MasterChef: Back to Win has welcomed back 24 past contestants who are competing for the ultimate redemption and a cash prize of $250,000.
While the epic lineup includes many familiar faces, like Poh Ling Yeow, Hayden Quinn, Callum Hann and Dani Venn, some viewers may need a quick refresh on who the TV stars were and have become since their first TV stint.
From 14 cookbooks, 13 TV shows, 26 businesses and one arrest: Daily Mail Australia can reveal exactly what the famous alumni have been up to in recent years.
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14 cookbooks, 13 TV shows, 26 businesses and ONE AREST: What the MasterChef Australia’s all-star cast has been up to since first appearing on the cooking competition
2009 SEASON ONE: Poh Ling Yeow and Chris Badenoch
‘I’ve been waiting for this moment for 10 years and now I’m back. I have a little bit of unfinished business,’ Poh Ling Yeow, 47, previously said in a statement.
After becoming the franchise’s first runner-up, she has released three cookbooks, had two of her cooking shows on ABC and SBS, and also runs Adelaide cafe Jamface.
One to watch! Poh Ling Yeow was the first runner-up, and has gone on to release three cookbooks, host two cooking shows on ABC and SBS, and also run Adelaide cafe Jamface
A decade on! Chris Badenoch (who placed third) has since launched his own beer brand, Boneyard Brewing and opened a Melbourne restaurant, Josie Bones. Pictured in 2020
Meanwhile, Chris Badenoch (who placed third) has since launched his own beer brand, Boneyard Brewing.
In November 2010, he also opened Melbourne restaurant, Josie Bones, with wife Julia Jenkins, who he met while competing on the series.
2010 SEASON TWO: Callum Hann and Courtney Roulston
Courtney Roulston, who placed fifth on season two, scored a TV presenting gig in 2019 on Channel 10’s cooking series, Farm to Fork.
She has also released two books: The Salad Kitchen and Salads In A Jar.
Always smiling! Courtney Roulston, who placed fifth on season two, scored a TV presenting gig in 2019 with Channel 10’s cooking series, Farm to Fork, and has two cookbooks
‘This is going to be really, really tough!’ Despite having his own business success since being a runner-up on season two in 2010, Callum Hann, 29, says he is aware of just how fierce the competition will be to win the $250,000 cash prize. Pictured in 2020
Despite being the runner-up in season two, Callum Hann, 29, says he is aware of just how tough the competition will be.
‘This is going to be really, really tough. There’s cookbook authors, TV presenters, restaurant owners and those who just missed out,’ he said.
Since appearing on the program, he opened Sprout Cooking School. The interactive cooking school then gave birth to three other health-related businesses between 2015 and 2018.
2011 SEASON THREE: Dani Venn and Hayden Quinn
Back again! Dani Venn, who placed fourth, went on to host her own cooking show on Channel 10, called Weekend Feast, and is also the director and founder of two businesses
Dani Venn, who placed fourth, went on to host her own cooking show on Channel 10, called Weekend Feast, from 2014 to 2016.
She is also the director and founder of two businesses: Eat it Up Creative and The Wholehearted Cook.
Fan favourite! Hayden Quinn has hosted three cooking shows (two on ABC and one on Channel 10) and has two cookbooks on the market. Pictured in 2011
Small steps: While paediatric nurse Amina Elshafei hasn’t quit her day job to pursue cooking full-time, she released her first cookbook, Amina’s Home Cooking, in 2015
Hayden Quinn, who placed sixth, has has hosted two ABC shows (Hayden Quinn South Africa and Surfing the Menu Next Generation ) and a show that launched on Channel 10 this year – Taste Of Australia.
He also has two cookbooks: Dish it Up and Surfing the Menu.
2012 SEASON FOUR: Amina Elshafei and Ben Milbourne
Will that help him? Ben Milbourne has his own restaurant in Tasmania and featured on SBS Food Network’s Andy and Ben Eat Australia with now-judge Andy Allen
While paediatric nurse Amina Elshafei hasn’t quit her day job to pursue cooking full-time, she released her first cookbook, Amina’s Home Cooking, in 2015.
After placing fifth on the fourth season, Ben Milbourne opened modern Australian restaurant CharlotteJack in Tasmania. He also had his own TV show ‘Ben’s Menu’ on Channel 10 and featured on SBS Food Network’s Andy and Ben Eat Australia.
A lot has happened for Lynton Tapp! He opened Melbourne’s Westwood restaurant in 2018, released his first Outback Pantry cookbook in 2016 and host hosted two TV shows on Channel 10: Taste of Travel and My Market Kitchen
2013 SEASON FIVE: Lynton Tapp
Season five runner-up Lynton Tapp has been busy since leaving the series.
He opened Melbourne’s Westwood restaurant in 2018, released his first Outback Pantry cookbook in 2016 and host hosted two TV shows on Channel 10: Taste of Travel and My Market Kitchen.
Dessert will be a piece of cake! Emelia Jackson, who placed third in her season, opened her cake business in 2016- Emelia Jackson Cake Designs
Laura Sharrad, who was the runner-up in season five, opened her own restaurant, Nido Bar and Pasta, last year. Pictured in 2020
Fifth place star Tracy Collins now operates two restaurants, and has an organic botanicals vermouth product on the market
2014 SEASON SIX: Emelia Jackson, Tracy Collins, and Laura Sharrad
Emelia Jackson, who placed third in her season, opened her cake business in 2016- Emelia Jackson Cake Designs.
Fifth place star Tracy Collins now operates two restaurants, and has an organic botanicals vermouth product on the market.
Laura Sharrad, who was the runner-up, opened her own restaurant, Nido Bar and Pasta, last year.
2015 SEASON SEVEN: Reynold Poernomo and Rose Adam
He’s been busy! Reynold Poernomo has opened three businesses with his family since 2016 and appeared as a guest judge on the fifth season of MasterChef Indonesia in 2015
Keeping it in the family: Rose Adam, who placed tenth on the seventh season, went on to open a cafe, The Middle Store, with her family in Adelaide
Reynold Poernomo has opened three businesses with his family since 2016: KOI Dessert Kitchen, Monkey’s Corner and TiNi Artisan Bakehouse.
He also appeared as a guest judge on the fifth season of MasterChef Indonesia in 2015.
Rose Adam, who placed tenth on the seventh season, went on to open a cafe, The Middle Store, with her family in Adelaide.
PICTURED IN 2016: After placing third, Harry Foster co-opened a gin distillery, 7K Distillery, with his friend in 2017
2016 SEASON EIGHT: Harry Foster
Harry Foster, who placed third, co-opened a gin distillery, 7K Distillery, in 2017.
2017 SEASON NINE: Sarah Tiong and Ben Ungermann
Axed star? Runner-up Ben Ungermann, who was billed for the 2020 all-stars cast (pictured), is not believed to be in the series anymore after an arrest was reported last month
Runner-up Ben Ungermann, who was billed for the 2020 all-stars cast, is not believed to be in the series anymore after an arrest was reported last month.
The star, who was dubbed the ‘Ice Cream King’ by fans, launched Ungermann Brothers, an ice cream parlour, in 2018.
In a statement to the Herald Sun in March, a spokesperson for Endemol Shine, the production company behind the long-running reality series, described his arrest as being ‘of a personal nature’.
Don’t mess with her! Still working part-time as a lawyer, Sarah Tiong has her own pop-up street stall, Pork Party, and is about to release her first cookbook. Pictured in 2020
Meanwhile, his season nine co-star Sarah Tiong will be!
Still working part-time as a lawyer, Sarah has her own pop-up street stall, Pork Party, and is about to release her first cookbook.
2018 SEASON 10: Brendan Pang, Jess Liemantara, Khanh Ong, Reece Hignell, Sarah Clare
While he was eliminated TWICE on the tenth season, Brendan Pang went on to find his own success with Fremantle pop-up dumpling kitchen, Bumplings, and has a cookbook slated for release in May 2020.
Khanh Ong also is gearing up to release a cookbook in July, and has co-hosted episodes of My Market Kitchen on Channel 10 in 2018.
Cook with confidence! While he was eliminated TWICE on the tenth season, Brendan Pang went on to find his own success with Fremantle pop-up dumpling kitchen, Bumplings, and has a cookbook slated for release in May 2020
Khanh Ong (pictured) is gearing up to release a cookbook in July, and has co-hosted episodes of My Market Kitchen on Channel 10 in 2018
Co-star Jess Liemantara self-published her first cookbook, A Zest Of Jess, in 2019.
Sarah Clare now runs her own restaurant, ILHA in Cygnet, which features a modern Australian menu with South American influences.
Meanwhile, sixth place holder Reece Hignell has continued working in the industry.
Dessert queen! Jess Liemantara self-published her first cookbook, A Zest Of Jess, in 2019. Pictured in 2020
On to bigger things! Sarah Clare now runs her own restaurant, ILHA in Cygnet, which features a modern Australian menu with South American influences
Ready to compete! Meanwhile, sixth place holder Reece Hignell has continued working in the industry since his 2018 TV appearance (pictured)
2019 SEASON 11: Simon Toohey and Tessa Boersma
The franchise’s most recent runner-up Tessa Boersma has been busy writing recipes, with a cookbook likely in the works.
Simon Toohey has been busy over the past year, launching two businesses: a Melbourne pop-up vegan smokehouse restaurant and the Sustainable Earth Network.
Back so soon! Simon Toohey and Tessa Boersma have returned just one year after their season aired, with Simon having recently launched two businesses and Tessa writing recipes
Gone! MasterChef Australia’s long-running hosts Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris, left the show last year after a decade of fronting the popular cooking program
‘The old judges are not missed!’ Fans were impressed by how professional the new judges appeared on screen, and were happy to see a female judge join the 2020 panel. Pictured: 2020 judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo
MasterChef Australia’s long-running judges Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris left the show last year after a decade of fronting the popular program.
Fans agreed that newly appointed hosts Andy Allen (who won MasterChef in 2012), Jock Zonfrillo and Melissa Leong added a ‘breath of fresh air’ to the cooking show, with many viewers agreeing ‘the old judges were not missed’.
MasterChef Australia: Back To Win airs weeknights from 7:30pm on Ten
Tune in! MasterChef Australia: Back To Win continues Tuesday from 7:30pm on Channel 10