They’re back! Meet the contestants of MasterChef Australia 2022: Foodies vs Faves

Julie Goodwin, season one winner

She’s the original champ of the very first season of MasterChef Australia, taking out the top spot in a nail-biting finale against Poh Ling Yeow. After winning the series, she landed her own segment on The 7pm Project and later hosted her own cooking show on the Nine Network called Home Cooked With Julie Goodwin.

Julie also wrote her first cook book titled Our Family Table, and went on to release several more including a series for the 20/20 diet and family meals. She also launched a website filled with recipes and appeared in the first season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2015.

Tommy Pham, season 13

Fan-favourite from the latest season in 2021, it makes sense he’d be selected to return after placing seventh earlier this year.

The kindergarten teacher from NSW won over fans thanks to his heartfelt appearance on the show, he also wowed the judges with his delectable dishes – especially his Vietnamese recipes, which he’s continued to share on Instagram after being eliminated from the series.

Michael Weldon, season three

Former runner-up Michael was confirmed to be among the returning stars by 10 earlier this year.

He famously placed second in the third season in 2011, going on to work with Coles Supermarkets in product development. He later landed a role as co-host of the food-loving TV series Farm to Fork alongside Courtney Roulston and fellow MasterChef alum Sarah Todd and Andy Allen (whose now a judge).

Sashi Cheliah, season 10 winner

Who could forget the moment humble home cook Sashi won the competition in 2018? With epic hugs from his kids as the confetti sprinkled on down in the finale, we couldn’t have imagined a more deserving winner of the highest EVER score in a MasterChef finale.

Following his win, Sashi opened a series of pop-up restaurants called GAJA by Sashi before putting down roots in his local Adelaide with a restaurant and express version of GAJA. He also launched his own home chef kits called Sashi’s Secret, with kits for dishes like Nasi Goreng and Malaysian Chicken Curry.

Sarah Todd, season six

Having appeared on season six in 2014 – where she placed ninth and famously gained 50k followers in India after cooking aloo gobi – Sarah went on to open her own restaurant in Goa, India, and document the process in an SBS Australia docuseries My Restaurant in India.

She also filmed a series called Serve It Like Sarah while she was in India, and followed her experience up with the release of My Healthy Model Cookbook and the documentary Awesome Assam With Sarah Todd.

Opening her second restaurant, The Wine Rack in Mumbai, she filmed a second docuseries aptly titled My Second Restaurant in India for SBS Australia. Now She’s working with her co-stars Michael and Andy on Farm to Fork for 10.

Alvin Quah, season two

Appearing on the show in 2010, Alvin placed fifth in the second season.

He later returned to the show in season three to give cooking lessons to new contestants during MasterClass, and went on to work with food brands including Ayam as an ambassador.

Mindi Woods, season four

After leaving the competition in season four, Mindi became the Head of Culinary Development for the Lotus Group, and she later became its CEO. She then opened a venue in Byron Bay and represented Australia as a guest chef at the World Expo in Dubai. As a Bundjalung woman of the Widjabul Wia bul clan, she loves to connect Indigenous and non-Indigenous people with Aboriginal arts and stories with food. Be prepared for her exciting use of native ingredients!

Minoli De Silva, season 13

After winning hearts during last year’s MasterChef season, Minoli is back with more confidence to share her passion for Sri Lankan cuisine. Over the past year, she has opened pop-up restaurants, hosted cooking classes and gained restaurant experience.

Christina Batista, season five

She came to the famous kitchen in season five and made it to finals week. After her stint on the show, the Portuguese inspired cook completed work experience at Quay and started a market stall and catering business.

Billie McKay, season seven winner

Since starring in and winning season seven of the show, Billie’s worked in Heston Blumenthal’s three-Michelin star restaurant, The Fat Duck. Now back in Australia, she’s gone into cheesemaking.

Aldo Ortado, season 10

Aldo was a fan favourite during his time on season 10 of the show, where he brought recipes handed down from his Nonna to our screens. Since his time on the show, he has appeared on TV cooking segments and has opened pop-up restaurants around Sydney.

John Carasig, season seven

From season seven, fans will remember John as the brains behind some of the most infamous dishes seen in the MasterChef kitchen, like his white chocolate velouté. He is known for his meticulous desserts, Italian techniques, and his passion for Filipino cuisine fused with Australian produce.

Matt Krapivsky, VIC, Osteopath

Matt first appeared on season 13 of the show, but he missed out on a spot in the top 24, and now he has finally earned an apron, he can prove himself.

Steph Woon, VIC, Banking Analysist

Steph is a lover of Japanese cuisine, and she wants to open a patisserie filled with Japanese and southeast Asian cakes and pastries.

Matt Landmark, VIC, Secondary Teacher

Matt takes a studious approach to cooking by reading cookbooks and working with new tech.

Keyma Vasquez Montero, VIC, Stay-at-home mum

Keyma loves cooking rustic street foods with familiar flavours from her childhood, and she wants to represent the Latin and Spanish communities.

Montana Hughes, QLD, Influencer

The influencer posts recipes and food content on TikTok, Instagram, and her website, but now she wants to give her content to the judges.

Melanie Persson, WA, PhD Student

Melanie is a self-taught cook and a coeliac who wants to prove that gluten-free food doesn’t have to be average.

Daniel Lamble, NT, Firefighter

Perhaps it’s a credit to his career, but Daniel loves to cook over an open flame with coal. He is self-taught through his dad, YouTube, and cooking shows.

Jenn Lee, QLD, Dentist

Jenn likes to make Taiwanese-style sponge cakes and is learning how to fold dumplings on her days off. She is interested in both savoury and sweet cooking.

Dulan Hapuarachchi, VIC, Financial Analysis

Dulan likes to host family feasts with traditional Sri Lankan food and flavours and wants to open a Sri Lankan-inspired café with his wife.

Harry Tomlinson, VIC, Barista and Coffee Roaster

This cook loves a homely meal made with fresh and seasonal produce.

Chris Tran, VIC, Marketing Advisor

With a trained chef for a father, food was a big part of Chris’ childhood, and now, he wants to bring his Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine to the MasterChef kitchen.

Ali Stoner, VIC, Artist

Ali likes to challenge herself with seasonal veggies to make her family’s meals, and she’s excited to give the mystery box challenges a crack.