MasterChef Australia 2025: Who’s Out?

MasterChef Australia 2025: Back to Win – Who’s Left the Kitchen?

The 2025 season of MasterChef Australia: Back to Win has seen the return of many familiar faces, all vying for another shot at culinary glory. But as the competition heats up, some contestants have had to hang up their aprons. Here’s a rundown of who has left the MasterChef kitchen so far:

Sarah Todd, 38

• Previous Seasons: Season 6 (9th place), Season 14 (2nd place)

Sarah, a MasterChef veteran and early favourite, was eliminated after a challenge set by Julie Goodwin. Despite the setback, Sarah has enjoyed considerable success this season and beyond. Since her first appearance, she has built a thriving culinary career, including opening restaurants in India and Australia, writing cookbooks, and hosting cooking shows. She found romance on set with fellow contestant Declan Cleary, and the two have since moved in together.

Snezana Calic, 42

• Previous Season: Season 16 (15th place)

Snezana returned to MasterChef seeking redemption after her first season ended prematurely. The Croatian-born chef aimed to showcase her Balkan heritage and culinary skills. While she embraced pressure tests, a final challenge involving a split aioli led to her departure. Snezana left the competition feeling accomplished and grateful for the opportunity to share her culture and grow as a cook.

Alana Lowes, 44

• Previous Season: Season 3 (3rd place)

Fourteen years after her initial run, Alana Lowes bid farewell to the MasterChef kitchen once more. This time, a dual elimination challenge in Doha brought her journey to an end. Alana, now a seasoned presenter, food stylist, and recipe developer, brought her signature creativity and flavour combinations to the competition. She was eliminated after facing off against Sarah Todd and Laura Sharrad in a dessert-focused challenge. While her dishes displayed technical skill, competing flavours ultimately led to her exit.

Audra Morrice, 54

• Previous Season: Season 4 (3rd place)

Audra Morrice, a respected figure in the food world, returned to MasterChef after judging MasterChef Asia and MasterChef Singapore. Her journey on Back to Win concluded after her Spanish-inspired paella fell short. Since her initial season, Audra has become a celebrated chef, author, and television personality, advocating for the preservation of cultural cuisine.

Andre Ursini, 41

• Previous Season: Season 1 (7th place)

Sixteen years after his first MasterChef experience, Andre Ursini departed after a challenging pressure test involving a plant-based dessert. Andre, an Adelaide restaurateur, aimed to reconnect with his creative spark and enjoy the journey. Despite disliking structured pressure tests, he impressed with his bold flavours and energy.

Declan Cleary, 27

• Previous Season: Season 15 (3rd place)

Fan favourite Declan Cleary’s run ended just before the top ten after a challenge set by Maggie Beer. His dish was deemed “incomplete” due to a missing sauce. Declan, who captured hearts in Season 15, returned with a focus on making food his full-time career.

Theo Loizou, 39

• Previous Season: Season 15 (4th place)

Theo Loizou was eliminated after a chaotic cook-along challenge with Curtis Stone. Despite facing challenges with ricotta and a sense of déjà vu, he plated up his dish and left the competition with pride. Theo aims to build his dream bakery on his family farm.

Beau Cook, 40

• Previous Season: Season 4 (8th place)

Beau Cook, a firefighter, became a fan favourite for his calm demeanour and heartfelt cooking. His reimagined take on a classic childhood spider dessert didn’t impress the judges, leading to his elimination. Beau plans to support local producers and launch an all-natural hard lemon drink.

Samira El Khafir, 39

• Previous Season: Season 5 (3rd place)

Samira El Khafir returned to show how far she’d come since placing third in season five. Her journey ended after a taste test and a subsequent challenge to create a flavour-packed dish using ingredients from a laksa. Her Egyptian-inspired dish, while commended for its flavours, was ultimately unsuccessful due to the texture of the chicken.

Darrsh Clarke, 33

• Previous Season: Season 16 (6th place)

Darrsh returned to MasterChef for back-to-back seasons. He was eliminated after a cheese-pull challenge and a second round involving choux pastry. Despite his past success with choux pastry, his dish failed to impress the judges. Darrsh plans to open a cookie business in Melbourne.

Tim Bone, 39

• Previous Season: Season 11 (4th place)

Tim Bone, known for his toasties, ended his Back to Win journey after finishing fourth in his previous season. He aimed for a podium finish but fell short.

Rue Mupedzi, 31

• Previous Season: Season 15 (7th place)

Rue Mupedzi, returned to MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, determined to overcome self-doubt. She was eliminated after a pressure test challenge. Rue plans to open a champagne and dessert bar and study pastry in Paris.

Rhiannon Anderson, 46

• Previous Season: Season 15 (2nd place)

Rhiannon, who placed second in season 15, was eliminated after a “Surf and Turf” challenge. Her Asian beef broth with lobster wontons didn’t meet the judges’ expectations.

Jimmy Wong, 58

• Previous Season: Season 8 (19th place)

Jimmy found himself in his first pressure test of the season, nine years after his last one. His balloon puppy cake challenge did not stack up against his competition. He is now a food photographer and content creator.

Matt Hopcraft, 53

• Previous Season: Season 7 (6th place)

Matt was the fifth person to leave MasterChef Australia: Back to Win. He failed to bring the required “tableside theatrics” in the elimination round.

Steph de Sousa, 52

• Previous Season: Season 11 (12th place)

Steph’s second time in the MasterChef kitchen ended after her team lost the “One Inch Cube Taste Test.” Her pork belly dish didn’t impress the judges.

Sav Perera, 31

• Previous Season: Season 16 (3rd place)

Sav fell victim to a pressure test set by Kirsten Tibballs, ending her Back to Win run.

Cath Collins, 54

• Previous Season: Season 15 (5th place)

Cath burned a crucial element of her dish in the first elimination episode, resulting in her departure.

Pete Campbell, 40

• Previous Season: Season 13 (2nd place)

Pete left the competition for personal reasons related to his cancer treatment. He is now cancer-free and hopes to return to the MasterChef kitchen in the future.