Steph de Sousa
Age: 52
State: New South Wales
Social handle: @steph_cooks_stuff
Previous season & place: Season 11, placed 12th
Social media sensation Steph de Sousa, affectionately known as ‘The Frugal Foodie’, now has close to three million dedicated followers online, and has fast become the go-to for quick, easy, budget-friendly and family-friendly meals.
With her first cookbook Air Fryer Queen a best seller, 2025 has seen Steph launch a second title, Easy Dinner Queen, inspiring even more fans to get into the kitchen. Since her last show-stopping performance in the MasterChef Australia kitchen, Steph has also hosted her very own TV show, Frugal Foodie, bringing her relatable recipes to life with her uniquely colourful brand of fun.
The epitome of bright and bubbly, Steph finished 12th in season 11, and dreams of making the Top 10 for Back To Win, and beyond. With a sense of unfinished business, Steph stands ready to rise to every challenge the judges might throw down.
Following her last appearance in this kitchen, Steph’s life has done a complete 180. Crediting MasterChef Australia with giving her the courage to knock on doors, she left her job in human resources and now works solely in the food industry, loving every minute. She has her own website called Easy Recipe Gang, and spends her days creating online content for her huge audience. Prior to growing her business, Steph also worked as a chef in a Modern Australian restaurant for a year, and operated her own catering company.
Born in Wynyard in north-west Tasmania but raised in Queensland, Steph later lived in Vanuatu and credits the French-speaking island for reinvigorating her passion for the kitchen. Island life taught her about buying and using organic and fresh ingredients from local markets, inspiring her love of cooking with instinct.
Supported at home by her husband Neville and four children, Steph is inspired by chefs including Andy Hearnden, Nagi Maehashi, Vaughan Mabee and Rick Stein.
