MasterChef: Larissa Takchi charged with driving offences at Dural

The youngest winner in MasterChef’s history prepares to trade the kitchen for the court room after she was charged with driving offences.

Larissa Takchi’s driving record has been peppered with alleged offences. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

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MasterChef 2019 winner Larissa Takchi can cut the mustard in the kitchen but her driving has landed her in court after the 24-year-old was charged with speeding while unlicensed.

Takchi — who wowed judges and foodies with her signature decadent desserts on the reality TV show last year — has been charged with driving with a suspended licence and going over the speed limit by 20km/h at Dural in April.

Larissa Takchi when she won MasterChef aged 22. Picture: Channel 10

Court papers state Hills police charged Ms Takchi on April 10 after she was driving 20km/h over the speed limit on the 60km/h Old Northern Rd, near her home, at 4.20pm.

Ms Takchi did not appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday when the matter was briefly mentioned before being adjourned to the same court on July 22 when she is expected to enter a plea.

After court, Takchi said: “It’s such a huge misunderstanding. That’s why we’re going to court.’’

Larissa Takchi will face court this month. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

After her history-making victory on MasterChef and before the COVID-19 outbreak struck, the gregarious Ms Takchi spoke about plans to produce a documentary showcasing The Hills’ produce farms and eventually wants to open a paddock-to-plate restaurant near Dural.

In January, she created the world’s first black forest mustard macaron as part of a project with Maille Mustard.

Ms Takchi’s family runs the hugely popular Wild Pear Cafe at Dural.