MasterChef Australia is returning for Season 17 in 2025 and bringing with it a whole new cast of hopeful contestants, and this time, it’s all about unfinished business.
With MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, fan-favourite contestants from seasons past will be stepping up for another shot at the title. Because once is never enough when the stakes are this high, right?
From Season 1 OGs to more recent standouts, these culinary contenders are ready to prove just how much they’ve levelled up since their first run in the MasterChef kitchen.
The chefs will be battling it out under the watchful eyes of returning Masterchef Australia judges Andy Allen, the iconic Poh Ling-Yeow, multi-Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, and esteemed food critic Sofia Levin.
The judging panel first came together in 2024, with Poh, Jean-Christophe, and Sofia stepping in after the heartbreaking loss of Jock Zonfrillo and the departure of Melissa Leong, who moved on to lend her expertise to Dessert Masters.
So, who’s back for another shot at kitchen glory? Here is the cast of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2025.
Alana Lowes
Alana Lowes made her mark in MasterChef Australia Season 3, where she came third. She launched a career that’s taken her across the globe as a food and travel presenter, writer, and magazine editor. She’s also dabbled in recipe development, food styling, photography, and even created her own sauce range.
Follow Alana: @alanalowes
Andre Ursini
Andre Ursini is back to reignite his passion for cooking, which he first showcased on MasterChef Australia Season 1, where he came 7th. Since then, he’s built a name in the Adelaide food scene, opening the beloved Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar and later launching Orso, Lost Phoenix Farm, and Villetta Porcini.
Follow Andre: @andreursinicooks
Audra Morrice
Audra Morrice splits her time between Sydney and Singapore, juggling roles as a TV presenter, cookbook author, and catering business owner. A judge on MasterChef Singapore and formerly MasterChef Asia, she’s returning to the MasterChef Australia kitchen to showcase diversity and culture through her food.
She was on Season 4 and placed third.
Follow Audra: @audramorrice
Beau Cook
After MasterChef Australia, Beau Cook pursued his dream of becoming a firefighter but never lost his passion for food. Inspired by Jamie Oliver, he specialises in simple, well-made dishes using homegrown ingredients and hopes to expand his farm-to-table lifestyle with more land, a bigger veggie patch, and animals.
He was on Season 4 and placed eighth.
Follow Beau: @beaucook
Ben Macdonald
Ben Macdonald returns to MasterChef Australia with his signature dry humour and determination. Over the past 11 years, he’s sharpened his skills by running a café, a bistro, and a fresh pasta delivery business in Auckland, New Zealand.
Ben was on Season 6 and placed sixth.
Follow Ben: @foodie_ben
Callum Hann
Callum Hann may know the MasterChef Australia kitchen inside out, but even on his third attempt, the nerves are real. Since his last stint, he’s expanded his food empire with two new Adelaide restaurants, Olive and Roma, while growing his cooking school, Sprout, alongside cookbooks, events, and media commitments.
Callum as on Season 2 where he placed second, and returned for Season 12 and came fourth.
Follow Callum: @callums_kitchen
Cath Collins
After finishing fifth in 2023, Cath Collins is back with a calmer mindset and a focus on having fun. Since her last run, she’s fully embraced a food-focused life, turning her passion into a career. She was on Season 15 and came fifth.
Follow Cath: @cathskitchen_au
Darrsh Clarke
Fresh off MasterChef Australia Season 16, Darrsh Clarke is diving straight back in for another shot at the title. Now based in Melbourne, he’s immersing himself in the city’s food scene — sharing a house with 2024 winner Nat Thaipun and fellow contestant David Tan, with the trio occasionally teaming up for exclusive private dining experiences.
Darrsh is looking to improve on his sixth-placed finish on MasterChef 2024.
Follow Darrsh: @darrshclarke
Declan Cleary
Declan Clearly’s still all about seafood, but this time, he’s bringing a deeper, more creative repertoire to impress the judges. While running his building business, he’s also become a global brand ambassador, traveling for cooking demos and content creation — all while chasing his dream of opening a farm-to-fork venue.
Declan was a fan favourite on Season 15 and came third.
Follow Declan: @declancleary
Depinder Chhibber
Since her last MasterChef Australia Season 13 appearance, where she came eighth, Depinder Chhibber has launched Ghar, a supper club celebrating Indian home-style dining, and even appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef India in 2023. Known for her incredible Indian cuisine and calm presence, she’s back to inspire her daughters to believe in themselves and chase their passions.
Follow Depinder: @depinder_
Jamie Fleming
Since MasterChef Australia Season 6 ignited his dream (where he placed fourth), Jamie Fleming has launched two successful venues — Brisbane’s award-winning Alba Bar & Deli and, in 2024, Spill Wine in Maleny. For Jamie, food is his love language, and he’s all about creating meaningful dining experiences through every dish he serves.
Jimmy Wong
Back in MasterChef Australia Season 8, Jimmy Wong competed alongside his sister Theresa and came 19th. This time, he’s flying solo. Now a full-time food photographer, content creator, and brand ambassador, he’s back with the same passion and a sharper skill set to take on the competition.
Follow Jimmy: @jimmywongeats
Laura Sharrad
Will the third time be the charm for Adelaide’s Laura Sharrad? With two runner-up titles to her name, she’s more determined than ever to finally take the crown. As co-owner of Fugazzi Bar & Dining and pasta bar Nido, she’s built an enviable career, proving her talent goes far beyond Italian cuisine.
Laura came second on both Season 6 and Season 12.
Follow Laura: @laurasharrad
Matt Hopcraft
Since MasterChef Australia Season 7, where he came sixth, Matt Hopcraft has balanced his career in dentistry (now an associate professor at Melbourne University) with his passion for food. Having honed his pasta-making skills in professional kitchens, he’s back to bring more refinement to his dishes while staying true to his love for simple, down-to-earth flavours.
Follow Matt: @matt_hopcraft
Pete Campbell
After finishing runner-up in MasterChef Australia Season 13, Pete Campbell wasted no time diving into the industry, working under Peter Gilmore at Sydney’s Quay. With pop-ups in New York and a stint at Sydney’s Poly, he’s back to prove he has what it takes to finally claim the top spot.
Follow Pete: @my.mate.pete
Rhiannon Anderson
Rhiannon Anderson is back with her bold South East Asian flavours. Since her last run on Season 15 where she came second, she’s launched Rhiplenish, hosting cooking demos and collaborating with brands, and this time, she’s more focused than ever on taking it all the way.
Follow Rhiannon: @Rhiannon
Rue Mupedzi
Rue Mupedzi is back with a second chance and no room for fear. Since MasterChef Australia Season 15, where she came seventh, she’s honed her skills through private catering and cooking courses. Now, she’s ready to prove her growth, perseverance, and competitive edge in the kitchen.
Follow Rue: @ruetendom
Samira El Khafir
Samira El Khafir first wowed audiences in MasterChef Australia 2013, finishing third while juggling life as a hairdresser and busy mum. Since then, she’s launched her own café, authored a cookbook, developed recipes, and created a range of low-carb products, all while championing modern Middle Eastern cuisine.
Follow Samira: @samiraelkhafir
Sarah Todd
Since her MasterChef Australia journey, Sarah Todd has built a stellar career as an international chef, restaurateur, author, and TV host. Known for blending French techniques with bold Indian flavours, she was honoured by India’s Prime Minister in 2023 for her impact on the food industry, the same year she launched her hit sauce brand, Hot Toddy.
Sarah came ninth on Season 6 and second on Season 14.
Follow Sarah: @sarahtodd
Sav Perera
After finishing third last season, Sav Perera is back with a fierce determination to make this chance count. Since MasterChef Australia, she’s launched her own business as a private chef and caterer while earning hero status in Sri Lanka for showcasing her homeland’s cuisine on the global stage.
Follow Sav: @savisquishles
Snezana Calic
Snezana Calic is back to proudly represent the Serbian community with heartfelt, flavoursome dishes. Since her last MasterChef Australia run, the mum of two has honed her skills in restaurants, hosted pop-up cooking classes, created food content, and started work on a cookbook celebrating Mediterranean and Serbian cuisine.
Snezana was loved by fans and placed 15th on Season 16.
Follow Snezana: @snezanacalic_official
Steph de Sousa
Bright and bubbly social media sensation Steph de Sousa has amassed nearly three million followers as the Frugal Foodie, known for her quick, budget-friendly meals. Since finishing 12th in Season 11, she’s authored two cookbooks, hosted her own TV series, and now has her sights set on cracking the Top 10 and beyond.
Follow Steph: @steph_cooks_stuff
Theo Loizou
After finishing fourth in Season 15, Theo Loizou is back with his eyes on the prize. Dubbed the Bread Boy, he’s been diving deeper into his Greek heritage while gaining restaurant experience. He’s still working as an electrician but steadily working toward his dream of opening his own bakery.
Follow Theo: @theegram
Tim Bone
After finishing fourth in Season 11, Ballarat’s Tim Bone turned his passion into Tim’s Toasties, a hit mobile gourmet toastie business celebrating regional produce. Now the owner of a brick-and-mortar store and a host on Good Chef, Bad Chef, he’s back in the MasterChef Australia kitchen as a new man.
Follow Tim: @timbonefood
