Age: 48

State: Queensland

Instagram: @rhiplenish 

Previous season & place: Season 15, placed 2nd

Rhiannon Anderson knows a thing or two about competition. Whether as a water-skiing champion or MasterChef Australia season 15 runner up, Rhiannon is made of tough stuff, proving that she can absorb pressure and perform at her best.

Returning to the MasterChef Australia kitchen from her beloved Townsville, Rhiannon has a renewed mindset and is focused on going one better for Back To Win. Used to cooking for her big brood, the mum of five and grandmother of six brings her energy and positivity with her to battle it out again this season.

With a cooking style described as eclectic and with flavour that ‘punches you in the face’, Rhiannon’s love of South East Asian cuisine will again shine through, always full of spice, chilli and of course finger lime.

Since leaving the MasterChef Australia kitchen, Rhiannon has been living her best life, launching her own business, Rhiplenish, where she has run cooking demos, workshops and masterclasses, and has worked alongside brands. She has been a guest judge at events, cooked at an international food festival, and promoted local farms. Rhiannon is also a proud national ambassador for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. During her last season, Rhiannon’s biggest inspiration was her mum Sue, who sadly lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2021. Her mum became a chef when Rhiannon was 11 and taught her daughter all she knew in the kitchen, imploring her to apply for MasterChef Australia.

Intending to make every second on the famed MasterChef Australia clock count this season to wow the judges, Rhiannon favours savoury over sweet and rustic cuisine over fine dining. She is inspired in the kitchen by local legends Maggie Beer, Nick Holloway, Josh Niland and Luke Nguyen.

Rhiannon returns to the MasterChef Australia kitchen focussed, but also ready to have more fun this time. She’ll be doing all she can to ensure it is her lifting the trophy high at finale.

Later this year Rhiannon has plans to hit the road and travel around Australia with her husband and daughter, visiting farms and markets to showcase their incredible fresh produce and cook in epic locations to share on her YouTube channel.