Everything You Need To Remember About The ‘MasterChef’ OGs Returning This Season
MasterChef Australia: Back To Win sizzled up our TV screens last night, along with 24 familiar faces returning for a chance to take it all the way this time.
Among the contestants, there are freshies from the last few seasons that we all know like family, but the all-stars season has also brought back chefs from the very early years, back when some of us may not have even watched the series. (Blasphemy!)
If you spent last night’s episode squinting your eyelids, staring intently and shouting at the screen ‘WHO ARE YOU, AGAIN? ARE YOU THAT DUDE WHO MAKES MEXICAN FOOD?’ then below is a handy refresher.
Here’s a reminder of who some of the contestants from the first five seasons are and what made their time on MasterChef so memorable.
Poh Ling Yeow
Season 1, Placed 2nd
Poh obviously doesn’t need any introduction. As a household name for the last decade, Poh has released three books, hosted a whole range of cooking shows and specials, and has taken her place as Australia’s quirky aunt. Back in the early days of MasterChef, she was known for her creative flair and utilising traditional Asian ingredients like the century egg.
Throughout MasterChef, Poh had so many standout dishes but I’ll never forget the utter chaos of watching her assemble Adriano Zumbo’s croquembouche. Like most of Poh’s creations, the process to get there was a hot mess, but the finished dish was actual art.
Chris Badenoch
Season 1, Placed 3rd
Upon seeing Chris on the episode last night, my first memory of him was that he really liked to eat every part of an animal and had an intense penchant for making sausages for almost every challenge. Please, Chris! Not another sausage! Chris controversially beat celebrity chef Justine Schofield in his season so shouldn’t be underestimated. Among Chris’ most memorable moments on MasterChef was serving a whole pig’s head to a trio of delighted judges and his beeramisu creation aka beer-flavoured tiramisu.
Dani Venn
Season 3, Placed 4th
Following her stint on MasterChef, Dani hosted her own television show Weekend Feast and co-hosted breakfast radio on Nova FM in Melbourne. During her time on the series, the reigning immunity pin queen’s most badass moment was defeating Celebrity MasterChef winner Eamon Sullivan recreating his own dessert: a Chocolate Delice.
Ben Milbourne
Season 4, Placed 5th
Another standout contestant, Ben is a beloved TV personality and host of Ben’s Menu which aired on Network 10 for three seasons. During his time competing on MasterChef, Ben was most remembered for his passion for authentic Mexican food and for his blossoming bromance with Andy Allen, the two even hosted a cooking show together called Andy and Ben Eat Australia on SBS. Bandy forever.
Amina Elshafei
Season Four, Placed 11th
Amina became one of the most beloved contestants in the history of the show for her infectious personality — and bloody great cooking. Inspired by her parents Korean and Egyptian heritage, Amina served up exciting dishes unlike anything the MasterChef kitchen had seen before. One of her most memorable dishes that won her an immunity challenge was a spectacular tea-smoked duck breast.
Callum Hann
Season 2, Placed 2nd
Competing in the second season when he was only 20 years old, Callum became a fan favourite for his intricate desserts and refined cooking. Weirdly enough, Callum actually already won the first MasterChef Australia: All-Stars season back in 2012 (Chris came runner-up) but I guess the guy is just thirsty asf for another shiny plate. My personal fave dish Callum created was his gorgeous violet macaroons.
Courtney Roulston
Season 2, Placed 5th
Another MasterChef success story, Courtney has been a fixture on the Aussie culinary scene for almost a decade, hosting Network 10 series Farm to Fork. One of her most beloved dishes she served the judges during her time on the reality competition was her Chilli Mud Crab with XO Sauce.
Lynton Tapp
Season 5, Placed 2nd
With two TV shows, and a cookbook in his back pocket, Lynton is an experienced chef who specialises in native Australian food. After almost winning the season five grand finale, he’s back for a chance to reclaim his former glory. Lynton does simple food perfectly executed, which was exemplified by the Beef Eye Fillet he cooked on MasterChef that not only won him Dish of The Day but received a perfect score from all three judges.
Hayden Quinn
Season 3, Placed 6th
Hayden has hosted countless TV shows since he made his big debut on season three of MasterChef in 2012, back when he was a lifeguard, surfer and marine biology graduate. He has since become one of Australia’s most well-known celebrity chefs for cooking the same kind of food that he became famous for during the series: simple meals to share with friends and family. Hayden’s most memorable dish, Braised Pork Belly, blew celebrity chef David Chang away. Yummm!
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MasterChef returns tonight at 7:30pm on Network 10.