Age: 58

State: New South Wales 

Instagram: @jimmywongeats 

Previous season & place: Season 8, placed 19th

Last time he entered the MasterChef Australia kitchen, Jimmy Wong had a secret weapon by his side, sister Theresa who competed alongside him. It was the first time the nation saw a brother and sister battle it out for the chance to become the next MasterChef Australia. This time Jimmy enters the competition solo and is ready to take it by storm.

Following his MasterChef experience in season eight, Jimmy quit his job as a Sustainability Specialist and Director of Design to follow his passion into the culinary world. Jimmy has revelled in becoming a fixture of Sydney’s foodie scene, working as a food photographer and content creator for brands, as well as becoming a brand ambassador himself. Jimmy has come Back To Win to showcase his growth, love of the stories behind food and prove that you should never underestimate an underdog.

Inspired by Peter Gilmore, Junda Khoo and Federico Zanellato, Jimmy says he still regularly turns to sister Theresa for advice, and together the pair discuss their inspirations for food across time zones and continents.

As the eldest of four children, Jimmy proves the apple does not fall far from the tree when it comes to culinary passion, as his parents ran a grocery store and Chinese restaurants when he was young, where his late father worked front of house and his mother worked in the kitchen.

Born in Singapore and living for a time in Canada as a child, Jimmy was 14 when his parents moved the Wong brood to Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Jimmy then worked and travelled extensively in Asia, with a great deal of time in Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.

The best meal Jimmy has ever eaten remains the Confit of Ocean trout encrusted with kombu, parsley oil and fennel salad at Tetsuyas in Balmain. This dish ignited his passion in the culinary world.

Supported by partner Jay and his whole family, Jimmy might be the oldest contestant in the competition this season, but his youthful outlook and sunny attitude will help keep his eyes trained on the top prize.