MasterChef AU: Back to Win 2025 Exit List

MasterChef Australia: Back to Win – A Look at the Eliminated Contestants

The latest season of MasterChef Australia: Back to Win has seen the return of familiar faces, all vying for another shot at culinary glory. With judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli setting the bar high, the competition has been fierce. Let’s take a look at the contestants who have had their journey cut short so far:

Sarah Todd (Season 6 & Season 14)

Sarah, a seasoned chef and three-time MasterChef contestant, faced Jamie in a challenge for a spot in the Top 5. Tasked with creating a Pork Assiette, her three pork preparations unfortunately didn’t resonate with the judges, resulting in her elimination. Despite the setback, Sarah expressed her excitement about showcasing new ideas and cooking from the heart. Reflecting on her experience, she acknowledged the added pressure of returning as a chef with over a decade of experience. Sarah also revealed that she found love on the show with fellow chef Declan, which she considers a significant win. Now, she plans to shift her focus from her restaurants in India to sharing her culinary creations with her Australian family.

Snezana Calic (Season 16)

Snezana returned to Back to Win with the aim of impressing the judges with her honest and flavourful food. Stepping back into the MasterChef kitchen was intimidating, especially considering the accomplishments of her fellow contestants. In the elimination challenge, her plans were disrupted when her aioli split multiple times, leaving her frazzled and ultimately leading to her elimination alongside Sarah and Ben. Despite her early exit, Snezana is proud of her growth during the season, gaining confidence and embracing her unique cooking style. Looking ahead, she is working on a cookbook and dreams of hosting a television show exploring Mediterranean cuisine.

Alana Lowes (Season 3)

After a 14-year hiatus, Alana’s return to the MasterChef kitchen was a daunting but welcome challenge. Despite initial nerves, she relied on her years of recipe development experience. In a cook-off against Snezana, Laura, and Sarah, Alana created horseradish ice cream and a fennel seed pavlova. While the judges were impressed, the competing fennel seed flavour led to her elimination. Alana’s proudest moment was creating a ginger and lemon biscuit tart for a challenge set by Maggie Beer, which received high praise from judge Andy. Alana plans to return to professional kitchens through pop-ups and collaborations and is launching a range of ready meals.

Audra Morrice (Season 4)

Audra’s attempt to transport the judges to another country through her cooking unfortunately fell short. Her Spanish paella failed to impress, leading to her elimination. Reflecting on her return, Audra noted how hectic the MasterChef kitchen can be. Since her third-place finish in Season 4, Audra has built a successful culinary career, including cookbooks, a catering business, and her own cooking show. She has also served as a guest judge on MasterChef Singapore, drawing on her own experiences as a contestant to support and encourage others. Audra is currently working on a new season of her show Audra’s Eat, Roam, Relish.

Andre Ursini (Season 1)

As an original contestant from the first season, Andre returned to MasterChef to reconnect with his passion for cooking. While he impressed the judges, a pressure test set by Philip Khoury ended his second MasterChef journey. Since his first season, Andre has established three award-winning restaurants in Adelaide. He plans to return to his businesses and incorporate some of his favourite MasterChef dishes into the menu. Andre’s proudest dish was the buttermilk ricotta gnocchi he created for the Cooking for Nonna challenge, which he used to push the boundaries of contemporary Italian cuisine.

Declan Cleary (Season 15)

Declan, a fan favourite from Season 15, was eliminated after a Decreasing Time Versus Increasing Ingredients challenge set by Maggie Beer. His offal, beef tongue, and chicken liver skewers with vino cotto glaze and roasted and pickled cabbage slaw were deemed incomplete by the judges. Despite his elimination, Declan expressed his gratitude for the experience. He also received support from his girlfriend and fellow MasterChef contestant, Sarah Todd.

Theo Loizou (Season 15)

Theo’s cook-along elimination with Curtis Stone proved to be his downfall. Struggling to keep pace while preparing slow-cooked lamb shanks with ricotta raviolo, he was ultimately eliminated. Theo returned to MasterChef to realize his dream of opening his own bakery in Melbourne. He is proud of mastering dolomades, a family staple, during his time on the show. Theo is currently working on opening his bakery, which will specialize in sourdough breads and French and Greek-style pastries.

Beau Cook (Season 4)

After a decade as a firefighter, Beau returned to the MasterChef kitchen. While he impressed the judges with his culinary tribute to the Anzacs, a reimagined spider dish failed to save him from elimination. Beau is back fighting fires and launching an all-natural hard lemon alcoholic drink. He also expressed interest in collaborating with Declan Cleary in the future.

Samira El Khafir (Season 5)

Samira admitted to feeling a sense of relief when she was eliminated from MasterChef, as it coincided with her husband’s birthday. She was initially nervous about returning to the kitchen after a 12-year absence. Samira’s proudest dish was Makloubeh, which gained significant attention online, along with a dish called “Diversity on a Plate.” She plans to continue promoting diversity and multicultural inclusion on her social media channels and hopes to travel and explore food culture and history.

Darrsh Clarke (Season 16)

Darrsh’s journey ended during Viral Week when his blue cheese dipping sauce lacked the desired cheese pull. His pistachio praline stuffed choux bun also fell short. Darrsh and his housemate Dave, another MasterChef alum, are launching a cookie business called Crumb Club.

Tim Bone (Season 11)

Tim, known for his toasties, was eliminated after attempting to cook a confit duck Maryland in just 75 minutes. He expressed pride in his achievements during his second season and plans to continue building his toastie empire in Ballarat. Tim also dreams of opening his own cooking class for adults and kids.

Rue Mupedzi (Season 15)

Rue’s dessert expertise couldn’t save her from elimination during a pressure test. Her strawberry gum emulsion split, rendering her dish unsuccessful. She plans to gain more experience in pastry making in Europe before returning to establish her own dessert bar or patisserie in Perth.

Rhiannon Anderson (Season 15)

Rhiannon’s last-minute decision to add minced lobster to her dumpling dough proved to be her undoing. The lobster caused some of the wontons to split, leading to her elimination. Despite this, she is proud of pushing through her health issues during the competition. Rhiannon and her husband Dean plan to travel Australia and showcase the country’s farmers on her YouTube channel.

Jimmy Wong (Season 8)

Jimmy’s chocolate shell mishap during a sculptural Balloon Puppy cake challenge led to his elimination. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return to the MasterChef kitchen and found support from fellow contestants. Jimmy plans to continue uncovering the stories behind food and the people who create it.

Matt Hopcraft (Season 7)

Matt’s Bombe Alaska, created to honor the Anzacs, was ultimately unsuccessful due to a “slightly gritty” meringue. He is proud of returning to the MasterChef kitchen and plans to explore the link between healthy eating and health.

Steph de Sousa (Season 11)

Steph, a fan favourite, was eliminated during the ‘One Inch Cube Taste Test’ when her instincts for fermented foods led her astray. Her pork belly dish was overpowered by fermented shrimp paste.

Sav Perera (Season 16)

Sav felt the heat during a pressure test featuring a Kirsten Tibballs dessert. She expressed pride in showing up authentically and honouring her mother and culture.

Cath Collins (Season 15)

Cath bid farewell to the MasterChef kitchen after burning mushrooms, a key component of her Japanese dish.

Pete Campbell (Season 13)

Pete withdrew from the competition to undergo chemotherapy after receiving a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis.