All the contestants who were eliminated from MasterChef Australia 2025

Callum returned to the MasterChef kitchen for a third time, determined to showcase everything he was capable of.

Each week, he impressed the judges with his strategy, confidence, flavours and attention to detail.

Speaking exclusively with New Idea before the finale, he said he felt more confident than ever returning.

“It’s probably the most comfortable I felt in the space and most comfortable I felt in my own skin, I suppose, in terms of maybe the first time I was in the kitchen as a 19-year-old, I had a little bit of that sort of impostor syndrome of, you know, ‘Do I deserve to be here? Am I good enough?’ All those kinds of things,” he said.

“Whereas I think now with a 15-year-plus career in the hospitality industry behind me, I feel like I deserve the spot in the competition in the first place.”

Returning for another chance at the win, he knew he had to bring his best.

“Whilst this is my third time and I felt the most comfortable I ever had in the competition, I do feel like I’ve also had to push myself more, even more than maybe I imagined, because the standard of everyone else has been so high, which is a really wonderful thing,” he said.

He competed in a nail-biting finale against Laura, and while they tied in the first round, he faltered under the pressure in the subsequent test.

In the end, he finished with a score of 73, and Laura won with 80 points.

Despite not winning, he said he gained so much.

“I did come back to win, but I also know how much value there is in this kitchen regardless of what place you come,” he said during the show.

“And I think that every single person here is a winner and we all gain something, whether it is our cooking skill or who we are as people and growing in other ways. 

“I think experiences like this will help me become… a better husband, a better dad, and better for my team back home as well.”

However, he did not go home empty-handed – for coming second, he was given $40,000.

Speaking exclusively with New Idea weeks before the finale, he said saying yes to compete again was a no-brainer.

“Whilst this is my third time and I felt the most comfortable I ever had in the competition, I do feel like I’ve also had to push myself more, even more than maybe I imagined, because the standard of everyone else has been so high, which is a really wonderful thing,” he said.

Jamie returned to MasterChef to showcase his skills and reignite his passion for food.

Throughout the competition, he impressed the judges with his techniques, flavours and confidence in the kitchen.

However, he just fell short of the grand finale, in a service challenge, where Laura and Callum made it through.

“I always thought to beat either one of these two, I had to absolutely swing for the fences in both technique and flavour and concept,” he said.

“And that’s what I did.”

Although he “missed the mark a little bit”, he had no regrets.

Proud of his menu, he was determined to keep cooking.

“That little fire is definitely lit,” he said.

“And that’s absolutely the food that I want to showcase, and showcase great producers from around the country and really highlight what they have to offer. 

“So, I can’t thank this process enough. But to share this experience with these two? Amazing.”

During the finale, Jamie was given $10,000 for coming third.

When Depinder returned to MasterChef, she felt more confident and “grounded”, ready to tackle anything.

Speaking exclusively with New Idea, she said MasterChef was a big part of her life.

“I would never turn an opportunity to cook that kitchen down, regardless of the amount of times I’ve cooked in there,” she said.

Throughout the competition, she wowed the judges with her flavours, dish concepts and her ability to make ingredients shine.

She exceeded her expectations and made it to the top four.

Depinder said it was “bittersweet” to leave the competition, but she was “grateful” for the experience.

“I left everything behind with my head held high,” she said.

This time around, she followed her instincts more and pushed herself.

“I’ve taken more risks this time around. Coming back, I felt deeply grounded and confident. I had a very clear vision of what I wanted to cook,” she explained.

She also wanted to set an example for her young daughters – to always pursue their passions.

So, what is next for Depinder?

She plans to continue running her supper club, Ghar by Depinder in Newcastle, and has her sights set on two other big dreams.

The first is to release her own cookbook, because she can document her recipes and make them accessible to others.

The second is to host her own TV show.

Ben won the first and only MasterChef immunity pin and became known as the ultimate elimination dodger.

Surviving many battles, he did not play his pin for weeks.

Despite this, throughout the competition, he was commended for his technique, flavours and finesse.

While he made it to the top five, he was eliminated in fifth place.

“I’m pretty gutted that I’m going home today, but at the same time, I’ve gained so much from being in it,” he said.

“I had a couple of years out of professional kitchens, and sort of almost lost my love of food a little bit, and being back in this competition has really lit that fire again.”

Despite not winning, he said he already felt like he won, because he had the chance to cook alongside Gordon Ramsay, in a Michelin-starred kitchen, and connect with the other contestants.

“I’m so glad I came back and I’m so glad for what I got out of it,” he said.

Returning to MasterChef for a third time was an easy decision for Sarah.

Although well-acquainted with the kitchen, she did not expect the amount of self-growth she experienced.

“Going back, I really pushed outside my comfort zone and felt like I really became the Sarah that is inside my mind, and just was able to put that onto the plate and cook with without any fear,” she exclusively told New Idea.

Having worked in the food industry for over a decade, she knew she had the skills, so she wanted to create dishes she was proud of.

While she had the confidence, she was uncertain about her cooking style.

“I love that there were days where I take a dish up to the judges and they said, ‘Look, if we were blind tasting, we would know that this is your dish.’ And that was the moment where I was like, ‘I think I’ve found my cooking style in this kitchen,'” she explained.

“I think that I found that storytelling and flavour that has is my signature style.”

Having been in the competition three times, Sarah has had her food critiqued by all the judges and was particularly excited to present her food to four-time Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Having trained at a French culinary school and with dreams of owning her Michelin-starred restaurant, she loved his encouragement.

“I think the days I was cooking these really classic techniques and he was just so excited to see me cooking that, and it just really hit home with him,” she said. “I just felt excited to take my dishes up to him and to get that kind of um acknowledgement from him.”

The bonds she made with other contestants, including Rhi and Declan, were also a highlight.

While she has maintained friendships with people she’s competed against, she did not anticipate her relationship with Declan.

“It was amazing to have that connection and just to be able to relax after a long day, and he understands what it’s like to be in that pressure cooker of a situation and to be able to walk out of the kitchen and just be able to relax and have him understand,” she said.

“So, it’s been amazing to have that.”

As for what’s next?

She’s been busy with a collaborative pop-up to promote her Hot Toddy chilli sauce, and wants to do more pop-ups nationwide.

She also plans to return to fine dining and is perfecting some dishes behind the scenes.

When Snezana returned to the MasterChef kitchen for a second time, she was determined to make it past the first day.

She certainly exceeded her expectations!

The ambitious cook won the judges over with her skills, flavours and positive approach to the competition.

Sadly, she came unstuck in the time challenge, when she left little time to execute her mushroom ragu.

While she said she was “intimidated” by the calibre of contestants, she was happy with her efforts.

“You get to go to MasterChef once, but to get to go twice and to experience all this, it’s so special,” she shared when she was eliminated.

“I’m so proud of myself today getting this far and making all these friendships. It’s pure magic.”

It’s been 14 years since Alana joined MasterChef for the first time.

The chance to return was a no-brainer for the mother of two.

While she was excited to be there, she admitted she felt out of her depth.

“I felt super green at first,” she told New Idea. “As in, not experienced enough to be back with some of these people, because they’ve got amazing careers and have multiple restaurants between them … and I’m thinking, ‘I have really got my work cut out for me.’”

Since her first stint on the show, Alana has worked as a TV presenter, food writer, stylist, editor, and has also released her line of sauces.

Throughout the competition, she was praised for her flavour combinations and techniques.

However, she was sent home in an intense duel, where she competed against Sarah Todd and then Laura Sharrad.

“I might not have come out on top this time, but I’m still so grateful for all of the skills that I have learnt,” she said on the show after her elimination.

“Alana 14 years ago would of never had the courage to do the dishes that Alana present-day, is currently doing.”

All in all, she told New Idea that she has gone from strength to strength since her last appearance.

“When I was on the
show last time, I was scared to try new things and preferred to stay in my lane,” she explained.

“But now, I feel like my experience and my breadth of knowledge of food is 
just so much greater than when I was on the show 
the first time.”

Audra couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go compete in MasterChef for a second time.

Following her time on the show, she’s been a judge on MasterChef Singapore and MasterChef Asia, and said it was daunting being on the other side of the bench.

After reaching the top 10, she was sent home just before the contestants found out they were going to Qatar.

Despite her elimination, she told the judges she felt “really good”.

“I mean, I came in to express and show the simplicity of cultural cuisine, and that food doesn’t always have to be complicated,” she said.

She said the experience pushed her outside of her comfort zone.

“13 years ago, I embarked on this journey to discover my dream,” she continued on Instagram.

“Since then, I’ve followed my heart, connected with and cooked for people from all over. I’ve said yes to pretty everything that came my way but only if it aligned with who I was.

She continued by saying she was grateful for the experience, and thanked the crew, contestants and judges.

Andre returned to MasterChef with the desire to reignite his passion for cooking after being preoccupied with managing his restaurants.

His comeback marked 16 years since he first stepped into the famous kitchen; and he was ready to give it his all.

“I didn’t think it would be this hard! It doesn’t matter how much experience you have in a commercial kitchen, this is a very different ballgame. I think everyone who’s stepped in that kitchen deserves kudos,” he exclusively told New Idea.

It was a different set-up from his usual workplace.

“Not knowing 
what you’re gonna 
be doing for the day, being thrown curveballs as far as what the challenges are and the conditions of the challenge… and then you also have to run around, get your ingredients, get your equipment, and then you have to cook,” he continued.

While he made it to the top 10, he was then eliminated in a gruelling pressure test.

“I’ve been eliminated, I’m devastated, but I’ve come so far in the competition,” he said on the show.

“I came in here with no expectations and got to the top 10, so I’m feeling pretty invigorated.”

He also expressed his gratitude to his wife and children for supporting him through this journey.

Declan returned to MasterChef with his heart on his sleeve, ready to showcase his evolution as a cook.

Week after week, he brought passion, creativity and joy to every cook.

Sadly, he just missed out on being a part of the top 10, and was sent home in a challenge set by Maggie Beer.

“Walking through those MasterChef doors took exactly that 20 seconds of courage,” he wrote on Instagram after his elimination. “I had no idea where it would lead, but I knew I’d regret not giving it a crack.

“This chapter may be closing, but what a ride it’s been. I’m proud of what I put up, what I learnt, and the people I shared it with.”

While he was sad to go, it did not mark the end of his cooking journey.

“I came here to win, but I think looking at it now, I came here to bring joy and put smiles on everyone’s faces,” he said to the judges.

“But, it’s not the end, it is just the beginning for me. I think I’m peak Declan at the moment, and definitely a force to be reckoned with.”

As for what he plans to do next? Open up his seafood bistro.

On the personal front, he is living with his partner and fellow contestant Sarah Todd, and spending time with her son Phoenix.

It was a dream come true for Theo to return to the MasterChef kitchen, having competed only years prior.

Affectionately known as the “bread boy”, he was determined to showcase his baking skills, as well as his Greek heritage.

Unfortunately, he was sent home in a cook-along challenge, which Curtis Stone led.

“There’s a weird energy about this kitchen when you walk in, it’s like anxiety hits you like a brick wall, but it also this amazing feeling of rallying together with these people, and talking about food all the time,” he said when he was eliminated.

While he was sad to leave, he had no regrets.

“I think the biggest takeaway from the competition this time around is it’s not the end of the world if you make a mistake, it really isn’t. It’s just obstacles, you get around them and you live to fight another day,” he said.

Now, the electrician is ready to see his girlfriend and make his bakery dreams a reality.

Returning to MasterChef was a dream come true for Beau, after being a part of the show in 2012.

The professional firefighter and cookbook author brought creativity, flair and finesse to every challenge.

Unfortunately, he was sent home in a heartbreaking elimination.

Although his journey on the show came to an end, he was thankful to return.

“I’m actually shocked that I made it this far. It’s been really good,” he said, adding that being with the other contestants was a highlight.

“I’m absolutely proud of myself. It was wild competing on MasterChef for a second time, I didn’t think that would ever happen.”

Now, he is set to launch his newest venture WILDPOINT Drinks, in July.

According to Instagram, the business is Australian-owned, and the drinks will be made entirely from Australian lemons.

Samira has always taught her children about the importance of not giving up, so she wanted to bring that energy to MasterChef.

Knowing the commitment it takes to film the show for months on end, she was initially hesitant but decided to throw her hat into the ring.

“I still see myself as the same cook that I always saw myself as. If anything, this competition has taught me to have more confidence just within myself and my message and my food to be honest,” she exclusively told New Idea.

When she competed for the first time, she suffered from post-natal depression and wanted to make big changes for herself.

She told us that the second time around, she was determined to promote a specific message.

“This time around, I wanted to promote more multiculturalism, inclusion, and diversity,” she said.

“And I wanted to show the food for what it truly was to be able to promote my culture for what it truly is. Like with more of the larger humbling meals that were more ethnic, more welcoming.”

Kindness and sustainability were also at the forefront of her mind.

Always impressing the judges with her hearty and delicious meals, Samira was sadly eliminated.

While she said she would have done her final dish differently, she embraced every minute of her return to the show.

“I absolutely love the experience. It was completely different to the first time around. I think a lot of us were a lot more mature,” she said about returning 12 years after her MasterChef debut.

After the show, Samira is ready to travel and showcase different cultures and their food on her social media channels. She also plans to showcase sustainable and cost-effective dishes people can make at home.

Returning to MasterChef a year after his debut, Darrsh was ready to showcase how much he had grown.

Determined to chase his food dream, he moved from Perth to Melbourne after first appearing on the show. With that, he moved in with his fellow contestants Nat Thaipun and David Tan.

Known as the king of desserts, he dished up food that was flavoursome and refined, and also showcased his skills in savoury cooking.

Unfortunately, his choux pastry fell short during viral week.

“Meeting all of these amazing people, it’s been very inspiring to be around, and I think just having that energy to be around you really motivates you and I’m really excited for what’s next,” he said.

“I’m definitely going to use this experience to change my life going forward,” he continued.

He then revealed that he planned to fill a gap in Melbourne’s food scene and start a cookie business with David.

Being asked to return to the MasterChef kitchen was an honour for Tim, and something beyond his “wildest dreams”.

The Ballarat local and the proud owner of Tim’s Toasties was ready to embrace the experience.

Although he was sad to be eliminated from the show, he would not change a thing.

“The standard was just so high. I was just hanging on for dear life, just trying to do food that I was super proud of and that the judges liked,” he exclusively told New Idea in an exit interview.

While he loved returning, he said he wished he embraced it more and got out of his own head.

“I never cooked the best dish of the day in a challenge. I never won a challenge and I think I was just striving to get to that point,” he explained.

“I was just putting so much pressure on myself and looking back I think I should have just relaxed more and just really enjoyed the process.”

Despite his time being cut short, he was thankful for it all.

“It’s because of MasterChef that I’ve gotten to where I am today and I just cherish the chefs so much, the judges, the crew, and just the whole process and I wouldn’t change anything for the world,” he said.

The father of two said it was also a great chance to show his young boys to follow their dreams.

After the show, he’s gearing up to film another season of Good Chef Bad Chef , and is focusing on his Tim’s Toasties store. Keep your eyes peeled, because he’s planning some dessert toasties!

Rue told New Idea that returning to MasterChef felt like “lightning struck twice”, and it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

Overjoyed to return, she said it was “like a better internship”, and the chance to build on her skills.

Unfortunately, she was sent home in a heartbreaking elimination.

Reflecting on the experience, the only regret she had was holding back in the kitchen with the mindset that she would cook again.

“I am very grateful for the experience, other than that, there is nothing I regret, I just wish I put my best foot forward,” she said.

Along with the friends she made along the way, she said a major highlight was cooking for Peter Gilmore.

She felt self-doubt throughout the competition, and explained that the judges and the other contestants helped her through that and self-belief.

“I just have to say that they really reinforced that resilience in me,” she said about Andy and Poh in particular, because of their experiences as contestants.

Now, she has her sights on training in pastry in France, which will help her fulfil her dreams of opening a dessert bar in Perth.

Her creations will use French techniques and focus on flavours across the globe.

With her macaron business on pause at the moment, she told New Idea that they would definitely be on her future menu.

“I love that desserts challenge me a bit,” she said, adding that it gave her free reign and the chance to be creative.

Rhiannon was determined to have fun when she returned to MasterChef for a second time and took everything in.

However, she was sent home in an emotional elimination.

She exclusively told New Idea that she should have stuck to her original surf and turf-inspired dish, but was “rattled” when Andy Allen and Josh Niland visited her bench 20 minutes before the challenge ended.

Despite her journey being cut short, she had no regrets. Recovering from surgery while the show was filmed, she said she was proud of herself for pushing through it.

During her time on the show, she also said one of her favourite dishes she prepared was her gozleme, because she was taught by Turkish aunties. It was extra special because she learned those techniques in a workshop, which was set up by former judge Jock Zonfrillo.

Rhiannon told New Idea that she initially made the dish in her first stint on the show, and he suggested that she perfect the pastry.

Reflecting on her first and second time on the show, she said he had a profound impact on her.

“I feel like Jock was the one that I learned the most from and I always think about what he taught me whenever I cook now, like all the time,” she explained.

“And I guess it would have been nice for him to see exactly what I’ve done in the last couple of years, and that a lot of it is attributed to him and his guidance and mentorship.”

Another highlight for the Townsville local was her friendships with other contestants, particularly Declan, with whom she speaks weekly.

“He’s just become a really, really good friend, and I think we’ve both had some hard times and just been there for each other,” the water-skiing champion said.

Following her time on the show, she is gearing up to travel around Australia with her husband and daughter for her upcoming YouTube Channel Rhiplenish on the Road.

Passionate about showcasing local farmers and producers, she said it would be a mix of “all things, lifestyle, cooking, water skiing”, as well as highlighting the beauty of Australia.

She also has some cooking demonstrations planned.

Jimmy has always brought flair and finesse to all of his creations in the MasterChef kitchen.

When he returned to the show, he was determined to deliver his best and impress the judges.

Unfortunately, he was sent home in a technical pressure test set by pastry chef Steven He.

Although he was devastated that his journey came to an end, Jimmy was grateful for the opportunity to come back.

“I’m guttered, but you know what, what an absolute privilege it has been to be a part of this amazing experience,” he told everyone on the show.

Being on MasterChef once again ignited his passion and gave him a “renewed vigour” for cooking and food photography, he said. It also inspired him not to give up on his food dreams.

“I may not have won, but I am so glad that I came back. This experience is irreplaceable,” he said. 

When Matt received the call with an offer to return to the MasterChef Australia kitchen, he said it was “out of the blue” and something he never considered—but he couldn’t say no.

Reflecting on his journey on the show, he told New Idea that it was a “once in a lifetime experience” the first time around, and very much so the second time.

“It was pretty easy to say yes,” he said. “The kitchen is such a magical place where you get to experiment and to be creative, you get to put yourself out there, you have amazing ingredients, you’ve got these judges who are guiding and pushing, and some of these fantastic judges from all over the world, you can’t say no.”

His journey was however cut short in an elimination.

Looking back on it all, he said he could have put his Bombe Alaska meringue in the oven earlier, but he had no regrets.

“It’s one part guttered and 10 parts excited and proud,” he said, adding that it was important to push himself.

Along with cooking alongside Gordon Ramsay, another key highlight for the associate professor and dental public health expert was cooking with and learning from other contestants.

“To take a risk is always a really good life lesson to put yourself out there, you never know where the opportunity will land,” he said.

Looking forward to taking a breather after his whirlwind experience, Matt told New Idea that he was passionate about bringing health and food together and was teaching after the show.

Going into the MasterChef kitchen for a second time was exciting for Steph because she felt more established and “much more in control”.

The chef, who is known as the “Frugal Foodie” on social media, was ready to embrace the experience and was thrilled to connect with former contestants she watched before going on the show.

“The biggest highlight was meeting all of the old contestants,” she exclusively told New Idea the morning after her on-screen elimination.

While she created a series of delicious dishes with her signature flair through the course of the competition, she was ultimately sent home after the flavours in her crispy pork belly dish were too powerful for the judges.

Although her journey was cut short, she told New Idea she had no regrets.

“I wouldn’t do a single thing differently… I cooked six cracker dishes. I was so happy with them, I got fantastic feedback from the judges on every dish except the last one, I had a really good time, learned some things along the way from other contestants, and I really enjoyed myself,” she said.

Another key highlight was honouring her sister Therese, who she lost to motor neurone disease in 2022, during the competition. Steph explained that her sister was there with her when she auditioned for MasterChef and was “such a big supporter of mine all the way through”.

During the show, she said her online cooking journey was extra special because she shared months of it with her sister before she passed.

“I dedicated my first book to her, and I feel like she’s looking out for me all the time,” she said.

So what’s next after leaving the show?

She’s got brand partnerships lined up, has been busy with her latest book Easy Dinner Queen and is launching a meal-plan subscription service for her followers in July that will focus on weekly budget and supermarket-friendly meal plans.

Returning to the MasterChef kitchen, Savindri was determined to honour her Sri Lankan culture and heritage and to not give up.

When she came back, she wowed the judges with her vibrant and delicious dishes, particularly her midnight snack “Slosh n Smash”.

Unfortunately, she was sent home in a pressure test, which was set by dessert legend Kirsten Tibballs

Reflecting on her journey on Instagram after the elimination, Savindri said she was proud.

“It was an honour to have a chance to attempt this incredible recipe,” she said about her chocolate and caviar dish.

The private chef said before returning, she was afraid to own her successes, but regained her confidence in the kitchen.

“I walk away as a version of Sav that’s shown up authentically and unapologetically, that has honoured her mother & her culture again & again, a version of Sav that has made new friends and isn’t so burdened by grief,” she wrote in the post.

When Cath returned to the MasterChef kitchen, she was determined to challenge herself.

Cooking with joy is always at the forefront of her mind when she’s creating food, but unfortunately, her time was cut short in the kitchen.

She was the first contestant to be formally eliminated on May 4, after she served her Japanese mushroom dish, which contained some mushrooms that were more burned than her desire for them to be charred.

Speaking exclusively to New Idea after her departure, she said it was a “simple” mistake.

“I’d probably trust my instincts a bit sooner, I sort of second-guessed myself with some of the elements that I did put on my final dish, and I think that cost me in that moment,” she said.

Although she returned for a short time, Cath said she gained so much. Cooking along with Gordon Ramsay was a highlight.

“That was… I don’t even know how you could surpass that… just that cook-along challenge was so much fun, and he was an absolute delight. He really is a softie deep down, he was really caring,” she explained.

As for what’s next?

She plans to continue her home cooking classes under Cath’s Kitchen, which she established after her first time on MasterChef, hopes to release some cookbooks and keep doing work with charities. After becoming close to the other contestants, Cath plans to collaborate with them in the future.

“I just felt really proud and humbled that I was asked back,” she said.

Pete was determined to return to the competition to show the judges and Australia what he was made of after he came second to Justin Narayan in 2021.

However, he withdrew from the competition early after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

According to the Cancer Council, it is a rare cancer that impacts the lymphatic system.

Speaking exclusively to our sister publication Woman’s Day, the father of two said he was initially checked for swollen lymph nodes, which were cleared as a non-issue more than a year later.

“Eventually, a haematologist suggested removing a lymph node for thorough analysis, and this was when the Hodgkin’s lymphoma was discovered,” he explained.

He announced his cancer diagnosis on Instagram in January with the caption: “New look for my cancer/chemo era… Hodgkin’s lymphoma, you dog.”

The former tattoo artist told Woman’s Day he had “no other symptoms” and it was a “complete shock”. He admitted that he had asked if it was possible to start treatment after the competition.

“She told me I’d possibly die, and that’s when the severity of the situation really hit me and replaced the disappointment. From there, I just wanted to start treatment as soon as possible and get better for my family,” he said, and revealed he started chemotherapy after he left.

Judge Andy Allen announced Pete’s departure during the April 30 episode and said it was for “personal reasons”.

Following up on his departure on Instagram, he wrote: “Didn’t even get to cook for the judges! But you know what they say… ‘if you have cancer, you should go get chemo’. A massive thank you to everyone messaging and checking in, you’re all so nice X.”