The best Aussie MasterChef contestants of all time!

Justine Schofield

One of the most successful MasterChef alumni, season one’s Justine told Woman’s Day that the show changed her life “in a massive way”. The bubbly blonde now shares her culinary skills with the masses on Everyday Gourmet cooking with fresh produce from Mission Foods, Cadbury and more.

Callum Hann

Even though 20-year-old student, Callum, sometimes looked like a deer in headlights, you could tell he was destined for great things. The season two runner-up worked for George Calombaris straight after the show and now runs his own cooking school, Sprout Cooking. He also took out the title in the spin-off series MasterChef Australia All-Stars.

Julie Goodwin

Mum-of-three, Julie, was the first person to be crowned winner of MasterChef Australia back in 2009. Her down-to-earth, family-first attitude impressed judges and viewers alike. Since leaving the MasterChef kitchen, supermum Jules has written four cookbooks, fronted a cookery show and contributed recipes to The Australian Women’s Weekly.

Marion Grasby

Season two favourite, Marion, always impressed us with her calm, yet creative approach to cooking from the heart. She’s now based in Thailand where she often runs into old judges (hi, Matt Preston!) and continues to grow her foodie empire, Marion’s Kitchen.

Adam Liaw

Adam always seemed to doubt that he had what he took to win season two. But, in the end his near-perfect dishes got him over the line and his humble attitude endeared him to viewers at home. He now hosts Destination Flavour, has been named a Goodwill Ambassador for Japanese cuisine and has two super-cute children, Christopher and Anna.

Poh Ling Yow

We’ll forever remember Poh’s EPIC croquembouche in season one. MasterChef clearly gave Poh a taste for TV; despite losing out to Julie in the final, she went on to star in Poh’s Kitchen, Poh’s Kitchen on the Road and Poh & Co., even getting nominated for a Logie back in 2011! Now she can be found in Adelaide Central Market at [Jamface by Poh].

Kumar Pereira

Kumar gave Hayden Quinn a run for his money in the favourite male of season three stakes. Granted, we can’t quite remember what he cooked, but Kumar’s appeal was in the charming sweetness he always displayed. He can now be found making and selling Hopper Kadé, Sri Lanken-inspired street food, in Sydney’s inner west.

Andy Allen

The season four winner was as famous for his food as he was for his “bromance” with fellow contestant, Ben Milbourne. After the show, the best mates travelled the world, cooking up a storm and sharing it all on YouTube. Andy is now the owner and chef of the Three Blue Ducks in Roseberry.

Emma Dean and Lynton Tapp

Our favourite foodie duo, Emma and Lynton, faced off in the season five final. Whilst Emma’s Plight of the Bees dessert scored four more points to earn her the trophy, the two remained best of mates and recently started filming My Market Kitchen together.

Laura Cassai

The season six final was as stressful and emotional as they come. On top of being asked to recreate a Peter Gilmore dessert, the finalists’ families were allowed into the MasterChef kitchen for moral support. Cue: emotional overflow. The then 19-year-old Laura pulled herself back from the brink of breakdown though and went out to earn herself runner up. Respect.

Brent Owens

The 2014 champ went up (even further) in our estimations when he handed over $50,000 of his prize money to fellow contestant Emelia Jackson after making an earlier pact. What a stand-up gent. He also impressed us with his fuss-free approach to food, which he continued in his cookbook, Dig In!.

Hayden Quinn and Daniel Churchil

They may have appeared two seasons apart, but that didn’t stop MasterChef hunks Hayden and Dan becoming firm friends and foodie colleagues. The laid-back lifeguard and former fitness coach had a love for food and surfing, so it’s apt that they now present Surfing The Menu.

Billie McKay

Billie was a fan favourite right from the start of season seven. Her love of food – and family – was evident. So was her desire to work for Heston Blumenthal – a dream that became a reality when the superstar chef offered Billie a job after she won the MasterChef final last year.

Reynold-Poernomo

As the Dessert King of season seven, Reynold had us drooling at the TV in awe of his sweet-toothed sorcery. The 22-year-old Woman’s Day fave has been called upon to put this year’s contestants through their paces. He also runs a dessert bar, KOI, in Sydney’s Chippendale. And as you can see, he’s mastered the art of not being distracted by his colleagues.

After his Masterchef win in 2018, Sashi has dipped his toe into the world of restaurants, opening GAJA Express and GAJA by Sashi in Adelaide’s CBD. He has also released his first cookbook, Kampong Boy, that is full of delicious Singaporean recipes.

Alvin Quah first appeared on Masterchef Australia in 2010 and returned for Masterchef: Fans and Favourites in 2022. Known for his iconic glasses collection and mouth-watering Malaysian food, Alvin has worked his way into the Masterchef Australia hall of fame.

Larissa Dominello was the youngest ever winner of Masterchef Australia at just 22. Since the show, Larissa has become a mum to her daughter Liliana and has opened Wildpear cafe with her family in Sydney’s north-west.