MKR returns: Meet the new contestants as the cooking competition gets underway

As the new season of My Kitchen Rules gets underway, meet the teams who are competing to win over judges Colin Fassnidge and Manu Feildel.

There are far too many tens given out in this year’s My Kitchen Rules, according to judge Colin Fassnidge.

“I’m actually embarrassed as I’ve been known for giving twos,” the notoriously tough judge shares, about his second season joining best mate Manu Feildel in homes around Australia.

Despite all the high marks and virtually travelling the world through the home cooks’ instant restaurants with cuisines from India, Lithuania and Italy on the menu, Fassnidge was still left hankering for a taste of home.

Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge are back for season 13 of My Kitchen Rules Picture: seven

“(I’d love) good old Irish colcannon and an Irish stew (on the menu),” he said.

“I just want some Irish people on the show.”

Feildel said this season, his 15th as judge, was no tougher than any of the others.

“It’s just the whole other stuff that contestants are not prepared for,” he said.

“They come into the competition thinking they are going on a holiday, but as soon

as the competition starts, they realise how difficult it is.”

From models to lawyers, influencers to hospitality pros, here’s the big characters about to dish up a whole lot of drama, with a side serve of great cooking:

Tommy, 30, and Rach, 30

Just Friends – WA

Close friends Tommy and Rach are often mistaken for a loved-up couple with their constant affectionate touches and glances, but they are completely platonic – and they keep telling viewers at every opportunity. Tommy is a creative soul – freelancing in branding and graphic design. Rach works in fashion, styling and modelling. The self proclaimed “confident, spiritual hipsters’ often host gatherings with other creatives and have been known to set up dining tables on the nature strip in the middle of the street. Their strength is their communication, but Tommy can push Rach’s buttons.

Mother and son Sonia and Marcus own more than 1000 cookbooks. Supplied

Sonia, 53, and Marcus, 23

Mother and Son – SA

These two are loud, passionate and sure to entertain in and out of the kitchen – they love each other but they also clash and fight like cats and dogs. High-school teacher Sonia grew up watching her mother cook. She boasts an impressive library of more than 1000 cookbooks.

Marcus describes his mother as a powerhouse and lioness who shows her love through food but he’s wary of her “Italian temper”. While he is highly energetic, unfiltered, chaotic, and messy. He owns a food photography and videography business and entertains his thousands of Instagram and TikTok followers.

Radha and Prabha, 26, are identical twins. Supplied

Radha, 26, and Prabha, 26

Identical Twins – NSW

The inseparable identical twins think they have the secret recipe to win the competition: their telepathic powers. They hope their ability to read each other’s minds will help them win the title of MKR champions. Raised by a single mother after their father passed away when they were two, cooking has helped Radha and Prabha keep their dad’s memories alive. The twins are passionate about helping others. Prabha works in cancer research and Radha is training to be a lawyer. Prabha, who was born two minutes before her sister, takes her role as the bossy older twin very seriously.

Coco and Pearls are friends from NSW. Supplied

Coco, 31, and Pearls, 36

Feisty Friends – NSW

They’re confident alpha-women. They have a plan. They know what they like, what they want and how to get it. New Zealand-born Coco is a pop singer who prides herself on her

“good looks and personal hygiene”. While the headstrong and determined, Czech Republic-born Pearls confesses to stalking chefs online before selecting a venue, so she knows what she’s paying for. They’re hoping to distract the other teams with their beauty and charm, before surprising them with their exceptional cooking. They confess to being “a little bitchy” when dining out and are renowned for sending food back, complaining to waitstaff and writing online reviews.

MKR Contestants Nick and Christian are friends from university. Supplied

Nick, 36, and Christian, 34

Food Maestros – Vic

These best mates met 12 years ago studying drama at university when Nick was coming out of a bad break-up and Christian took him under his wing. After they started living together, they realised their shared love for food, dinner parties, sci-fi and working in hospitality.

Restaurant supervisor Christian is quite competitive and loves watching the chefs at work to learn. Nick works as a venue manager for a pub. During lockdown, they began cooking on

TikTok, amassing 900k views. The duo work well together in the kitchen and believe they

are in sync, but both admit they butt heads as they’re very competitive.

MKR Contestants 2023 – Tommy and Rach. Supplied

Claudean, 52, and Anthony, 49

Married Battlers – Qld

A fiery Italian and a super chill Samoan with hearts of gold and a dream to feed kids in need. They’re the stereotypical chalk and cheese – Claudean is loud, opinionated and tough; Anthony is warm, friendly, patient and calm. They run a food market stall where they sell traditional Italian dishes, sauces and desserts. When Anthony’s not helping Claudean with prep, delivery and customer service for their stall, he manages his floor sanding business.

Claudean’s life before Anthony was full of trials and tribulations and cooking is her way of dealing with trauma.

My Kitchen Rules, Monday, 7.30pm, Seven