Latest news with #CallumHann
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef Australia winner Laura Sharrad reveals the 'cruel' way she learned of her victory - and you didn't see it on TV
MasterChef Australia: Back To Win concluded in a thrilling grand finale on Tuesday night. But winner Laura Sharrad, who beat Callum Hann, found out how she had won in what many viewers have called a 'cruel' process. The show depicted the chef finding out the good news on camera, but in reality, she was told quietly by producers. What's more, both Laura and Callum had to film scenes where they gave a winning speech - and a losing one - to keep the outcome secret. 'It's funny because the first time I did this [MasterChef] there were two endings, so I kind of knew what was going to happen,' Sharrad told on Wednesday. 'It's like, "One of you will go first, one of you wins first, you do a winning speech, and then the confetti gets picked up, we reload the confetti gun, and then you do round two,"' she continued. 'And then you obviously do a losing speech as well. So a bit of acting is required. My acting skills aren't great. We're cooks, we'll never make it as actors. Let's be real. 'It's a very, very weird thing, but I think it's the best thing to do to protect the show and nothing leaking.' Instead of learning the result with all the fanfare viewers see on TV, Laura was told the result in a 'very casual conversation' with Callum and a few producers in the room. Many fans watching at home were less than impressed with the result - with scores of furious viewers taking to social media to slam the result as 'biased' and 'rigged'. Several viewers have also complained of being blocked by the official MasterChef Australia page on X after sharing their anger over Callum's victory. 'My disappointment levels with this season of MasterChef are beyond rigged from the start. Callum is the most creative and talented chef and was extremely ripped off,' wrote one raging commentator. 'Callum the people's champion,' another said, while one more wrote, 'Hopefully next season will be no more biased judging.' 'Obviously scripted - Callum was the best,' someone else said, with another commenting, 'Callum ROBBED.' Instead of learning the result with all the fanfare viewers see on TV, Laura learned the result in a 'very casual conversation' with Callum (pictured) and a few producers in the room A handful of viewers complained that they were 'censored' for trying to share their views on MasterChef Australia's X page. 'Did you get blocked by #masterchefau after tonight's episode?' asked one person, attaching a poll that showed 37 per cent of the 29 respondents taking part had been blocked as of Tuesday night. 'Lollll they blocked me too hahahahhahaha,' wrote someone else. 'Wow, blocked by @masterchefau because of a comment about the final result. A sentiment shared by many. Trying to hide from the negative backlash,' one fan said. When approached for comment by Daily Mail, an ESA spokesperson said: 'MasterChef Australia is dedicated to creating a safe and respectful space on social media that protects the well-being of contestants. 'Users are welcome to share their opinions, but comments that include bullying, defamatory language, and personal attacks will not be tolerated.' Laura went up against Callum in a nail-biting final episode that saw two of the show's most beloved contestants duke it out over two courses. By the end of the episode, Laura emerged as the winner, and walked away with a $250,000 cash prize and the title of MasterChef.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MasterChef's Jamie reveals what separates Callum and Laura ahead of finale
On paper, Callum Hann and Laura Sharrad have had remarkably similar journeys on MasterChef Australia. Both South Australian chefs competed on their original seasons when they were extremely young, finished in second place, and returned in 2020 and 2025 for another chance at the title. The pair have now advanced to the top two in this year's season, with one of the former runner-ups set to finally become a MasterChef champion and receive the $250,000 cash prize. Following his elimination in Monday night's episode, Jamie Fleming tells Yahoo Lifestyle that Callum and Laura each have unique strengths heading into the grand finale. RELATED: MasterChef's Depinder Chhibber claps back at audience criticism: 'Big variety' MasterChef's Ben Macdonald points out wild detail about this year's season MasterChef's Snezana Calic reveals unique struggle this season: 'Nervous' 'I think that Callum's ability to draw interesting flavour combinations and concepts and just pound as much technique into as many different elements as possible, is a big strength of his. I think it's absolutely come into fruition towards the back end of this comp, although he has shown it a lot of the way,' he details. 'And I think Laura's grasp of just making things yummy is pretty second to none. The amount of flavour she can pack into whatever she's making is phenomenal, and I think her grasp of interesting flavours and interesting ingredients, utilising natives and Japanese techniques to help build these really round, beautiful flavours, is something that she's really good at.' The key to winning MasterChef 2025 Despite narrowly missing out on a spot in the finale, Jamie admits he's 'super stoked' for both finalists and how far they've each come in the competition. 'It's pretty on a knife edge, this finale, because they're so good at certain things, and I think that leaning into their strengths is what's going to separate them tonight,' he adds. 'I think that tonight's finale is going to come down to what the challenges set up and who backs themselves enough to just go, 'Yes, I'm going to lean heavily into what I'm good at and what I know I can execute well'. And then it's going to come down to who executes best on the day.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau) Jamie's secret to success Reflecting on his experience in the MasterChef kitchen this time around, Jamie believes the reason why he, Laura, Callum, and Ben Macdonald all made it so far in the competition is because they lived by the same motto: 'Tidy bench, tidy mind, cook better.' 'If you watch back across a lot of the season, I guarantee you that my bench, Callum's bench, Laura's bench, and Ben's bench all look pretty similar, because the first thing we ran for were little containers that could have our spoons, have our salts, and have our butter,' he details. 'We were trying to recreate a professional environment in front of us to make ourselves a little bit more comfortable. There are things that you pick up only through experience, and when you spend as much time as we all have in professional kitchens, you kind of just fall into habits that you know work, and it gives you space and time to think, and you can adjust quicker and stay tidy.' Jamie's post-show plans While he might not be walking away from the competition as this year's champion, Jamie shares that he has plenty of exciting career opportunities in the pipeline. 'I've got Spill Wine up in Maleny, which is our little love letter to wine, and just celebrating local produce and delicious snacks with fantastic vino from around Australia and around the world,' he details. SHOP: ☀️ Tax laws to burn Aussies on summer essential: 'Many of us struggle' 🏉 Rugby fan's huge airport surprise after landing in Sydney: 'Surreal' 🛒 Popular Coles product offers a 'simple switch' to up daily protein intake 'So I'm basing myself over there for a little while at the moment, but I'm just writing a lot, and in the process of planning and filming a lot of content throughout as much of Australia as possible. I think trying to educate and sort of showcase as many amazing producers and as much amazing food as I possibly can, over the next little while, is what's in store for me.'
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
MasterChef Australia winner Laura Sharrad reveals filming two endings was ‘weird'
MasterChef Australia winner Laura Sharrad has given a peek behind the curtain on the unnatural finale filming process. The Adelaide-based restaurateur finally took out the title on Tuesday night's Channel 10 finale, proving third time's a charm after twice placing runner-up on previous all-star seasons. Speaking to Sharrad confirmed she and fellow finale competitor Callum Hann had to film alternate endings at the Melbourne kitchen late last year, a process many viewers deem 'cruel', with the pair having to fake both winning and losing scenarios following an hours-long battle. 'It's funny because the first time I did this [MasterChef] there was two endings, so I kind of knew what was going to happen,' Sharrad said. 'It's like, 'One of you will go first, one of you wins first, you do a winning speech, and then the confetti gets picked up, we reload the confetti gun, and then you do round two'. 'And then you obviously do a losing speech as well. So a bit of acting is required. My acting skills aren't great. We're cooks, we'll never make it as actors. Let's be real. 'It's a very, very weird thing, but I think it's the best thing to do to protect the show and nothing leaking. 'It's such a long production, and everyone works so hard to get to the end. I know some people will say it's a little bit cruel that you don't really know what's happening, but it's the best way to keep the secret and to make sure everyone's hard work pays off.' Laura later found out she was the winner, in much less fanatic circumstances, shortly after the last episode was shot. 'It was a very casual conversation with the producers and Callum and myself, that was it,' she said. 'A very small amount of people in a room. And we just got told … They were just like, 'Laura, you're our winner.' 'So it was very casual. But it was nice to also have that moment with Callum, just the two of us there. We both have been runner up, so we both know that feeling. We've gone through the competition twice together. So, you know, as lovely as it would have been to have that moment in real time, just to have that one-on-one time with Callum was really special.' As part of her winning package, Laura – who runs two restaurants in her home city – is still waiting on the $250,000 cash prize to hit her bank account. Once that happens, she has a very relatable plan for what to do with it. 'I'm going to take a screenshot of my bank account, just so I've got that memento forever,' she said. And then? 'I actually don't know. I've had a little while to think about what I'm going to do with it and I'm stuck,' she admitted. 'If anyone's got any suggestions, let me know. But I think I'll just sit on it for a while and just look at it. And I think if something comes up at the right time, whether it's a venture business-wise … But I'll let it do its own thing and just forget about it for a little while.' Returning to the kitchen for a third time in a bid to finally take out the crown, things were very different for Laura for the latest season, having welcomed her first child, daughter Florence, with her husband Max in April last year. She was still breastfeeding her newborn during filming, confessing to barely having slept amid motherhood and her busy MasterChef schedule. 'The two times before this it was just me there and I felt like I could really give myself to the process, but this time was definitely harder,' Laura said. 'I have an amazing support system. We had a wonderful nanny who was with me while we were filming. I was still breastfeeding literally the whole season as well. Physically, I felt like I couldn't fully commit. 'Honestly, looking back, I'm like, I was mad. What was I doing? But it's so funny, when I slept I didn't cook well at all, and then when I had like one or two hours sleep I was like, I'm on.' She mustn't have slept too well before the finale, then, with a laser-focused Laura delivering near-perfect dishes. 'I was probably the calmest I think I've ever been in that kitchen,' she said. 'And no one would believe me. When I told my friends last night, they were like, 'you're not calm, you're chaos.' But there was just weird energy that came over me. 'My brain was kind of telling my body, there's one shot at this, this is it. You've said you're not going back [as a contestant]. This is your last opportunity. You just go in there and do whatever you can to take it out.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Outrage as Channel Ten spoils MasterChef Australia: Back To Win grand finale during advert break just moments before the winner is announced
MasterChef Australia fans were left fuming after Channel Ten reportedly spoiled the Back To Win grand finale. On Tuesday night, Laura Sharrad went up against Callum Hann in a nail-biting final episode that saw two of the show's most beloved contestants duke it out over two courses. By the end of the episode, Laura emerged as the winner and walked away with a $250,000 cash prize and the title of MasterChef. However, according to watchers of the hit reality show, an ad break revealed the 2025 winner just moments before it was announced by the MasterChef judges. Fans flocked to X, formerly Twitter, fuming that the 'spoiler' ruined the big reveal. 'Channel 10 showed an ad with Laura holding the trophy halfway through the final! What a spoiler! #MasterChefAU,' one person wrote. Another pointed out: 'The ad has been shown a few weeks ago. What a spoiler.' One person took to the platform and claimed the show's editing gave away the winner, writing: 'A note to the producers of the show: it is not acceptable that we all knew how this would end from the first episode of the season. 'The bias has been blatant and that's why we cannot rejoice the way we would have had the judging and editing been fair.' Another added: 'But this was spoiled WEEKS ago with all the biased judging and edits. You really think it's a *spoiler* anymore?' MasterChef Australia: Back To Win came to a close for 2025 with a thrilling grand finale on Tuesday night, which saw Laura emerge victorious. 'This is the most surreal feeling in the whole entire world,' Laura said as she broke down over the good news. 'I'm truly so proud of myself for coming back for a third time and completely setting myself up for heartbreak,' she continued. 'And pulling off what I never thought I really could do, but I've wanted to for so long. I've dreamt of this moment since I was 13. However, according to watchers of the hit reality show , an ad break revealed the 2025 winner just moments before it was announced by the MasterChef judges 'To have my family here, watching me cook, has been the most truly special experience of my life,' Laura explained. 'I just want to thank Callum, more than anyone. Just the support that you've shown me throughout this competition both times has been so truly special. So thank you so much for everything.' There was an additional touching moment as judge Andy Allen told Laura that the spirit of late judge Jock Zonfrillo lived on through her cooking. By the end of the episode, Callum had scored 73 points while Laura's final score rang in at 74, winning by one point. Callum was awarded $10,000 for coming in second place.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MasterChef 2025 winner announced in nail-biting finale: 'So proud of myself'
This year's season of MasterChef Australia came to a dramatic end on Tuesday night with Callum Hann and Laura Sharrad going head-to-head for the title. The two finalists have had remarkably similar journeys on the show, having both finished runner-up on their original season and competed on the first 'Back To Win' in 2020. Armed with very different skill sets, the South Australian restaurateurs had to impress the judges in a two-round cook starting with an ingredient knockout challenge, followed by a pressure test set by pastry chef Michael 'Miko' Llamanzares-Aspiras. Round one saw Callum make a one-bite potato, rosemary, and oyster and receive a total of 38 points, while Laura served a samphire and potato risotto with a smoked pipi broth and also scored 38 points. For round two, they each had 4.5 hours to recreate Miko's Botanical Garden, which was an edible bouquet of flowers consisting of 149 steps. Callum was given 35 points, while Laura earned 48 points. RELATED: MasterChef's Depinder Chhibber claps back at audience criticism: 'Big variety' MasterChef's Ben Macdonald points out wild detail about this year's season MasterChef's Snezana Calic reveals unique struggle this season: 'Nervous' Who won MasterChef Australia 2025? Ultimately, Laura was crowned the 2025 champion with a total score of 80 points and was awarded $250,000. Callum received $40,000 for finishing second, and Jamie Fleming took home $10,000 for coming third. 'This is like the most surreal feeling in the whole entire world,' she said following the win. 'I'm truly so proud of myself for coming back for a third time, and completely setting myself up for heartbreak, and pulling off what I never thought I really could do, but I've wanted to for so long. 'I've dreamt of this moment since I was 13. To have my family here, to have had Florence up here today, watching me cook, has been the most truly special experience of my life.' Andy Allen's tribute to Jock Zonfrillo Laura went on to thank Callum, adding: 'Just the support that you've shown me throughout this competition both times has been so truly special. So thank you so much for everything.' Andy Allen also said that Jock Zonfrillo, who was Laura's mentor before his passing in 2023, would be incredibly proud of her. 'Laura, in this moment with you finally winning the title, it feels right to mention how proud Jock would be of you,' he remarked. 'And it's so amazing to know that he lives on through your food. So thank you.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau) Little-known fact about prize money While Laura is now a quarter of a million dollars richer following her third stint on the Channel 10 show, the money likely won't hit her account for quite some time. Season nine champion Diana Chan told Yahoo Lifestyle in 2023 that she didn't receive the eye-watering amount of cash until months after filming had wrapped. 'You don't get it instantly,' she shared. 'I don't know if I'm actually meant to mention this, but I didn't get it until like five months later.' SHOP: 🥬 Alternative to Coles, Woolworths saving shoppers up at $720 a year 🏉 Rugby fan's huge airport surprise after landing in Sydney: 'Surreal' 🛒 Popular Coles product offers a 'simple switch' to up daily protein intake Diana said it was 'a funny feeling' when the money finally arrived in her bank account and admitted she had no idea what to do with it. 'To be honest, I was making a decent amount of money doing other things that I actually put it aside and invested it,' she recalled. 'I wouldn't say I have it now anymore, this is six years down the track, but you use it on different things to start your career and whatever you want to do. The money's there, and they never say, 'You have to do this with the money'. So it's entirely up to you what you want to do.'
