MasterChef 2020: What the contestants have been up to since first appearing on the show

With 24 returning contestants back to battle it out for the top title, here’s a refresher on what the cooks have been up to since they were last on our screens.

Jessica Wang

7 min read

April 15, 2020 - 10:30AM

There’s been a lot of change with MasterChef’s 2020 return.

There’s a new name (the series is technically called MasterChef Australia ‘Back to Win’) and new judges, but this year’s group of 24 contestants feature some familiar faces.

Reuniting various top-12 alumni from the show’s 11-year history, the cast includes season one contestants Poh Ling Yeow and Chris Badenoch, mixed with newer faces like season 10's Jess Liemantara and season 11's Simon Toohey.

If you’re not a devout MasterChef fan, then you might be slightly less familiar with this year’s line-up. Have no fear because here’s exactly what you need to know about this season’s cast, including what they’ve been up to since leaving the MasterChef kitchen.

Amina Elshafei, Season Four

After exiting the MasterChef kitchen, Amina has published a cookbook, Amina’s Home Cooking and hosted a variety of international cooking events.

Despite her love of food, the 2012 contestant also works as a paediatric nurse in Sydney.

Ben Milbourne, Season Four

Fan-favourite Ben has continued to remain on our screens since his TV debut in 2012. He went on to host Ben’s Menu on Channel 10 for three seasons before appearing alongside his friend and 2020 MasterChef judge, Andy Allen in SBS’ Andy and Ben Eat Australia. In 2017 he also produced and hosted his own TV show, Food Lab, which was later picked up by the SBS Food Network.

The father-of-two also owns the restaurant, CharlotteJack in Devonport, Tasmania, which is named after his kids.

Ben Ungermann, Season Nine

While it's already public knowledge that Ben will be booted from the show after being arrested for an incident of a “personal nature,” his dish last night had the judges impressed.

Since 2017, the 34-year-old has made appearances on MasterChef Holland and MasterChef Indonesia and also operates the Ungermann Brothers Ice Cream Parlour with his younger brother, Danny.

Brendan Pang, Season 10

After making it to the top 10 in 2018, Brendan quit his job as a social worker in Broome and relocated back to his hometown of Perth. He continues to share his recipes on his website and Instagram and runs the much-loved dumpling truck, Bumplings Perth.

Callum Hann, Season Two

Callum was just 20 years old when he was bested by season two winner, Adam Liaw. Ten years later, he's significantly beefed up his cooking resume.

He now operates several cooking schools and businesses in Adelaide, including Sprout Cooking School, Sprout Health Studio, Sprout Catering and Dietary Hawk and is also a presenter on SA Weekender. He's also married to Adelaide designer Crystal Jagger and the couple welcomed their first daughter, Rose, in October 2019.

Chris Badenoch, Season One

It’s been 10 years since Chris first graced us with his nose-to-tail ethos of cooking and a lot has changed for the WA man.

After the competition he also went on to date Julia Jenkins who he’s now married to. The pair went on to open Melbourne restaurant Josie Bones together in November 2010 before relocating back to Perth.

Courtney Roulston, Season Two

From a Coles ambassadorship to her growing catering business, the Sydney cook is still very much embedded in the food industry.

Not only is Courtney the head chef for the Sydney Swans but she also recently appeared in Channel 10's Farm to Fork cooking show alongside fellow MasterChef alumni, Andy Allen and Michael Weldon.

Dani Venn, Season Three

After Dani’s Sri Lankan mud crab curry won her this season’s only Immunity Pin, the Melbourne mum and business owner has proven herself as one to watch.
Dani has held stints in radio and television, from hosting breakfast radio on Nova FM and her TV series, Weekend Feast. After the birth of her daughter Harlow, she began The Wholehearted Cook and is also the director of food consultancy agency, Eat it Up Creative.

Emelia Jackson, Season Six

Renowned for her attention to detail when it comes to her baked creations, Emelia now runs her own business creating bespoke, made-to-order cakes.

She also hosts baking classes where she shares her pastry knowledge on topics like creating the perfect choux pastry or assembling a cookie cake.

Harry Foster, Season Eight

After finishing in second place, Harry moved his life from Queensland to Tasmania where he worked in luxury accommodation, studied plant science, co-opened a gin distillery and nurtured his passion for sustainable seafood.

While he’s since moved back to Queensland, he continues to work as a sustainable fisherman and often documents his free diving finds on Instagram.

Hayden Quinn, Season Three

Another much-loved MasterChef alumni, Hayden has cemented himself in Australia’s food scene. He's hosted a number of TV programs from Hayden Quinn South Africa and Surfing the Menu Next Generation on the ABC and Channel 10's Taste Of Australia.

The former professional lifeguard has also turned his hand to podcasting in 2019 with The Roving Mic. The interview-style podcasts sees him chat to his guests (think: writer Sarah Wilson and actress Carissa Walford) while they go on a hike.

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Jess Liemantara, Season 10

At only 22, Jess Liemantara is this season’s youngest contestant, however her pastry skills are well-honed.

After finishing in fourth place she’s gone on to self-publish her book, A Zest of Jess, and has worked as a pastry chef in the likes of Om Nom Dessert Bar, The Press Club, Nobu Melbourne and Raffles Hotel, Jakarta.

Khanh Ong, Season 10

Known for his vivacious humour and bubble personality, Khanh is a much-anticipated addition to this year’s cast. Apart from building up his profile as an influencer on Instagram, he’s also worked as Melbourne’s highly regarded The George on Collins and has co-hosted episodes of Channel 10’s My Market Kitchen.

Laura Sharrad, Season Six

MasterChef fans will remember Laura's season six finale as one of the most emotional finales to date, despite losing out to Brent Owens. However, she's since crafted an illustrious cooking career working for new judge Jock Zonfrillo at his Adelaide restaurant, Orana, as well as holding stints at Andres Cucina and Hently Farm in the Barossa Valley.

It was while working for Jock that she was introduced to her now-husband, Max Sharrad and they’ve gone on to open Nido Bar and Pasta in Adelaide.

Lynton Tapp, Season Five

Although Lynton originally appeared on the cooking competition after his mum nominated him for the show in 2013, he’s covered a lot of ground in the seven years since.

He released his debut cookbook, Outback Pantry in 2016, has hosted several episodes of Taste of Travel and My Market Kitchen and opened Melbourne's much-acclaimed Westwood restaurant with his brother-in-law. Not too shabby at all.

Poh Ling Yeow, Season One

Series favourite, Poh hardly needs an introduction and has kept herself very busy since coming second in 2009.

She’s hosted two TV series – Poh's Kitchen and Poh & Co – and has also published three cookbooks: Poh’s Kitchen – My Cooking Adventures, Same Same But Different and Poh Bakes a Hundred Greats.

Adelaide locals will also be familiar with her cult-favourite market stall, Jamface, which continues to draw in crowds every Sunday at the Adelaide Showgrounds Farmers Market.

Reece Hignell, Season 10

Known for his architectural sweet creations, the Newcastle native has continued to share his love of baking.

Reece has also made a name for himself hosting cooking classes and also makes cakes to order under his business moniker, Cakeboi.

Reynold Poernomo, Season Seven

One of the most successful MasterChef Australia contestants to date, Reynold is a sturdy fixture in Australia's food scene. Sydney-siders will be very familiar with KOI Dessert Bar, which he opened with his brothers in 2016. Since then he's expanded to other ventures with KOI Dessert Kitchen, Monkey’s Corner and TiNi Artisan Bakehouse.

That’s not all. 2017 also saw him listed in Forbes Asia’s 30 under 30 and win Gault & Millau Pastry Chef of the Year award.

Rose Adam, Season Seve n

After finishing in 10th place in the seventh season of MasterChef, Rose opened up Adelaide cafe The Middle Store just six weeks later. Five years after its launch, it continues to be a local favourite.

Sarah Clare, Season 1 0

After her 2018 MasterChef stint, Tasmanian-born Sarah returned to Tasmania where she worked at Fat Pig Farm with food critic and chef, Mathew Evans. She's since opened up Ilha Restaurant in Cynet, Tasmania, which focuses on casual, modern Australian cuisine with a South American influence.

Sarah Tiong, Season Nine

Since leaving the MasterChef kitchen, Sarah has continued to juggle working as a lawyer, while being a private chef. She’s currently working on her first cookbook, Sweet Savoury Spicy which is set to be released in June and focuses on South East Asian cooking.

Simon Toohey, Season 11

After coming third in last year's series, Simon is back to wow fans with his vegan creations. In October 2019, he continued to champion sustainability and veganism with his much-hyped vegan smokehouse pop-up in Melbourne and he recently launched the Sustainable Earth Network, which focuses on fighting food waste.

Tessa Boersma, Season 11

Fresh from winning second place in MasterChef Australia 2019, Tessa has continued building momentum in the food industry. Apart from writing and publishing her recipes, she’s also worked alongside acclaimed chef, Alanna Sapwell at Brisbane’s ARC Dining.

Tracy Collins, Season Six

Born and raised in the Barossa Valley, SA, the mum-of-three has continued to champion produce from the renowned foodie region. In 2015 she co-founded Harvest Kitchen with her business partner Pete Little, however she's since left the business to focus on her studies and family.

Tracy has also dabbled in the artisan spirits, launching an organic botanical vermouth, Wermut, with her husband.

MasterChef airs on Channel 10 weeknights at 7.30pm