Adelaide chefs and restaurateurs Laura Sharrad, Callum Hann and Andre Ursini heading back onto new series of MasterChef Australia

A two-time runner-up explains why she’s returning to the cooking competition and revealed just how hard it’s been without her late mentor Jock Zonfrillo.

Adelaide’s Laura Sharrad says returning to MasterChef was one of the “toughest decisions of her life” – but she’s doing it for her young daughter Florence.

The popular restaurateur will join fellow South Aussies Callum Hann and Andre Ursini on the new season of Ten’s cooking competition, which has revived the Back to Win concept featuring former contestants looking for their taste of MasterChef glory.

For Sharrad, it’ll be her third appearance on the show, and comes almost a year after she and husband Max Sharrad welcomed first child Florence in April 2024.

“Many people in life only get once chance at chasing their dreams. I’m so grateful and humbled, to be back for the third time, and to be part of something as magical as MasterChef,” said Sharrad, who has previously finished runner-up twice.

Returning MasterChef contestant Laura Sharrad. Pics: Instagram.

Roma and Olive co-founder Hann will star on MasterChef for a fourth time, including a victory in the 2013 All-Stars season, while Ursini hasn’t featured since the inaugural 2009 series alongside Poh Ling Yeow and winner Julie Goodwin.

Sharrad said that motherhood had “changed her whole world” and she couldn’t say no to coming back on the show, despite the challenges.

“For many of you, you see MasterChef as a cooking competition. For me, it’s so much more than that,” said the co-founder of Leigh St hotspot Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room.

“I could never have said no to coming back to a place that has given me so much, but it has been one of the toughest decisions of my life to come back.

“Missing out on those small moments with Florence has only motivated me even more to win this once and for all.

“So this time around, this is for my Florence; because even though winning isn’t everything baby girl, 3rd time’s a charm.”

Sharrad also admitted it was difficult returning to MasterChef for the first time since the death of Jock Zonfrillo, her mentor and former judge on the show.

“To come back to this kitchen without Jock, who has shaped the cook I am today, has been extremely tough,” she said. Zonfrillo was just 46 when he died in May 2023.

Returning MasterChef contestant Andre Ursini. Pics: Instagram.

Returning MasterChef contestant Callum Hann. Pics: Instagram.

Ursini reminisced about his hospitality journey as he toasted his return to MasterChef, recalling his first restaurant, Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar, which launched in 2010, soon after his appearance on Ten’s reality show.

“The ideas for Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar were born through cooking on MasterChef series 1 and for that, I am grateful,” said the owner of Orso, Lost Phoenix Farm and Villetta Porcini.

“Now, after 16 years, I am heading back into the fray of @masterchefau to dance again with the magic of culinary arts.”

MasterChef Back To Win will screen on Ten later this year.