Top ten class of MasterChef 2017

Arum Nixon, 34, NSW, Advertising Strategist: Arum’s confidence has grown throughout the competition, after he secured the very last apron available in the Top 24. After losing the first two team challenges, the Englishman found his stride in Sweet Week. It was his first pressure test, completing Deniz Karaca’s challenging Passion for Caramel Tart, which made him realise just how much he wants to win this competition.

Ben Ungermann, 32, Queensland, Retail Manager: Ben found his feet cooking in David Thompson’s Thai inspired challenges, and gained his first victory in an invention test. It was followed a week later by a tasting in Yotam Ottolenghi’s mystery box. With each cook, the father-of-three has gained confidence, inspired further as one of only three contestants not put into elimination during Heston Week.

Callan Smith, 18, NSW, Student: A lover of weird, wacky and wonderful ways to cook, the teenage sensation affectionately named ‘Mini Heston’ would love nothing more than to take out this competition. With a strong focus on sweets, Callan has marveled the judges with flavours including pairing icy granita with soup, which left Thai legend David Thompson to declare he hated a dish that was so smart.

Diana Chan, 29, Victoria, Accountant: With an impressive record boasting five mystery box tastings, including one win, and twice named top three in an invention test, Diana has showcased an array of impressive skills. Victorious in Sweet Week’s invention test with a strawberries and cream ice cream, and in multiple savoury challenges, Diana’s calm and measured approach in the kitchen has allowed her to consistently plate up impressive food.

Eliza Wilson, 30, Victoria, Theatre Nurse: A strong contender across both sweet and savoury, Eliza secured her apron in the Top 24 following an impressive profiterole cook using lemons in Maggie Beer’s challenge. Twice scoring places in both the mystery box tastings and invention test top three, she has proved a solid cook, successfully cooking throughout Heston Week without finding herself in elimination.

Eloise Praino, 32, South Australia, Graduate Law Clerk: As the only winner of a coveted immunity pin, after an incredible waffle dish in round one and an indulgent chocolate mousse against Charlie Carrington in round two, Eloise has been plating up interesting and decedent dishes, often using her signature whiskey flavour. Twice securing a place in the invention test top three and tasted twice in a mystery box with one win to her name, Eloise survived her first pressure test cooking Yotam Ottolenghi’s mezze feast.

Karlie Verkerk, 26, NSW, Copywriter: A firm competitor, Sydney’s copywriter with a passion for interior design has wowed the judges with her flavorsome and often Asian-inspired dishes. Routinely top of the class, she has had three mystery box tastings of which two won her back-to-back advantages with David Thompson and Yotam Ottolenghi. She has twice been named top three for the invention test, and won Curtis Stone’s invention test, securing her a coveted Power Pin.

Sam Goodwin, 25, Victoria, Construction Coordinator: Ocean Grove’s Sam has cemented his place in the Top 10, securing a mystery box win and twice named top three in an invention test. Cooking for his idol Ben Shewry was a highlight, praised for his smoked rice ice cream, which secured him his first invention test placing. Having survived both Josue Lopez and Deniz Karaca’s feared pressure tests, Sam’s methodical and calm demeanor has deemed him one to watch in MasterChef Australia.

Sarah Tiong, 25, NSW, Risk Consultant: With a strong Malaysian background, Sarah has routinely cooked well in the competition, competing twice now against two professional chefs, although both times just missing out on a pin. To take her place in the first immunity cook, she cooked a dish using bok choy which Gary said completely changed his take on the vegetable. After securing her apron in the Top 24 following an impressive Malaysian pancake in Maggie Beer’s lemon challenge, Sarah established herself as a solid performer, claiming early victories in home cooking week, Ben Shewry’s invention test and Sweet Week. Now named three times for mystery box tasting and three times securing a top place in an invention test, Sarah also captained her team to victory in the glasshouse challenge.

Tamara Graffen, 28, West Australia, Engineering Officer: It is doubtful anyone in the competition has had a journey as eventful as Tamara. Over one week alone, she found herself in the bottom four in Curtis Stone’s invention test, eliminated the following night in Deniz Karaca’s pressure test, and reclaimed her apron the following night when she battled the other 11 eliminated contestants for a spot back in the competition. At the end of that week, she also survived potluck elimination after her team’s loss at the pop up challenge. It has been a whirlwind journey for the woman who lives for creativity, completing DIY projects and making outfits for her dog, Apples.