It’s been a huge season of secrets and surprises on MasterChef so far this year, as 18 of Australia’s best home cooks have battled it out against each other in the iconic kitchen to take home the coveted top title, and $250k prize money that comes with it.
Series judges Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo, and Andy Allen have been busy taste-testing each and every dish as they have been plated up to determine this season’s winner.
But as things continue to heat up with the challenges more advanced than ever, the question of who will take home the MasterChef crown remains on everyone’s lips – including those of eliminated MasterChef contestants!
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Speaking exclusively with New Idea, numerous eliminees opened up about who they think has what it takes to rise to the top and take home the coveted title.
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Fan favourite Robbie Cooper also spoke candidly to us about the close connection he had formed with fellow contestant Declan prior to his on-screen elimination, who he believed would go far in the competition.
“We have a special bond,” Robbie told New Idea.

As the competition reached boiling point and our top ten were announced, Venezuelan-born Antonio revealed that whilst all of his fellow competitors were “amazing” there were two he believed would make it to the very end.
“They are all amazing, so I know that any one of them can actually make it. [But] I would love to see Declan or Rhiannon [in the final two].”
Speaking to our sister publication WHO, Malissa revealed that whilst it was “tough” to know for sure, she was rooting for Declan and Rhiannon to take home the title.
“One thing I learned while being on MasterChef was that you can be the best cook but it really depends on the challenge of the day.”
“Anyone can make any kind of mistake so it’s really hard to pick a winner because everyone is so great,” she continued.
“You know, I’ve got my two besties in the competition: Declan and Rhi so I’m hoping that they will be up there, but yeah, it’s a tough one to pick for sure.”

Also backing Rhi and Declan is Cath!
“I’ve got Rhi who is my best buddy and I’ve got Declan who’s my adopted son who we fight over. He is just such a delight,” Cath told our sister publication TV Week.
“Brent’s there and he’s backed to win, and Theo wants to change his life. I would just love one of those guys [to win].

As the competition reached boiling point in finale week, Melbourne-based baker Theo Loizou told New Idea that whilst it was “tough” to pick out a top contender from the remaining contestants (also his friends), there were two clear front runners.
“They are all amazing cooks and are all my friends so I don’t want to offend anyone. [But] over the whole journey of this MasterChef experience I think either Declan or Brent [will win].”
“Declan has grown so much over the course of this competition, I think he deserves to win but I think Brent is slightly the better cook.”
“But who knows, on the day it could be anyone!”

Unfortunately for Declan, he just missed out on a spot in the final two.
He will however continue to root for firm friends Rhiannon and Brent in the grand finale.
“Brent has been playing to his strong points and having the past experience…he 100% has what it takes to take out the MasterChef title.”
“But we’ve seen the way Rhiannon balances her flavours and strings together some amazing dishes, I think its anyone’s court at the moment, they are both phenomenal.”