SA’s Laura Sharrad finishes runner-up to Emelia Jackson in MasterChef Back to Win 2020
Emelia Jackson has claimed the 2020 MasterChef title, winning the final competition ahead of Adelaide’s Laura Sharrad.
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South Australia’s Laura Sharrad has fallen agonisingly short of the 2020 MasterChef title, finishing runner-up to Melbourne’s Emelia Jackson in a nailbiting season finale.
Jackson secured the coveted title and the $250,000 winner’s prize ahead of Sharrad following a tense four-hour challenge on Monday night.
It’s the second time Sharrad, 25, has finished runner-up on Ten’s cooking competition, after losing to Victoria’s Brent Owens in 2014.
“Never in a million years did I think that I’d be standing here again, after thinking six years ago my MasterChef journey was over,” Sharrad said. “I feel like I grew up on this show, in age, maturity and as a cook.
“I am forever grateful to come back to this kitchen. It brings me so much joy to witness Emelia being crowned the winner. She is such a deserving winner. My future is bright, and I am so excited for what is coming.”
Sharrad and Jackson were given four hours to prepare and serve a three-course meal featuring an entree, a main and a dessert, for the show’s judges - and their fellow Back to Win contestants.
Sharrad burnt her hand on a hot pan early, but continued to deliver impressive food.
Nothing could split the duo after the entree and main courses, but it was the dessert – featuring a Jerusalem artichoke gelato and a cumquat gel – that ultimately lost Sharrad the winner’s trophy
The judges – Adelaide’s Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen – disliked the texture of her ice cream, and chocolate “soil”, giving the win to Jackson.
“I am seriously pinching myself! I never in a million years thought I would be here, holding the MasterChef trophy over my head,” Jackson said.
“It was such an incredible experience - getting to know the new judges, cooking my little heart out against some absolutely fierce competitors, spending so much time reconnecting with the incredibly talented Laura - the list goes on and on. I will never forget this moment.”
Sharrad was hoping to become the third South Australian to win the Channel 10 cooking competition, after Adam Liaw (2010) and Sashi Cheliah (2018).
However, Sharrad and her husband, award-winning chef, Max, have already announced plans to launch their second Italian restaurant early next year.
The couple, who currently run Italian restaurant Nido, in Hyde Park, will take over the old Rigoni’s site on Leigh Street, with a 185-person eatery called Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room.