Latest news with #MasterChef2025
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
MasterChef 2025 contestants - Meet the Heat 3 hopefuls
MasterChef is back uncovering the country's best amateur cooks as they battle it out in the MasterChef kitchen. Who will be the 2025 Champion? Let's meet the Heat 2 contenders... Please note this information is accurate at the time of filming; certain aspects may have since changed but this represents the contributors as the competition starts. Watch MasterChef Heat 4 on BBC iPlayer and BBC One from Wednesday 13 August at 8pm Read more: Meet the MasterChef 2025 contestants - Heat 4 GM Aileen School Admission Assistant, Aged 51 Aileen lives in Cheshire with her daughter and son. She was born and raised in Hong Kong where she's lived for most of her life. She has also lived in Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou and went to university in Canada. How would you describe your style of cooking? I would describe my style of cooking as versatile. I like to make classic Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Italian, French but I also like to twist things to make them fusion. How did you get into cooking? Earliest cooking memory? My mum and grandparents taught me to cook. I have always loved food since I was very young. It's only natural that I would want to learn to cook when I was old enough. I also learned to cook by following well known chefs - Nigella Lawson, Jaime Oliver, Martin Yan and Kylie Kwong. The first time I ever tasted a foreign cuisine was when my grandad cooked cauliflower in milk and cheese. This was a big novelty dish for me at eight years old. We didn't have many chances to taste 'Western' food at that time. My grandad worked as a chef on a cruise ship, and he introduced me to Western-style cooking. My earliest cooking memory was at eight, when I helped my grandpa and grandma to cook on their farm in Hong Kong when I spent my summer holidays there. What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why? My favourite ingredients are seafood, steak and duck, simply because I love eating them. Why did you enter MasterChef this year? I entered MasterChef because it's something I always watched growing up. There was no such competition in Hong Kong and when I moved here, I thought, 'why not'? I was new to the country and thought this is an exciting opportunity to start a second life and to do something I could only ever dream of doing before. I also really want to see if I'm really that passionate about food and see if there's a possibility to turn it into a new career path. I perform best under pressure, and I want to see how far I can reach on my creativity. Do you have a dream of working in the food world? What is it? My food dream is to run a B&B with a farm to table bespoke meal prepared by me. Hazel Home Maker, Aged 32 Hazel lives in London with her partner and daughter. She was born in London and grew up in Essex. How would you describe your style of cooking? My style of cooking definitely varies but I like to cook delicious, relatively healthy meals that don't scrimp on flavour. I like to rotate flavours from Mexican, Asian, Middle Eastern and Italian influence. Nutritious and healthy comforting food that fills your belly and gives you a hug is what I like to do. How did you get into cooking? From very young, as young as I would have been able to stand on a small step and reach the kitchen countertop, my mum would get me and my brother in the kitchen. She would have us baking bread, making biscuits and other treats. I've been cooking ever since. Being able to make something delicious when I'm craving something delicious is what I live for. Earliest cooking memory? My mum used to make a fish pie with a cornflake topping when I was very young and I remember that so vividly and how much I loved it! Then my dad would make a pasta bake dish every Friday. It was so simple, filled with olive oil, mozzarella and tomatoes but it came out with a crispy top and I just loved it. It was comfort and I've tried to recreate it ever since. I remember always making Christmas biscuits to hang on the tree, cutting out Christmas shapes and piercing a hole in the top with a pencil to thread the string. All the biscuits never made it to Christmas day; they got picked off the tree way before that! What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why? My favourite cooking ingredient is garlic! I put four cloves of garlic in everything as a minimum and I don't know if that's just become a habit, but I do love garlic. Maybe I'm even immune to garlic now I have so much of it. Why did you enter MasterChef this year? I entered MasterChef to do something for myself, to regain something that was mine, just mine! I had just had a baby, and it was coming up to a year and honestly, I was feeling very out of sorts. I wasn't sure who I was anymore, I had completely lost my flow in the kitchen and sometimes didn't even know how or what to cook so I suppose it was me trying to regain or take back a part of myself. I have watched MasterChef for years and have been cooking for so long. I've always thought I was a decent cook and when I cook for friends and family, they always enjoy it but I want to know how good I am. I want to show my baby girl that you should go for what you desire. I'd like to think I've got a really good shot so I'm going for it. Do you have a dream of working in the food world? I hadn't a food dream before MasterChef, but now I'd like to help post-partum mums heal themselves with food. I don't know what that looks like but whether it's teaching, cooking for them or sharing how I cook nutritious, family-friendly meals as a mum, that's my first port of call. Marcella Global Development Director, Aged 39 Marcella lives in Brighton. She was born and raised in West Sussex and then moved to London. How would you describe your style of cooking? Hosting for my friends and family is what inspires my food. I love a dinner party, garden party, summer party. I love most kinds of meet ups where food brings people together. My house has become the hub of our social gatherings, and this gives me the chance to try new things or just whip together some good old classic crowd pleasers. My style is definitely hearty, wholesome, flavourful. Everything has to be delicious or it's not worth having! I'm inspired by my Persian/Mauritian roots, but I love the classics too. Mexican, Italian and Asian food all have big flavours that I like to eat and cook. My technique could do with developing but I feel my flavours hit the mark. How did you get into cooking? I've been inspired to cook by my mum and her sisters. We're a large family and food is everything. Choosing a restaurant for a family birthday includes lots of sign off! But it was actually my best friend Clare who, after living with me for a few years in my early 20s and was no doubt getting sick of my microwave jacket potatoes, taught me to cook a spaghetti bolognaise from scratch and that's what got me going. Earliest cooking memory? My earliest memory is in my parents' kitchen, me sat on the worktop, and my mum letting me help her bake something. My Mum is one of five, but it's memories of her and her sisters in the kitchen, cooking Persian meals for hours, only for me and my cousins to scoff it all up in seconds, that has made me love food. I've been working on a family recipe book to make sure that our family favourites are not lost but can be handed down the generations. What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why? This is a tough question - I love it all (apart from turnips!) but probably the potato is what I like cooking with best. It sounds so basic but so versatile, delicious in every form and goes with pretty much everything. Why did you enter MasterChef this year? This was a milestone year for me… I turned 40. The last decade has been a combination of dealing with grief and pushing my career forwards at an accelerated pace. This has given me lots of amazing opportunities, but I wanted to do something that was just for me, something that propelled me out of my comfort zone and perhaps sparked something in the form of a new passion from within, but most importantly just have some fun experiencing something new! Do you have a dream of working in the food world? My dream has been to produce a family cookbook, taking favourite recipes from family and friends and combining them into one book. This would be a little bit of a hot pot of cuisines and food styles but some great tasty family go-tos. I also love the idea of creating a food show, where we would focus on a certain location (Southern Italy, the French countryside or as far-fetched as Vietnam or Mexico). We'd go into a family home and learn their family recipes, food hacks and learn about the culture behind the food we eat. Food is just a great way of bringing people from all backgrounds together, and a great way to break down cultural barriers. I would also like to produce a dinner party hosting show, something that combines the creativity of hosting a dinner party with my event management skills. I'd have trendy tablescapes, a fun twist on a drink, take a concept, and make an event out of it at home. Something to impress your friends with, that's easy to do and affordable but, impactful and fun! Sam Vocational Trainer, Aged 28 Sam lives in Swindon with his boyfriend, Danny. He was born in Thailand and moved to the UK 10 years ago. How would you describe your style of cooking? My core style of cooking is authentic Thai food. However, I sometimes love to be creative with Thai fusion, taking inspiration from the countries I've visited. How did you get into cooking? Growing up in Thailand was challenging, so I had to learn how to cook from a very young age and how to be frugal and inventive with what I had. I would often help my mum and grandma in the kitchen, and my grandmother taught me the basics in Thai cuisine and my love for cooking grew from there. Since moving to the UK, I've done all the cooking myself. Social media food videos have become my best friend. Earliest cooking memory? When I was at school, as a team of three, my mum, grandma and I won the cooking competition. But my first memory was cooking rice on an open fire. I ended up with charcoal everywhere, and all over my face, but the rice was perfect! What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why? This is a hard question! I love spicy food so my favourite ingredient would have to be chilli, closely followed by the perfect jasmine rice. There is nothing more comforting than rice. I grew up eating it every day and it's my go to. Chilli is the cornerstone of my cooking, however it be used - from a chilli dip with pineapple and unripe mango to the perfect pad-kra-pao (chicken basil). Why did you enter MasterChef this year? Before I moved to the UK, I had never seen the show before but now I absolutely love the show and have been hooked on it ever since I moved over here. Over the last five years, I kept saying to my boyfriend, I want to apply but never did. I've never had much confidence in my ability to cook and really wanted to push myself outside my comfort zone! Do you have a dream of working in the food world? I would love to have my own cookbook that celebrates Thailand and my style of cooking. Trevor Project Manager, Aged 50 Trevor lives in Kent with his wife Joanne. He was born in Sidcup and grew up in Chislehurst. How would you describe your style of cooking? My cooking style is diverse and versatile, as I enjoy experimenting with various cuisines and dishes. I have a passion for creating food that is not only delicious, but also artfully plated, with really impactful flavours. I love trying dishes from all over the world, from French cuisine to small-plate Spanish tapas, to Italian food and pizza, through to dishes from across Asia. As long as it tastes amazing, I'll cook it, add a twist here and there to give it my own spin. There's nothing I enjoy more than entertaining friends – sharing great food and good wine together makes me happy. How did you get into cooking? Earliest cooking memory? Cooking, for me, started when I was a child. My dad enjoyed entertaining and had a real interest in travel, so we were fortunate to visit some amazing destinations growing up. I remember going shopping with him on Saturday mornings when I was about nine or ten - picking up things like balsamic vinegar and saffron, which weren't everyday ingredients in our house in the early 1980s. We would come home, and I would loiter in the kitchen doorway, watching him cook dishes that were quite different from the usual meals we had during the week. Looking back, those moments sparked my curiosity about food and where ingredients came from. What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why? My favourite ingredient must be the humble tomato. It's incredibly versatile and brings so much character to a dish. Whether it's the freshness of a simple tomato salad with shallots and a vinaigrette dressing, the comfort of tinned tomatoes on toast, or its essential role in global favourites like curries, pastas, and pizzas, tomatoes are the backstage hero everywhere! They can be sweet, sharp, smoky, or soothing depending on how they're prepared, and that adaptability makes them a joy to cook with. They're a staple in my kitchen and often the starting point for creativity. On a personal note, tomatoes evoke memories of my mum's Dutch spaghetti - a family favourite that's packed with flavour and nostalgia. It's one of those meals which brings everyone together, and it's where I first saw how a simple ingredient could be transformed into something truly special. Why did you enter MasterChef this year? Having faced some serious health challenges over the last year, and having just turned 50, not only is competing on MasterChef an exciting prospect, it's also an awakening of 'if not now, when'. It all began quite casually, my friend and neighbour started the application process and encouraged me to do the same. I kept hearing, 'You should go on MasterChef' and eventually thought, 'Why not?' So I completed the application (thank you Tom!), and to my surprise and delight, I was selected. It's been an incredible journey already. Do you have a dream of working in the food world? My food dream is to carve out a space as a down-to-earth writer and critic, sharing thoughtful reviews of restaurants and hotels while celebrating the stories behind the dishes and the people who create them. The idea of hosting or appearing in cookery shows also really excites me; it would be a wonderful way to combine my love of food with storytelling and connection. I love cooking at home and would enjoy sharing my own recipes with others — whether through writing or presenting. Follow for more
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gregg Wallace to be replaced by Irish chef Anna Haugh in final episodes of MasterChef 2025 series
The new MasterChef 2025 series controversially features sacked hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode – but the final episodes will see Wallace replaced by Irish chef and restaurateur Anna Haugh. This morning (Wednesday 6 August), the first three episodes of the series launched on BBC iPlayer. The first episode will also air on BBC One this evening, with the next two following on Thursday and Friday. The Independent understands that Wallace will be replaced by Haugh towards the end of the new series, since allegations of inappropriate behaviour emerged against him during filming last November. It is understood that Wallace won't feature in the series after the semi-finals. Haugh, best known for hosting the BBC cookery show Big Irish Food Tour, has made appearances on Celebrity MasterChef in the past, and in 2022, she joined Wallace and Marcus Wareing as a judge for MasterChef: The Professionals. She appeared as a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay's US show Hell's Kitchen and as a chef on BBC's Ready Steady Cook, and often imparts her cooking wisdom on daytime shows, including Saturday Kitchen. On her Big Irish Food Tour, Haugh is accompanied by celebrity friends as they explore the history of Irish cuisine and try different recipes. Stars including TV presenter Laura Whitmore, comedian Katherine Ryan and presenter Angela Scanlon have all made appearances on the series. In May 2019, Haugh founded the modern European and Irish-influenced Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea, London. Restaurant critic and TV personality Grace Dent, meanwhile, was brought in to replace Wallace on the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, which has already been filmed. Wallace's MasterChef sacking came after an independent report substantiated 45 allegations against him, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact. He has apologised 'for any distress caused', saying the report into his misconduct cleared him of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'. His co-host Torode was also the subject of an allegation about using racist language that was upheld as part of the Lewis Silkin review, but the TV star said he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. When the BBC announced the 2025 series would be broadcast despite the controversy surrounding its hosts, a statement said it had 'not been an easy decision in the circumstances'. The BBC added that 'broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.' But the corporation said a decision had not yet been made regarding the celebrity series and the Christmas special. Six amateur chefs feature in the first heat of the current series, with both hosts appearing in the opening episode, in which Wallace says: 'Light the stoves, get yourselves a clean apron, and let's find some talent.' The pair's usual jokes appear to be considerably pared back, and there is less chatter between them and the chefs. In an interview with The Sun last month, Wallace apologised to anyone hurt by his behaviour, but insisted he is 'not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher'. He said: 'People think I'm a sex pest. I am not. I am not sexist or a misogynist, or any of it. There never were any accusations of sexual harassment.'
Scotsman
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Who is on MasterChef UK this week? Full BBC list
MasterChef has confirmed the competitors for the first two heats of 2025 👨🍳 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... MasterChef is back with a new series for 2025. The show returns despite sacking both presenters. But who are the contestants this week? A new series of MasterChef has arrived under a bit of a dark cloud. The BBC confirmed after 'careful consideration' it had decided to air the new episodes despite sacking both presenters. Last month, the Beeb made the decision to sack Gregg Wallace and John Torode after investigations into allegations made against them. The latest set of episodes were filmed prior to that and the broadcaster is going ahead with showing them. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Announcing the move, the BBC described it as not being an 'easy decision'. It means both will be on hosting duties for the upcoming episodes. But who will be competing in the first two heats this week? Here's all you need to know: Why are Gregg and John presenting MasterChef 2025? Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace | BBC Despite the BBC announcing that it had sacked both Gregg Wallace and John Torode in July, they will be appearing in the latest season of MasterChef. The duo are on hosting duties because the episodes were filmed last year prior to the allegations and investigations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A spokesperson for the Beeb added: 'After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August. MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. 'The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey. This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. 'In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. 'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The BBC has yet to make a decision on if it will air the celebrity series or the Christmas special, which was filmed earlier this year. The spokesperson added: 'We will confirm our plans later in the year.' BBC News reports that the broadcast union Bectu raised concerns about the decision to air the episodes. It said bad behaviour "should not be rewarded with prime-time coverage". Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy weighed in during an appearance on BBC Breakfast, saying that as a viewer she "certainly won't be watching it" but added that it wasn't her place to tell broadcasters what they could or couldn't show. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who is on MasterChef UK this week? The show will be back for its latest season from tonight (August 6). It will be broadcast on BBC One at 8pm with three episodes set to air each week - Wednesday to Friday. All three episodes will arrive on BBC iPlayer on Wednesdays, it has been confirmed. The amateur chefs competing in the first set of heats have been revealed. Heat 1 Chefs competing in MasterChef 2025 heat 1 | BBC Beth - 40, vocal coach Gemma - 32, head of business development Gon - 26, recruiter/ Thai boxing coach Penelope - 70, writer Shaun - 28, digital marketing manager Thea - 28, marketing coordinator Heat 2 The chefs competing in MasterChef 2025 heat 2 | BBC Charlie - 36, landscape gardener Claire - 46, copywriter Finley - 22, logistics manager/ model Gifty - 47, learning support assistant Jordan - 31, accountant Ruth - 38, nurse How many people make it to the quarter-finals? The amateur cooks who take part in the heats will be hoping to make it all the way to the quarter-finals on Friday (August 8). Just three of the chefs from each heat will make it through to the next round - with six facing the critics at the end of the week. The best chefs from the quarter-finals will make it through to the MasterChef semi-finals and will return later in the season. During the early weeks of the competition, it will follow the format of heat, heat, and then quarter-final. If you love TV, check out our Screen Babble podcast to get the latest in TV and film.
Scotsman
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Who is on MasterChef UK this week? Full BBC list
MasterChef has confirmed the competitors for the first two heats of 2025 👨🍳 Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... MasterChef is back with a new series for 2025. The show returns despite sacking both presenters. But who are the contestants this week? A new series of MasterChef has arrived under a bit of a dark cloud. The BBC confirmed after 'careful consideration' it had decided to air the new episodes despite sacking both presenters. Last month, the Beeb made the decision to sack Gregg Wallace and John Torode after investigations into allegations made against them. The latest set of episodes were filmed prior to that and the broadcaster is going ahead with showing them. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Announcing the move, the BBC described it as not being an 'easy decision'. It means both will be on hosting duties for the upcoming episodes. But who will be competing in the first two heats this week? Here's all you need to know: Why are Gregg and John presenting MasterChef 2025? Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace | BBC Despite the BBC announcing that it had sacked both Gregg Wallace and John Torode in July, they will be appearing in the latest season of MasterChef. The duo are on hosting duties because the episodes were filmed last year prior to the allegations and investigations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A spokesperson for the Beeb added: 'After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August. MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. 'The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey. This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. 'In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. 'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The BBC has yet to make a decision on if it will air the celebrity series or the Christmas special, which was filmed earlier this year. The spokesperson added: 'We will confirm our plans later in the year.' BBC News reports that the broadcast union Bectu raised concerns about the decision to air the episodes. It said bad behaviour "should not be rewarded with prime-time coverage". Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy weighed in during an appearance on BBC Breakfast, saying that as a viewer she "certainly won't be watching it" but added that it wasn't her place to tell broadcasters what they could or couldn't show. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who is on MasterChef UK this week? The show will be back for its latest season from tonight (August 6). It will be broadcast on BBC One at 8pm with three episodes set to air each week - Wednesday to Friday. All three episodes will arrive on BBC iPlayer on Wednesdays, it has been confirmed. The amateur chefs competing in the first set of heats have been revealed. Heat 1 Chefs competing in MasterChef 2025 heat 1 | BBC Beth - 40, vocal coach Gemma - 32, head of business development Gon - 26, recruiter/ Thai boxing coach Penelope - 70, writer Shaun - 28, digital marketing manager Thea - 28, marketing coordinator Heat 2 The chefs competing in MasterChef 2025 heat 2 | BBC Charlie - 36, landscape gardener Claire - 46, copywriter Finley - 22, logistics manager/ model Gifty - 47, learning support assistant Jordan - 31, accountant Ruth - 38, nurse How many people make it to the quarter-finals? The amateur cooks who take part in the heats will be hoping to make it all the way to the quarter-finals on Friday (August 8). Just three of the chefs from each heat will make it through to the next round - with six facing the critics at the end of the week. The best chefs from the quarter-finals will make it through to the MasterChef semi-finals and will return later in the season. During the early weeks of the competition, it will follow the format of heat, heat, and then quarter-final.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MasterChef fans voice major complaint about Callum Hann's return
We're only a few episodes into this year's season of MasterChef Australia, but Callum Hann has already emerged as a clear frontrunner. The South Australian chef, who finished second on season 2 and fourth on season 12, is one of 24 contestants who have returned for another shot at the title. While it's been promoted on the show that this is Callum's third time competing in the MasterChef kitchen, many fans have pointed out that this isn't exactly the case. He actually competed on and won MasterChef Australia All-Stars in 2012, raising $20,000 for his chosen charity, Cancer Council Australia. RELATED: MasterChef star breaks silence after being forced to exit the competition early MasterChef fans point out hidden detail in new promo: 'Interesting' MasterChef 2025: All the returning contestants hoping to win $250,000 prize The short-lived series aired for three weeks during the Olympics and featured several returning contestants from the first three seasons of the show, including winners Julie Goodwin and Kate Bracks. The first half of the competition saw the cast divided into teams to raise money, while they competed separately in the second half to crown 'the best of the best'. Interestingly, Callum also competed against season one runner-up Poh Ling Yeow, who is now tasting his food as a judge on MasterChef. Many fans have taken to social media following this week's premiere to question why the show has chosen to 'purposely ignore' the fact that Callum won MasterChef Australia All-Stars. 'They really seem to pretend that season doesn't exist as far as accolades go,' one person wrote, while another added, 'When they said none of them had ever won, I'd wondered if I'd dreamt the thing up'. Callum recently told Yahoo Lifestyle that even though he didn't win any prize money on the charity season, he believes his win should still be counted in the show's legacy. 'I'd like to consider it a real stint because I spent three months of my life filming it, so it certainly felt very real to me,' he remarked. 'Whilst the money you were winning for that was for charity, we were a competitive bunch. So I don't think any of the contestants there were doing a half job because they were like, 'Oh, I'm not winning any money'. I think we were all trying our hardest still.' Callum added that it felt 'pretty special' to win that season of the show because he was competing against people he loved watching on TV. 'I really admired Poh and Julie and Justine Schofield when I watched them on season one, so then to be cooking with and against those guys, it was a hell of a lot of fun,' he shared. 'And to sort of come out on top there, I think it sort of gave me the confidence to go on and keep expanding my businesses and have that 'world is my oyster' kind of attitude.' Although Callum's win on MasterChef Australia All-Stars is undisputed, some viewers have argued that it shouldn't be considered an official season of the reality show. 'While he won it, it was also for charity,' one fan commented, followed by someone else who said, 'This is the correct answer. It was not a competition, it was a fundraiser'. SHOP: ☀️ Tax laws to burn Aussies on summer essential: 'Many of us struggle' 😴 The award-winning mattress that's 'like sleeping on a cloud' 🍕 Domino's brings back 'unexpected' $7 menu item: 'Soft and fluffy' 'It wasn't really a 'season' at the same scale as what they're competing in, and thus doesn't add anything noteworthy to the narrative,' a different user replied, with another adding, 'It is treated like a spin-off, the same as Professionals and Celebrity'. MasterChef Australia has produced five spin-off series since launching in 2009: Celebrity MasterChef Australia, Junior MasterChef Australia, MasterChef Australia All-Stars, MasterChef Australia: The Professionals, and Desserts Masters.
