Latest news with #BackToWin
Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef Australia fans slam the show's 'repulsive' hygiene standards: 'I thought that was a big no no!'
MasterChef Australia fans have taken aim at the cooking show's hygiene standards. Eagle-eyed viewers have singled out recent episodes where fan favourites can be seen sporting rings and necklaces while preparing food. 'I have noticed that a lot of contestants wear jewellery when cooking. I thought that was a big no no in the hospitality industry?' a fan wrote on a Reddit discussion board. The viewer also took issue with Jamie Fleming and his choice of headwear. 'Same with Jamie wearing his caps,' the user said of Fleming, who first appeared on the show in 2014 and returned this year for the Back To Win season. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I've been saying this for years,' added another disappointed viewer. 'Wearing rings while handling meat/poultry/seafood and/or working dough etc, is genuinely repulsive. 'I don't care how many times they wash their hands in between each step. Why on earth can't they take off their jewellery for their cooks??!!' Added another viewer, 'I don't think we need or will ever see hair nets but at least tidy, pulled back hair, and no hanging jewellery or bracelets/rings.' 'Also, shouldn't people be pulling their hair back?' said another viewer. Viewers were particularly disturbed to see contestant Sarah Todd wearing jewellery and Snezana 'Snez' Calic wearing her long hair out. 'Surely there shouldn't be fringes and loose strands of hair free across the face - should have to tuck it under a cap or something?' It comes after MasterChef Australia fans were up in arms after two stars from the cooking show appeared to break a kitchen taboo during an episode last week. The moment came as contestants were preparing their courses for the service immunity challenge at Melbourne 's Vue De Monde. As contestant Laura Sharrad flamed a handful of delicious looking wagu steaks, the 29-year-old from Adelaide was seen to blow on the food - a gesture that sent viewers firing off alarmed comments online. 'What's with Laura blowing all over the steak?' moaned one fan, while another added, 'Laura stop blowing on food.' And to add more drama to the issue, Executive Chef Hugh Allen was seen doing exactly the same thing - cooling down a dish by blowing on the food. 'Totally fine if you're only cooking for yourself, but not if you're going to serve the food to others,' someone else said. Another viewer agreed with the critical comments on the thread before adding, 'no one told Laura not to, then along comes Hugh and does the same.' 'All that saliva Laura is blowing over those Wagyu cubes,' said another MasterChef enthusiast. Most viewers complaining about the 'food blowing' saw it as a hygiene risk. 'I'm not eating anything that the chef has continually blown over. That's a no-no, and I'm surprised nothing was said to Laura. But then Hugh blew over it too. Yuck,' explained one fan on the thread. According to 2024 MasterChef Australia contestant Sumeet Saigal, the cast is informed of the hygiene standards ahead of filming. 'You're always briefed about hygiene and you're always reminded,' she told Yahoo Lifestyle last June.
Daily Mail
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Julie Goodwin shows off her dramatic weight loss transformation ahead of MasterChef Australia return
Julie Goodwin will return to the kitchen that made her famous on Sunday. The MasterChef Australia star, 54, showed off her dramatic transformation in new promotional images for her upcoming cameo on the Back To Win series. Sporting a sleeveless khaki wrap dress in the teaser image posted to Instagram on Friday, Julie exposed her muscled biceps and toned forearms. The beloved chef beamed a big smile down the barrel of the camera as she flaunted her toned physique. 'Look who's back in the MasterChef Australia kitchen on Sunday,' the caption read. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Julie Goodwin, 54, will return to the MasterChef Australia kitchen on Sunday It wasn't long before the news was inundated with comments from thrilled MasterChef fans. 'Can't wait! Absolute legend,' one viewer commented. 'LET'S GO JULIE,' said another. 'From feeding the needy in Gosford to where it all started. It shows you the amazing heart Julie Goodwin has,' a third chimed in. Julie's exciting announcement comes just days after she issued a statement defending her weight loss after fans raised concerns about her health. Julie shared an update on Instagram after a new photo, in which she looked very slim, was posted to her account. Her dramatic transformation led to comments from worried followers. 'Thanks to all who have expressed concern about my health,' she began. Julie first appeared on MasterChef Australia in 2009 (pictured) 'I am well and I am within the healthy weight range. My doctor concurs,' she continued. 'For those who have asked me for advice or tips, I am not qualified to provide this. It's advice that should be sought from your trusted health professionals, not from me. I'm a TV cook,' Julie continued. 'For those who want to comment on the shape and condition of my body please, do it on your own page because I'm tired of reading it. For that reason I'll be turning off comments on this post. 'For all of us can we please find something more interesting to talk about. Can we please model kindness to our kids and grandkids and can we please leave this obsession with people's looks back in the 1980s. Peace and love.' The celebrity cookbook author shot to national fame after winning the inaugural season of Network Ten's MasterChef Australia in 2009.
Refinery29
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Even MasterChef Australia Winner Nat Thaipun Struggles With Imposter Syndrome
MasterChef Australia's Nat Thaipun has had a whirlwind year since taking home the grand prize during the 2024 finale. She's worked alongside Jamie Oliver in London, has her first cookbook Anywhere and Everywhere coming out this year, completed 22 pop-ups, and has a new docu-series called For Now launching in August. Yet, when Refinery29 Australia speaks to her, she admits she still struggles with " imposter syndrome" — a feeling that's far too common in women. The young cook is returning to the MasterChef Australia kitchen later this month alongside former winner Julie Goodwin, and will be judging food cooked by the remaining contestants — all who are professional chefs. Even though she's had such an incredible career so far, Nat couldn't help but have "the jitters" and nervous energy running through her veins. "It was terrifying trying to set a challenge for these chefs, because obviously, it's Back To Win, and there were a lot of amazing contestants. It's just a lot of pressure for me," she admits. "I always have imposter syndrome, so yes, I definitely had imposter syndrome [in that moment]." The concept of "imposter syndrome" was first introduced in 1978 by researchers Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Ament Imes. After studying 150 women at the top of their field — who also had PhDs — they discovered the subjects continually believed they were lucky to have success and felt they were considered more intelligent and capable than in reality. For Nat, her link to imposter syndrome harks back to her childhood, when her mother dismissed her dreams of becoming a professional chef. "The imposter syndrome part just comes from something that is very personal to me as well.... because in Thai culture, being in the kitchen is quite normal," she explains. "When I told my mum I wanted to be a chef like her when I was really young, she was like, 'You wouldn't, you can't be a chef because you're Thai. Like [all] Thai people know how to cook'." It's a hard feeling to overcome, especially when society is built around building up and supporting men, so how did the chef realise she finally deserves a seat at the table? "No matter what, I feel like you'll always feel imposter syndrome.... I think it's got to be one of those things where, for me, even in the last year, it was like over time. The more [ MasterChef Australia ] episodes I had won through my dishes, [the more I] had to really hype myself up," she says. "Celebrating the little wins that you have in life is just so, so important. Not even just in life, just in your job, in your day-to-day, and in the cook." ' I feel like you'll always feel imposter syndrome... celebrating the little wins that you have in life is just so, so important. ' Nat believes we are far too hard on ourselves, and with the world being so "difficult and tough", we simply need to give ourselves a break. "It's really important to make sure that you understand you've come a long way. You've learned a lot, give yourself a pat on the back." Being Thai-Australian, Nat's journey has come with struggles being in the hospitality industry. At times, she wondered if she was hired because of her skills, or if she needed to fill a diversity quota. "I'm such an overachiever as well, but sometimes I have this thing where I feel like I'm only achieving things because I'm like, a diversity card. That sounds horrible, but sometimes I'm like, 'Oh, I feel like I'm an easy pick because I'm a woman with tatts, and then I just happen to be of colour as well'. I tick all the boxes, and you know, that's probably why people choose me for things," she admits. "But at the same time, I have to remind myself that I'm good at what I do, and I truly do believe that now. I'm starting to believe it more and more every day." ' I have to remind myself that I'm good at what I do, and I truly do believe that now. I'm starting to believe it more and more every day. ' The cookbook author notes she's become an inspiration for younger women who are "terrified" of entering a career in hospitality, which is a "beautiful" thing. "If I stay in the context of the kitchen and hospitality, I represent something that is so much more, and it's inspiring for women, especially younger women as well," she says excitedly.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Heartbreaking moment MasterChef Australia judges break down as contestant Laura Sharrad feels Jock Zonfrillo's 'spirit' on set
MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen has become tearful during an emotional moment on Wednesday's episode of the Back To Win season. Contestant Laura Sharrad, who was good friends with late judge Jock Zonfrillo, had viewers and the cast alike in tears after presenting a seafood pasta dish. Laura became emotional as Andy, who was also deeply close to Jock, tasted the dish, with co-host Poh Ling Yeow realising that the pair were remembering their beloved mate, who died in 2023. 'I can feel this little electric current running from you to the dish to Andy. And it's Jock. I can really feel it,' Poh said. Upon making the statement, Poh watched as Andy and Laura became tearful, and Laura was handed a napkin to dab her eyes. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I'm completely right, aren't I? I can actually feel it,' Poh said, referring to Jock's spirit. Both Laura and Andy quietly agreed that something special had happened on set, with the dish Laura created reminding them of Jock. 'This dish is so clever because it's such a demonstration of you working smarter, not harder,' Poh complimented Laura. Earlier this year, Andy shared a heartfelt tribute to his late co-star on the second anniversary of his death. The celebrity chef, 37, who co-hosted the popular Channel Ten cooking competition alongside Jock from 2020 - 2023, shared a throwback photo to social media of them together and captioned it with some bittersweet words. 'Two years since we lost the great man, Jock Zonfrillo. I miss him more than ever,' Andy wrote. The precious picture captured the pair beaming together as they proudly held up a string of sausages to the camera. Many of Andy's celebrity friends took to the comment section to share their support. Laura became emotional as Andy, who was also deeply close to Jock, tasted the dish, with co-host Poh Ling Yeow realising that the pair were remembering their beloved mate Jock's widow Lauren posted a love heart emoji, as did celebrity chef Darren Robertson. Beloved celebrity chef Jock was tragically found dead in a hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne's CBD, on April 30, 2023 - which was also Andy's 35th birthday. Andy previously revealed the death of his close friend and co-star was the 'hardest time' of his life. Last year, he opened up about losing Jock and told how it was 'really difficult' grieving in the public eye. The TV personality candidly revealed it was the first time he had dealt with such a personal tragedy. 'It was the hardest time of my life, I had never had tragedy like that hit me so close, it was very uncharted waters and multiply that by it being in the public eye; it was really difficult,' he told the Herald Sun. Andy said he didn't give himself a chance to grieve because he wanted to be there for Jock's family - his wife Lauren and their kids Alfie, eight, and Isla, four, as well as his adult daughters Ava and Sophia from past relationships. He detailed his heavy emotional toll and told how he spent a 'full day crying' after travelling to Sicily to mark Jock's birthday. 'I spent a full day just crying, in a couple of hour-long increments, just having a good old cry, then I would be quiet... then I would go again,' he shared. Andy said his grief only really hit him twice while shooting the latest series of MasterChef, which was also his first without his close friend Jock. Andy previously admitted he almost didn't appear on the 2024 season of the cooking contest, but is 'so glad' he decided to push through the grief. 'It was tough. I didn't know if I was going to do it. I'm so glad that I did, but it was hard,' he told The Project. Network 10 dedicated the fifteenth season to Jock and his family as they aired his scenes posthumously, acknowledging his 'sudden and tragic passing'. At the time, his wife Lauren was in Italy with their two children and had phoned Victoria Police to request a welfare check because he stopped answering her calls. Jock's death came just one day before the 2023 season of MasterChef was due to premiere, and it was delayed in arriving on air for a week 'out of respect'.
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef Australia elimination sees star cook get the chop after heated challenge - as Back To Win season approaches finale
MasterChef Australia 's top eight has become seven as the Back To Win contestants turn up the heat in the ultimate pressure cooker season. On Sunday night, season three's Alana Lowes cooked her final dish in the Doha kitchen as she went head-to-head with Snezana Calic, Laura Cassai and Sarah Todd in a 'dual duel'. The cook-off paired contestants together to battle it out against their opponent, cooking with the same main ingredient in a heated elimination challenge. The least impressive dish in each duo sent its chef onto the second round, fighting it out again for a place in next week's lineup. The challenge placed the contestants literally in a face-off showdown behind benches that were set up opposite each other, upping the tension in the kitchen. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. In the first round, Alana battled it out against Sarah, each tasked with creating a dish featuring horseradish as the star of the show. Both thinking way outside of the box, Alana plated up a horseradish ice cream with a touch of white chocolate, a soaked almond biscuit, goat's curd, fresh plums and a celery oil on top, while Sarah made wagyu beef doughnuts with a horseradish cream and pea puree. However, despite Alana thinking she cooked a 'beautiful dish', judges were left wanting a little bit more balance in the sweetness of the ice cream, and, surprisingly, a little less horseradish. Round two saw Alana duelling in the kitchen opposite Laura, who had earlier experienced an emotional breakdown in the kitchen that saw her fellow chefs rally around her. As tears were dried and pep talks were had, the pair put on their game faces for the second round, which came with a challenging feature ingredient: fennel seeds. Putting her technical skills to work and creating a balanced and flavourful dessert, Alana had viewers drooling at home with a burnt fennel seed pavlova, which she paired with a sour cherry sorbet and candied fennel stalks. The dish - both stunning and delicious - impressed the judges, however they noted that the flavour of the fennel seed struggled to shine when there were so many other ingredients on the plate, a small factor that ultimately led to her hanging up her apron. Speaking to Ten of her elimination, Alana said that her second time around in the MasterChef kitchen was filled with food, fun and, above all, fierce friendships, especially with fellow participant Snezana. The dish impressed the judges, however they noted that the flavour of the fennel seed struggled to shine when there were so many other ingredients on the plate, a small factor that ultimately led to her hanging up her apron 'I felt like this was a second opportunity to get into this kitchen and just really have fun with it, enjoy every moment,' she said. 'The first time around, you're a bit timid, you don't want to get into a pressure test or to get up for elimination. 'This time, I felt like I had so much more confidence coming into the kitchen, my food knowledge was so much bigger than what it was, my knowledge of ingredients, flavours, and I really just loved being able to play around and put it together. 'I would have loved to have gone further, but I just feel so satisfied with what I achieved and the dishes that the judges absolutely raved about,' she added. Last week, another chef from the Back To Win season left the kitchen for good, and that chef was Audra Morrice. Audra, who first appeared on MasterChef Australia in 2012, saw her Spanish seafood paella deemed 'inconsistent' by the judges and she was sent home. 'I actually feel really good. I came in to show the simplicity of cultural cuisine. And that food doesn't always have to be complicated,' the chef said upon getting the bad news that she was out of the competition. 'This kitchen is addictive. I won't deny it was a bit daunting. It really put me out of my comfort zone, which I love,' she added. Speaking to website Draw Your Box, Audra said that she has relished reliving the challenge. 'I just kind of went into this and just cooked what came to mind and what I felt in the flow of the moment,' she said. 'Sometimes it was an epic success, sometimes it was a disastrous fail, but all I wanted to do was cook wholeheartedly and put delicious food on the table.' MasterChef Australia airs five nights a week from Sunday to Thursday on Channel 10 and 10 Play.
