The latest season of MasterChef Australia is now well underway, meaning it won’t be too long until another winner is crowned.
But ahead of the judges deciding which 2024 contestant should become a ‘MasterChef’, here’s everything you need to know about past MasterChef Australia winners.
Who is the most successful MasterChef Australia contestant?
Many MasterChef Australia contestants have found great success.
Julie Goodwin, Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Adam Liaw, Justine Schofield, Billie McKay, Reynold Poernomo and Callum Hann are the most notable MasterChef alums.
Has anyone from MasterChef won a Michelin star?
So far, no one who has competed on MasterChef Australia has won a Michelin star.
What are the MasterChef Australia winners doing now?
Julie Goodwin, Season 1
Following her MasterChef win in 2009, Julie Goodwin went on to release several cookbooks, hosted her own cooking show, Home Cooked, and wrote for us here at The Weekly.
More recently, Julie released a memoir in April 2024 and will compete on this year’s Dancing With The Stars.
Adam Liaw, Season 2
Since winning the second season of MasterChef Australia, Adam Liaw has released several cook books, hosted his own cooking show, Destination Flavour, released a podcast, How Taste Changed the World, and joined the panel show Tomorrow Tonight.
Today, Adam hosts The Cook Up with Adam Liaw and also writes a regular column for Good Food Australia and Sunday Life Australia.
Kate Bracks, Season 3
A year after winning, Kate Bracks released a cookbook called The Sweet Life: Desserts from Australia’s MasterChef in 2012. However, since then she has returned to teaching in Orange, New South Wales.
Andy Allen, Season 4
In the 12 years since winning MasterChef, Andy Allen has had a very successful career.
For starters, he wrote a cookbook, The Next Element, in 2012. He also became the co-owner of Three Blue Ducks, a restaurant that has five locations around Australia.
Then in 2019, Andy – along with Melissa Leong and the late Jock Zonfrillo – replaced MasterChef judges George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston. Andy still judges the show in 2024, but now with Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli.
Furthermore, in 2021, Andy co-hosted the cooking show, also called Three Blue Ducks.
Emma Dean, Season 5
From 2013 to 2019, Emma Dean co-hosted a daily cooking show called My Market Kitchen. Now, Emma is a regular contributor to Eat Well Magazine.
Brent Owens, Season 6
After becoming the sixth winner of MasterChef, Brent Owens released a cookbook, Dig In!. However, since then, Brent went on to pursue a career in biotechnology. He is currently the Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of Vitrafy, a biotech company that is “leading the way in innovative new patient orientated outcomes”.
Billie McKay, Season 7 (and Season 14)
Following her win, guest judge Heston Blumenthal offered Billie McKay a job at his Michelin-starred restaurant The Fat Duck. Billie happily accepted.
Then in 2022, Billie returned for MasterChef Australia’s ‘Fans vs Favourites’ season and won the MasterChef title for a second time.
Elena Duggan, Season 8
Despite winning MasterChef, Elena Duggan decided to continue with special education teaching.
She does still enjoy cooking though, and regularly shows off her culinary skills on Instagram.
Diana Chan, Season 9
Diana Chan used her MasterChef prize money to open up a pop-up restaurant in Melbourne.
Then, in 2018, Diana hosted the series Asia Unplated with Diana Chan and in 2022, hosted the podcast Turning Point.
Today, Diana owns Golden Wok – a pre-made dumplings and dim sims brand – and is one of the chefs on Ready, Steady, Cook.
Sashi Cheliah, Season 10
After winning MasterChef, Sashi Cheliah opened a series of pop-up restaurants called GAJA by Sashi. Ultimately though, he opened a full-time restaurant in Adelaide, also called GAJA by Sashi.
In 2022, Sashi also opened a fine dining restaurant in India called The Pandan Club.
Larissa Takchi, Season 11
Larissa Takchi was only 22-years-old when she won MasterChef Australia – the youngest in the show’s history.
Following her win, she continued to work at her family’s cafe Wildpear in Sydney. And today, Larissa shows off her cooking skills on Instagram and TikTok.
Emelia Jackson, Season 12
Emila Jackson went on to release the cookbook, First, Cream the Butter and Sugar, and work at Good Food Australia as a columnist after winning MasterChef (the all-stars ‘Back to Win’ season) in 2020.
Justin Narayan, Season 13
Since winning, Justin Narayan has grown his presence online and shares his recipes on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Justin also occasionally does pop-up events at various restaurants; for instance, in April 2024, he held ‘Juzzy’s Taco pop-up’ at Stitch Bar in Sydney.
Brent Draper, Season 15
Last year’s MasterChef winner, Brent Draper is currently planning to release a cookbook and co-hosts the podcast, Behind the Drapes, with his wife.
Nat Thaipun, Season 16
In an epic finale, Nat Thaipun was crowned the winner of MasterChef Australia 2024, taking home the $250,000 cash prize and winning a residency at ALUMNI restaurant. Nat’s journey was marked by impressive victories, including winning the first and last immunity challenges of the season.
Throughout the competition, Nat showcased her unique culinary perspective, blending Thai heritage and country Victoria upbringing. Her risk-taking paid off, earning her opportunities to work with Jamie Oliver and Clare Smyth, and a position at Hugh Allen’s Vue de Monde. Nat’s victory marks the beginning of an exciting culinary career.
Watch MasterChef Australia on Channel Ten and 10play.
