may bring. Since leaving the kitchen, Rhiannon created her own business, Rhiplenish, running cooking demonstrations and working with brands. Rhiannon has a renewed mindset and intends on staying focused to go one better this season.
Rue Mupedzi
Season 15, placed 7th
Dental hygienist Rue Mupedzi admits fear held her back from reaching her full potential in Season 15 of MasterChef Australia, so she is determined not to squander this second chance to come back and do it right. Since leaving the MasterChef Australia kitchen, Rue worked part-time as a chef for private catering events, and completed cooking courses to perfect her skill and technique. Rue returns ready to showcase her growth and perseverance and promises to bring her competitive nature to the kitchen every day.
Samira El Khafir
Season 5, placed 3rd
Joining the competition in 2013 where she placed third, Samira was a qualified hairdresser and former telecommunications worker, busy raising her young family alongside her husband. After the competition, Samira capitalised on her experience in the kitchen to launch her own café, serving a modern Middle Eastern menu, and has since authored a cookbook, launched a range of low-carb products and worked as a recipe developer.
Sarah Todd
Season 6, placed 9th; Season 14, placed 2nd
Following her previous MasterChef Australia appearances, Sarah has created a lauded culinary career as an international chef, restaurateur, author, TV host and business owner. Blending classic French technique with her deft understanding of Indian flavours, Sarah’s creations are as unique as they are unforgettable. Sarah’s immense influence in India reached a pinnacle in 2023 when the country’s Prime Minister recognised her for her extraordinary contributions to the food industry. That same year Sarah launched her own sauce brand Hot Toddy, which quickly made its mark in the gourmet food sector.
Sav Perera
Season 16, placed 3rd
After placing third last season, Sav is determined not to waste her second chance and will be seizing every opportunity. The former banking consultant started her own business after leaving the competition last year, now working as a private chef and in event catering. Her star is on the rise in her beloved Sri Lanka too, where she enjoyed a hero’s welcome on recent visits, such is the pride her community felt at seeing her bring traditional Sri Lankan food to the global stage.
Snezana Calic
Season 16, placed 15th
A generous, instinctual home cook, Snezana will continue to proudly represent the Serbian community by cooking more traditional dishes, with her goal always to cook honest and flavoursome food, straight from the heart. The mum of two with a finance background has followed her passion since last season, working in restaurants to improve her skills and teaching pop-up cooking classes. Snezana has also created food content and began work on a cookbook exploring Mediterranean and Serbian style recipes.
Steph de Sousa
Season 11, placed 12th
The epitome of bright and bubbly, social media sensation Steph de Sousa now has close to three million dedicated online followers. Known as the ‘Frugal Foodie’, Steph has become the go-to for quick, easy, budget-friendly and family-friendly meals. Having authored two cookbooks, hosted her own television series and held ambassador roles after finishing twelfth in Season 11, this time around, Steph dreams of making the Top 10, and beyond.
Theo Loizou
Season 15, placed 4th
After finishing in fourth place in Season 15, Theo is focussed and ready to go all the way. Known as the ‘Bread Boy’ from his season, Theo plans to dig deeper into his Greek heritage, ready to show the judges how much he has grown as a cook. Though still working as an electrician, Theo has been diligently gathering restaurant experience and his dream of opening his own bakery is well and truly alive, with the wheels in motion to share his baked goods with the masses sooner rather than later.
Tim Bone
Previous season & place: Season 11, placed 4th
Placing fourth in Season 11, Ballarat’s Tim Bone took the ball and ran with it after his season ended, creating the hugely popular Tim’s Toasties, a mobile gourmet toasted sandwich business celebrating regional produce. Success followed and Tim has since proudly opened a bricks and mortar store this year. The host of TV’s Good Chef, Bad Chef returns to the MasterChef Australia kitchen a changed man.
MasterChef Australia: Back To Win is coming soon to 10 and 10 Play!
