After finishing runner-up in MasterChef Australia Season 15, Rhiannon Anderson returned for another crack at the coveted trophy — but this time, with less pressure and more purpose.
The proud grandmother, cancer fundraiser, and self-taught cook has lived many lives — from finance manager to national TV star — and she’s showing no signs of slowing down.
In this candid chat, Rhiannon reflects on cooking in honour of her late mum, pushing through physical setbacks, and chasing her dream of life on the road with her YouTube channel Rhiplenish.
Her message? It’s never too late to start something new — especially when it comes from the heart.
You came back to the MasterChef kitchen after placing runner-up in Season 15 — what made you say yes to the challenge all over again?
I really wanted to have fun this time and not be as stressed. Being such a big MasterChef Australia fan, I really wanted to be able to cook against some of the big guns of the show and cook for the new judges.
You’ve been so open about how your late mum inspired your cooking journey. How did you carry her spirit with you in the kitchen this time around?
At first, I struggled in my first season to bring Mum into the kitchen, but then Maggie Beer came in [as a guest chef] and I could feel my Mum with me. I managed to carry the comfort of having Mum watching over me into this season [Season 17].
You’re a proud grandmother and family woman — how did your kids and grandkids react when you told them you were heading back into the pressure cooker?
My family were super supportive. They could see the incredible impact and transformation MasterChef had on my life and were happy for me to continue living my dream. Some of them couldn’t understand how I could possibly want to put myself back in that pressure cooker environment, but they also know I love a challenge.
You went from finance to family business to national TV. That’s quite a career shift — what gave you the push to finally put food front and centre?
The day after my Mum retired from her finance job, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Mum made me realise you need to follow your dreams and work in an industry and profession that you love. We spend so much of our time at work, and I was brought up in the time when you worked to pay the bills. I’ve now realised you really need to love what you do.
In Season 17, you brought the same fearless, bold flavours that fans loved the first time. What did you do differently this time, and what stayed the same?
This season, I wanted to bring my bold flavours, but I also wanted to show how much I’d grown in the past two years, particularly with technique. The amount I learnt from Jock [Zonfrilllo, a judge on MasterChef Australia in Rhiannon’s first season] was life changing. I also wanted to show Andy, as the only judge from my initial season, that I’d taken everything I’d learnt on board and continue to apply it in my cooking today.
You’ve shared your experience with major surgery and recovery so candidly. How did that impact the way you approached this season — physically, mentally or emotionally?
I actually really struggled with making the decision to come back as I was still very sore and swollen from my surgery in July 2024. I always like to push myself, but it was tough pushing through with the soreness every day. It’s been 11 months post-surgery, and I’m still sore and swollen. I knew mentally and emotionally I could do it, but the physical side of it was my worry.
You’ve raised over $55,000 for ovarian cancer research in your mum’s honour — what does it mean to use your platform for something so personal?
We started fundraising when my Mum was alive, and over three luncheons, we raised almost $112,000. When the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) approached me to be a national ambassador, I said to my husband that this is the most rewarding and meaningful opportunity I’ve gotten [off the back of my appearance on] MasterChef. To be able to honour my Mum and raise awareness to hopefully save lives is extremely fulfilling. You never want to see your loved ones go through what we had to. I’m extremely lucky to have my little sister and our committee help with all our fundraising.
You’ve talked about wanting to write a cookbook full of dinner party menus. Where are you at with that dream, and what would the first recipe be?
I have been accumulating recipes from so many cuisines and feel very close to completing this cookbook. My first recipe would 100 per cent be wontons with a curry sauce. It’s my absolute favourite thing to cook, and I always joke I could eat 1,000 wontons every time.
What would you say to women in their 40s, 50s and beyond who are wondering if it’s too late to chase something new?
I really couldn’t recommend it highly enough. My husband and I always say, ‘Don’t say you’re going to do something if you’re not going to follow through.’ I said for years I was going to apply for MasterChef Australia, but it was never the right time with raising kids and looking after my sick Mum. When Mum gave me that final push to apply, I went for it. You seriously just have to go chase your dreams.
I think if I’m not going to succeed, at least I had a crack.
If you could give yourself one piece of advice before walking into the MasterChef kitchen the very first time, what would it be?
Just breathe, relax and back yourself.
What’s your go-to dish when cooking for the people you love most?
I love to cook something low and slow that can develop flavours, like a lamb shank ragu with fresh pappardelle and gremolata. I always do a panna cotta for dessert to finish.
And finally, what’s next for Rhiannon?
My YouTube channel “Rhiplenish on the road” is next. We launch the channel at the end of June before embarking on a national road trip in our caravan full-time in December. Our first stop is Tasmania, and we’ll be showcasing everything local along the way. From vibrant markets to visiting farmers, waterskiing and of course, indulging in and cooking the finest culinary delights, we’re up for any adventure. My 24-year-old daughter is also travelling with us in her campervan to learn to cook and enjoy life on the road. Travelling Australia has been a dream of mine, and now it’s time, as my husband would say, to make it happen.
If you’ve missed any episode in this season of MasterChef: Back to Win, you can catch up with our recap here. Discover all the contestants who have left the season thus far here.
MasterChef Australia airs 7.30pm on Mondays to Wednesdays and 7pm on Sundays on Channel 10 and is available on demand on 10play.
