Victoria Season 3 @michael_weldon

Michael Weldon has a few good mates to thank for the kickstart to his culinary career. Encouraged on a dare to enter Season 3 of MasterChef Australia, the former South Australian not only made it to the Top 24 but came in second place. Which means he now has just a single rung on the ladder left to climb to claim the coveted trophy this season.

Crediting MasterChef Australia with much of his career, passion and direction, Michael has fully immersed himself in food since last appearing on the show. He worked with a burger restaurant and a catering business, Well Done Food, and worked as the chef for the Little Miss Group at its Adelaide venues, the Crabshack, Little Miss Miami and Little Miss Mexico. Michael now works at Coles as an ambassador and Senior Development Chef developing products.

With a penchant for savoury flavours but great enjoyment preparing sweet treats, Michael loves to cook meat and seafood over charcoal, and is inspired by the restaurants of Thomas Keller, Peter Gilmore and Martin Benn.

In 2017 Michael had a recurring role on The Cooks Pantry cooking show. Two years later he landed himself a co-hosting role on the cooking show Farm to Fork. The show explores the journey food makes on its way from farmers and producers to people’s kitchens, and the best way to use those ingredients.

Michael leaves at home his partner Georgia and greyhound Roger, and when he’s not cooking, he loves to play golf, travel, fish and tend his veggie patch.