MasterChef Australia 2023 runner-up Rhiannon Anderson has revealed that one of her first moves post-show will be writing a cookbook in honour of her late mum who was a chef.
“Mum used to work in pubs, she worked in bistros. But she put herself through [training] to become a chef while being a single mum,” she explained in an interview with Chattr.
“There was no beating around the bush with her. It was like we knew where we stood. Before she passed away, she was like, ‘Go and chase your dreams’. So I did and now I’m here.”
Rhiannon Anderson. Ten
In fact, Rhiannon said that her mum’s love of cooking helped encourage her own interest in it.
“I just remember growing up, she would have to work nights,” she said. “So I would have to cook for the siblings because I loved it even back then. All my memories are always based around food, which is pretty funny.”
The special note hidden in a recipe book
The home cook recently stumbled across a cookbook owned by her mum with a note from her mum’s sister, revealing a hidden dream.
“I found a book when she passed away and my aunty had written a note in it. It was from when mum was 19 years old, and it said, ‘I expect to see your name in print’.
“I was like, ‘Oh my god’. So, my mum actually always wanted to do a cookbook and I didn’t even know that. So, I would love to do a cookbook and dedicate it to her,” she said.
Rhiannon and Brent with MasterChef judges. Ten.
What kind of cookbook does Rhiannon want to write?
Rhiannon said that she already has an idea in mind for the cookbook, and wants it to link culture with culinary education.
“The cookbook I want to do would be how to cook different cuisines for my kids. Like, tonight, we’re going to Mexico. Tonight, we’re going to Thailand, let’s go to Italy. I liked to make them culturally aware through food,” she explained.
“I’d love to do a cookbook with all different cuisines in it, not just one. And my mum, her first job was in a curry house, so I would definitely put some of her recipes in there,” she added.
From watching Jock Zonfrillo’s emotional tribute to seeing Brent Draper take out the winning crown, the grand final episode of MasterChef Australia 2023 was an emotional one.
However, among those tender moments was adorable Alfie, Brent’s four-year-old son whose appearance in the episode stole the show!
During an interview with Chattr following his victory, Brent revealed that he had watched the final episode with his son and his family, as well as some of his MasterChef mates.
“I had a few mates from Season 13 and a few mates from Season 15 and the family, little Alfie,” he said.
“It was a very, very special moment. All he cares about is the trophy and when I lifted the trophy, he got little tears in his eyes. So it was a good moment.”
Brent and Alfie. Ten
Alfie enjoyed watching the finale with his dad
Brent admitted that throughout the season, Alfie was allowed to watch some of the episodes; however, his bedtime was always before the eliminations took place.
“He’s been allowed to sort of watch the season up until… Look, he can get away with quarter past eight, and then he’s got to hit the sack,” he said.
“So, he says he never really sees the end result of anything. Last night was a different story. He was allowed to obviously watch until the end and I think he was still partying and dancing around at about quarter past twelve, so he’s probably still asleep now.
“That was a big night for the little fella. He was having a good time!” he laughed.
Brent, Alfie and Shonleigh. Ten
Brent cooked off against Rhiannon Anderson during the over two challenges, winning the competition with a score of 63/70 versus Rhiannon’s 52/70.
However, it was having his family up in the gantry that meant everything to him.
“I always love to cook with emotion and having the family there was one of the reasons why the cook went so well,” he revealed.
Not only did he win, but he also pocketed a cool $250,000 in prize money, cash that he will use to start a cookbook inspired by his battle with mental health.
The MasterChefAustralia 2023 Grand Final was an emotional episode, as it was the final one that Jock Zonfrillo filmed before his sudden death on April 30.
“Food’s been my entire life,” Jock can be heard saying over the montage. “The most important thing to me is giving back in the kitchen.”
The sequence wrapped up with Jock saying: “For the last time, go home, make yourselves a cup of tea, put your feet up and be kind to each other, we’ll see you back here tomorrow”.
The tribute then showed a photo of the MasterChef cast and crew which was captioned with his famous saying, “Give it up for Jock Zonfrillo”.
What did Jock’s widow say about the episode?
Lauren Fried, The widow of the late MasterChefAustralia judge, shared a heartbreaking message on Instagram just hours before the cooking show’s grand finale aired.
Fried revealed that she and the children she shares with the late chef haven’t been emotionally ready to watch him during his final season of MasterChef.
“As a family, we’re going to try to watch it,” she explained. “We haven’t been able to watch this season just yet, something we will do, but we felt that tonight was an important one to watch.”
Lauren Fried. Instagram.
“Like most families, there are moments across the year that are special, and we used to really enjoy watching the finale together. It was something Jock was really proud of, it was a job he really loved doing, so we’ve decided we’re going to honour that and keep doing what we would normally do and watch the finale together.”
Fried added that while Zonfrillo may be gone, she plans on keeping his memory alive by sharing parts of his life with fans.
“So I just wanted to get on here and say, yes it is sad, but this is something he loved doing and this is not the end of the line for Jock at all. We have so many wonderful recipes of Jock having fun, of travel, of family stuff that I would love to share with everyone and it’s very much a way I can find meaning through all of this.”
It’s episode five of Dancing with the Stars Australia 2023 and three celebs have twirled their way straight through to the Grand Finale while Mary Coustas’ Effie makes an appearance!
During the episode, Emily Weir, Coustas, PauliniCurunevali, Gavin Wanganeen, James Magnussen and Issa Schultz performed, vying for a spot in the final episode.
Paulini kicked off the show with a Prom-inspired jive with the judges unanimously voting her through to the Finale.
James’ inspirational Viennese Waltz was next and was filled with jaw-dropping lifts.
Issa performed a Paso Doble, with the fan favourite bringing the house down! Unfortunately, Todd McKenney thought it was “humourous” and “cute”. Which no one wants to hear during a Paso!
Then, Home and Away star Emily took to the floor for an energetic Quickstep, proving there’s not one dance she can’t do!
Performing as her alter-ego Effie, Mary’ stole the show with a passionate Paso Doble.
And, overcoming a back injury, Gavin danced an inspiring Rumba.
The Verdict
With the judges and audience votes combined, Gavin, Issa and James were eliminated while Emily, Mary and Paulini were sent through to the Grand Finale.
The final leaderboard for the night:
Emily Weir and Lyu Masuda – 35
Mary Coustas and Aric Yegudkin – 34
James Magnussen and Natalie Lowe – 26
Paulini and Igor Ifliand – 25
Issa Shultz and Lily Cornish – 22
Gavin Wanganeen and Megan Wragg – 18
Watch Dancing with the Stars Australia 2023 continues on Monday, July 17 at 7.30pm on 7 and 7Plus.
It’s episode 50 and the Grand Finale of MasterChef Australia 2023 and the winner has finally been crowned!
Over 49 episodes, the two finalists, Brent Draperand Rhiannon Anderson, have conquered every challenge imaginable, facing off against professionals and being inspired by culinary legends as they have learnt and grown as cooks.
Brent’s son Alfie (who said he missed Mcdonald’s over his dad’s cooking), his wife Shonleigh and his mum and dad, Mandy and David, were on hand to cheer him on.
Alfie and Brent. Ten
Rhianno’s husband Deano, daughter Monique and two step-kids were also introduced.
Rhiannon and her family. Ten
However, before we got to which contestant walked away with the grand prize, here’s what happened during the MasterChef Australia 2023 Grand Final, which saw the final decider fought across two rounds.
The Challenges
In round one, judges AndyAllen, Melissa Leong, and JockZonfrillo (in his final episode before his passing) each presented a challenge to the finalists. A mystery box, a secret challenge, or an ingredient. Both Rhiannon and Brent had the power to remove one challenge, ultimately leaving them with a single task.
In round two, the finalists had to face a final Pressure Test challenge to recreate an intricate dish set by global superstar guest chef, Amaury Guichon, who joined the MasterChef kitchen for the very first time.
The cook who amassed the most points scored across the two rounds won the coveted trophy, claiming $250,000 in prize money and the title of MasterChef Australia winner, 2023!
Andy Allen, Rhiannon Anderson, Jock Zonfrillo, Brent Draper, Melissa Leong and the coveted MasterChef Australia 2023 trophy. Ten
Round One
Brent decided to get rid of Jock’s secret ingredient which turned out to be green ants and Rhiannon chose to turn down Andy’s Mystery Box. This meant they would be cooking Mel’s secret challenge – a dish that tells a story.
“A dish that tastes good is one thing, but a meaningful dish is even better,” Mel said.
With 75 minutes on the clock and 30 points on offer, it was time to cook!
Rhiannon decided to honour her mum and her growth in the competition. Choosing to cook a Crispy Pork Belly with Asian Style Caramel, something that represented both time spent with her late mother and how far she’d come.
Rhiannon. Ten
Brent decided to tell his story about re-joining the competition after leaving due to mental health reasons during his first season. He decided to reimagine his first dish in the 2023 competition and began cooking a Tamarind Glazed Pork Chop.
Brent. Ten
With no hiccups, apart from the judge’s concern over Rhiannon cooking the pork belly in the fryer. It was time for judging.
But before that, there was this:
Declan and Alfie. Ten
Brent’s dish was the first to be tasted. He cooked a Pork Chop with Tamarind Ketchup Glaze, Roasted Cabbage and Salsa.
Jock said he was “buying the story for a whole host of reasons” saying that he knew “exactly where you were” in the past and how far he’d come. He called it “blindingly perfect” and Mel called the pork “sweet and succulent” and the sauce had depth. Meanwhile, Andy gave him a round of applause.
Brent’s dish. Ten
Next up was Rhiannon with her Crispy Pork Belly, Citrus Caramel, Fennel and Orange Salad and Crispy Shallots.
Andy commended her for bringing the best-looking plate she’d ever delivered and said it was cooked really nicely and the sauce was “really interesting”. His only negative was that there wasn’t enough sauce.
Mel said the story she told was “one of the tropics” and the sauce “sung of sunshine”, but “most importantly it was a dish of love.”
Jock then said Rhiannon’s mum Sue “is very proud”, just as they were and said it was “very smart”.
Rhiannon’s dish. Ten
Round One — Points
Rhiannon
Jock – 8/10
Andy – 9/10
Mel – 8/10
Total: 25/30
Brent
Jock – 10/10
Andy – 10/10
Mel – 9/10
Total: 29/30
Round Two – The Cook
Brent and Rhiannon’s last cook in the kitchen was set by Chef Amaury, who set them one of his most difficult creations ever.
“Have you gone easy on them?” Jock asked, to which Chef Amaury said: “No”.
It was a Pocket Watch made of dessert and just look at this thing!
Amaury’s Pocket Watch. Ten
“I hope we don’t have to make that,” Rhiannon said. Spoiler alert! They did indeed have to make that.
The dessert was all about coffee and chocolate. It was composed of sugar work and chocolate work with a double choc chip cookie entremet, a chocolate hazelnut financier, chocolate cremeaux plus a chocolate mousse and chocolate glaze. But the hardest part? A sugar dome.
Amaury’s Pocket Watch. Ten
Brent and Rhiannon had five hours and 45 minutes to complete the cook with a total possible score of forty at the end of the challenge.
Brent was concerned that he wasn’t a dessert guy and that he hadn’t been in a Pressure Test before; hitting the first hurdle with his caramel which seized during the cook. However, he managed to save it.
Brent’s caramel. Ten
Then, Rhiannon struggled with her mousse, pouring extra cream in and with three hours on the clock, she had to… you guessed it! “MOTOR!”
While Amaury said tempering chocolate was a “quick job” (lol), Rhiannon found it a little difficult but managed to complete the task; with Brent powering through making a glossy glaze. He also managed to get through the “scary dip”, sticking a knife into the dessert and dipping it into the sauce.
Rhiannon on the other hand, poured the wrong sauce on the top of hers, with the gantry freaking out…
Rhiannon’s family and Rhiannon. Ten
Amaury then told her how to fix her error, telling her to double dip which wasn’t what the recipe ordered. She then managed to de-mould the chocolate crown without any issues.
While Rhiannon began on her sugar work, she seemed to be creating a faultless bubble…until it cracked. The stress!! While she had to start over, Brent pulled out the perfect dome.
Rhiannon, feeling deflated, struggled once again, not sure how to proceed.
“I need Rhiannon back right now,” Jock told her. “This is the Grand Finale…chirpy Rhiannon. Let’s go!”
And do you know what? It worked. She pulled out a gorgeous and clear dome.
Rhiannon. Ten
Brent; however, hit a roadblock. He overheated his sugar and it deflated. Unfortunately, with 30 minutes on the clock, he didn’t have time to create another one. He was also concerned about some of his chocolate work.
With 15 minutes left, Rhiannon was ready to assemble the clock face, realising she had a crack in her entremet, but her sugar dome looked fabu!
Brent’s sugar dome was a little disjointed and he once again became worried he’d really “stuffed it up” and was “devastated”.
Brent. Ten
“You can do it, dad!” Alfie called from the gantry as Brent realised his mistake and went to fix it.
Finally, their last cook for MasterChef Australia 2023 was over.
Round Two – The Judging
Rhiannon was stoked; however, Brent was overcome with emotion.
First up to the judges was Brent who spoke about his journey. While his sugar dome didn’t impress, it did snap, which they liked.
Amaury said overall Brent did a great job and the flavour was close to his, calling it “sexy”. Jock said he came away with a dish that ate really well and he couldn’t be prouder.
Mel said the “theatre” was great and Andy said the “construction” is what made it.
Brent’s dish. Ten
Rhiannon was up next, delivering her Pocket Watch to the four awaiting judges.
They said that it looked more “vintage” than Amaury’s, which was hilarious and very diplomatic.
Amaury said the texture was “all over the place” with Andy saying the biggest mistake was the chocolate dip before the glaze. Amaury then said the flavour was good and it was “still a win”.
Jock agreed, saying everything was all there and the flavour was within “10%” of Amaury’s while Mel also noted that the texture made it lose its “joy”.
Rhiannon’s dish. Ten
Round Two — Scoring
Rhiannon
Jock – 8/10
Andy – 7/10
Mel – 6/10
Amaury – 6/10
Total: 27/40
Overall: 52/70
Brent
Jock – 9/10
Andy – 8/10
Mel – 8/10
Amaury – 9/10
Total: 34/40
Overall: 63/70
The WINNER of MasterChef Australia 2023 is crowned!
After an incredible cook, it was time to announce the winner. As expected, Brent was named the victor with a grand total of 63 out of 70.
He won $250k, while Rhiannon walked away with $40k and our boy Declan Cleary was given $10k as the third-place holder.
Congratulations to Brent Draper, winner of MasterChef Australia 2023!
Winner of MasterChef Australia 2023, Brent. Ten
The season ended with the most stunning tribute to Jock Zonfrillo, sharing his mentorship, his cheeky nature and of course, his love of food.
Ending with, “Give it up for Jock Zonfrillo”, it was an emotional yet beautiful end to the season.
Ten
Author’s note: Chattr would also like to acknowledge Judge Jock Zonfrillo and his incredible MasterChef Australia legacy. He was an effervescent talent that will be greatly missed by fans across the country.
Stream all episodes of MasterChef Australia 2023 on 10Play.
Hunted Australia 2023 sees 18 regular(ish) Australians play an extreme game of hide and seek with some of the world’s most accomplished covert operations experts.
The premise of the reality show is that Fugitives must evade the Hunters for a total of 21 days. But where exactly can they go?
Well, the show is set in Victoria, and the Fugitives are allowed to hide absolutely anywhere within the state but must not cross the borderline.
Hunted. Ten.
Season one of the hit reality show was actually launched as a joint initiative with the tourism board, Visit Victoria and it will be the location of season two.
“We’re all about doing things differently at Visit Victoria, so as soon as we heard the premise of this new series, we wanted to put our stamp on it.” Visit Victoria chief marketing officer Shae Keenan toldThe Drum in 2022.
Marty Benson, The Content Director of Endemol Shine which is the company that produces Hunted, also said the partnership was a “perfect match”.
“Hunted feels right at home in Victoria, nestled amongst a packed calendar of world-class events. Whether it’s the AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup or Australian Open – we’re all about action thrillers that bring people to the edge of their seats, and we’re tipping this series will do just that.”
“The series sees fugitives traverse the state’s varied landscape trying to evade capture, and destinations quickly become strategic choices. Whether going bush, escaping to the coast or hiding in plain sight in the bustling CBD, the chance to explore Victoria’s unique offerings provided significant appeal in making Hunted here.”
Who are the Fugitives on Hunted?
Hunted. Ten.
This year’s fugitives look to give the Hunters a run for their money, as there are multiple ex-military personnel, IT pros, and a professional boxer among them.
Throughout MasterChef Australia 2023, Brent Draper has proved that he has a phenomenal range when it comes to his dishes.
The home cook has whipped up everything from an exotic Sri Lankan-Inspired Charred Squid to a carnivalesque Dagwood Dory.
Of course, between team challenges and multiple immunities, Brent hasn’t cooked solo in every single episode. However, he’s racked up a massive number of individual creations.
MasterChef. Ten.
Ahead of the finale, we’ve taken a trip down memory lane to look at every solo dish that Brent’s cooked in the MasterChef 2023 competition.
Fan favourite MasterChef Australia 2023 contestant, Declan Cleary, has reflected on the close bond he shared with late judge Jock Zonfrillo.
During an interview with Chattr after his elimination, Declan said that he forged a strong relationship with all the judges, but felt that he and Jock’s friendship was built on their similarities.
“They [the judges] definitely left their mark on me, especially Jock,” he said. “I think we both kicked it off [got along] because we’re just both a little bit cheeky and we both just had fun with it.”
Jock and Declan. MasterChef.
Declan explained that the further he went in the competition, the more he got to know Jock, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.
“The support throughout the whole series was awesome. I think when you’ve got 18 contestants, it’s a bit hard to stand out,” he said.
“It was so lovely. Getting down to the top three, you did build a bit more of a personable relationship with the judges so you could just talk to them in ways you probably wouldn’t have that opportunity when there were 18 of you.”
Declan and Robbie Cooper’s “special” bond
It’s no secret that Declan and Robbie Cooper formed a close bond early on in the competition.
In fact, during Declan’s elimination, Robbie shed some tears when the judges asked him about their friendship.
“As we saw Robbie was lost for words last night and I was pretty lost for words myself so the emotions continued throughout the night,” Declan reflected.
“Robbie’s just a bloody legend and I feel like it was so nice to have someone like him. It was too short, his time on the show. We really made the most of our friendship,” he said.
Robbie and Declan. MasterChef.
Declan also revealed that he and Robbie had actually met at the MasterChef auditions, and asked to be roomed together during the competition.
“We roomed up in the interconnecting rooms from that first day,” he said. “We’d have a massive day and, and just want to have a cup of tea or beer and hang out and then I’d go hit the hay and Robbie would help himself into my room.
“He walked in one time when I was getting out of the shower, and I’m like ‘Mate leave me alone’,” he laughed.
The MasterChef Australia Grand Finale airs Sunday, July 16 at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
The Superbowl of cooking reality shows is upon us and the event will see Rhiannon Anderson and Brent Draper go head to head in the MasterChef Australia 2023 Grand Final.
With so much hype surrounding the very important episode, it’s vital that fans do their due diligence in the lead-up so that they don’t miss a single second of the action. This includes (but is not limited to) cancelling all social plans this Sunday, ensuring that they’re not *too* hungover from Saturday night festivities and, of course, stocking up on some delicious snacks.
Here’s everything you need to know about the MasterChef Australia 2023 Grand Final so that you can firm up your plans ahead of time and kick back and relax during the episode.
Rhiannon and Brent. MasterChef.
When is the MasterChef final?
The MasterChef finale airs at 7:30pm on July 16 on Channel 10 and 10Play. It will run for two hours.
Who’s in the MasterChef finale?
Each week, judges have eliminated Home Cooks and whittled down the contestants from 18 to just two. Those hopefuls heading into the MasterChef finale are Rhiannon and Brent.
What is the final challenge?
The final challenge is a bit of a mash-up of the regular MasterChef tasks and has two separate segments.
In the first round, hosts Andy Allen, Jock Zonfrillo and Melissa Leong each present a challenge to the finalists in the form of a mystery box, a secret challenge, or an ingredient.
Brent and Rhiannon will have the power to remove one challenge, leaving them with a single task.
In the second round, the two finalists must recreate a dish that’s set by internationally acclaimed pastry and chocolate chef Amaury Guichon.
Amaury Guichon. Instagram.
What is the winning prize?
The Home Cook who scores the most points over the two rounds will be crowned the MasterChef Australia 2023 winner and receive $250,000 in prize money.
The MasterChef Australia Grand Finale airs Sunday, July 16 at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
It’s episode 49 of MasterChef Australia 2023 and it was a Semi-Final for the ages!
During the episode, Brent, Declan and Rhiannon were given a challenge that would test even the most seasoned professional chef with each contestant having to serve 20 diners and the judges, an entrée, main and dessert a.k.a almost 70 plates on their own!
With the backing of the season’s former contestants, chef Shannon Bennett was also on hand to mentor the competing cooks.
While Rhiannon and Declan had four hours to prep, Brent was able to use the additional 30 minutes that he had won during the Curtis Stone cook-along.
The semi-finalists. Ten
Brent’s Cook and the judging
Brent started strong with a menu that perfectly showcased his cooking style.
His entrée was Charred Octopus, XO sauce and Pickled Daikon, which the judges agreed was perfectly executed.
Brent’s entree. Ten
For his main, Brent made Pork belly, topped with a Savoury Pork Sauce and Charred Salsa. Even though Shannon was concerned about how he was going to cook it, Brent proved him wrong with a dish that had the judges licking their lips!
Brent’s main. Ten
For his dessert, Brent kept it simple, creating a Toasted Coconut Ice Cream with Pickled Mango and Tapioca Pearls. The judges were pleased overall; however, thought it was a little too sweet.
Brent’s dessert. Ten
Rhiannon’s cook and the judging
For her entree, Rhiannon created Betel Leaf Scallop, Thai Green Gel and Bitter Melon, cooking the seafood to order for each plate to ensure warm scallops. The judges were impressed and praised her beautiful presentation and execution.
Rhiannon’s entree. Ten
Her Massaman Style Beef Short Rib dish for her main; however, wasn’t as strong as she struggled with her first potato concept and then created a sauce that was over-spiced. The judges did like the tender ribs and crispy potato pivot.
Rhiannon’s main. Ten
Then, it was time for dessert. Rhiannon produced a Lemongrass Panna Cotta with Tropical Fruit and Finger Lime Syrup. Her Panna Cotta had the “perfect wobble” and the judges were impressed by the flavour of the dish.
Rhiannon’s dessert. Ten
Declan’s cook and the judging
When Declan revealed his ambitious menu, the judges were concerned. His entree — an Elevated take on prawn toast, with Caviar topped Scampi was ultimately disappointing given the overwhelming aromats in the scampi mix.
Declan’s entree. Ten
For his main, Declan opted for Blue-Eye Trevalla with Green Curry, Steamed Rice and Thai Eggplant. Like Rhiannon, he cooked his fish to order with crispy skin and wowed the judges with his perfectly cooked fish. However, his curry was overcooked and lacked vibrancy.
Declan’s main. Ten
Declan then showed off his choux-pastry skills making Choux Buns with a Pandan Coconut Crème Pâtissier, Charred Pineapple and Tamarind Caramel.
The judges commended his effort and agreed his choux was perfect but his custard was undercooked.
The Verdict
While Rhiannon delivered the best entrée and Brent the best main, Declan’s dessert failed to completely impress, the only thing that would save his spot. While his choux was “10/10”, his custard was undercooked and chalky and his fate was sealed.
Declan became the final contestant eliminated from the competition before the July 16 Grand Final.
After the verdict had been announced, the Judges called Robbie (the oldest cook in the season) over, who said he was proud of his mate whom he’d formed a special bond with. Like a proud dad, he had tears in his eyes and struggled through a little speech praising the youngest cook in the competition.
Robbie and Declan. Ten
“Declan is his name and fish is his game!” Judge Mel Leong said to applause.
Bye, Declan. We love you!
MasterChef Australia airs Sunday – Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
MasterChef Australia is one the country’s most successful reality shows thanks to its perfect blend of wholesome cooking, culinary expertise, and kitchen drama. While we wish they could forever, sadly, contestants are sent home one by one.
Judges Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen and Melissa “Mel” Leong, alongside some mega guest stars including Jamie Oliver, Sergio Perera, Eddie Stewart, and Curtis Stone, put the home chefs to the test with the infamous Mystery Boxes, Pressure Tests, Service Challenges and more.
With 18 hopefuls battling out, the last one standing will be crowned the winner and will walk away with not only the MC plate but a grand prize of $250,000 smackeroos!
Scroll through to see who has been eliminated from MasterChefAustralia 2023 so far.
July 13 – Elimination 16
Declan Cleary
July 11 – Elimination 15
Declan. MasterChef.
Theo Loizou
Theo. Masterchef.
July 9 – Elimination 14
Cath Collins
Cath. Masterchef.
July 2 – Elimination 13
Malissa Fedele
Malissa. Masterchef.
June 27 — Elimination 12
Rue Mupedzi
Rue. Masterchef.
June 25 – Elimintation 11
Adi Nevgi
Adi. Masterchef.
June 20 – Elimination 10
Ralph Kahango
Ralph. Masterchef.
June 18 – Elimination Nine
Antonio Cruz Vaamonde
Antionio. Masterchef.
June 13 – Elimination Eight
Grace Jupp
Grace. Masterchef.
June 11 – Emilination Seven
Phil. Masterchef.
Phil Conway
June 4 – Elimination Six
Robbie Cooper
Robbie. Masterchef.
May 30 – Elimination Five
Alice Han
Alice. Masterchef.
May 28 – Elimination Four
Amy Tanner
Amy. Masterchef.
May 21 – Elimination Three
Jessica Perri
Jessica. Masterchef.
May 16 – Elimination Two
Larissa Sewell
Larissa. Masterchef.
May 14 – Elimination One
Andrea Puglisi
Andrea. Mastechef.
More as it happens.
MasterChef Australia 2023 airs Sunday To Thursday at 7:30pm on 10 and 10 Play.
The Fugitives evading the Hunters in Hunted 2023 have come prepared, but they’ll have to work very hard to outrun the experienced bigwigs who are after them.
Nine pairs of Aussies are tasked with the mission of hiding from the Hunters for 21 days, and if they can do just that, they’ll win the game. However, the Hunters are made up of some of the world’s best investigators formerly from the AFP, ADF, British Intelligence, special ops and private security.
Meet the four main Hunters from Hunted Australia 2023 below:
Dr David Craig – Chief
Hunted. Ten.
Chief David Craig is an experienced Australian law enforcement veteran with an impressive track record. He led high-profile investigations, including the manhunt for Dr. Azhari, Southeast Asia’s most wanted terrorist involved in the 2005 Bali bombings.
David also provided personal protection for three Australian Prime Ministers and served in various countries and environments.
He holds a doctorate in law and has trained with international undercover programs like the FBI and Scotland Yard. As an author, David has written books on undercover operations, including Lie Catcher and Unlocking Secrets and Defeating Terror.
In 2013, he retired from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and now runs his own covert operations consultancy. Dr. David Craig is the perfect leader for Hunted’s elite team of Hunters in their mission to apprehend 20 Fugitives in 21 days.
Ben Owen – Deputy, Intelligence
Hunted. Ten.
Ben Owen, a former British Intelligence Officer, is a renowned expert in surveillance and covert operations. With an accomplished career spanning over a decade, Ben has gathered intelligence for high-profile manhunts in recent British history.
Prior to his intelligence career, Ben served as a sniper in the British military and was deployed worldwide, including the Gulf War II at the age of 19. After transitioning to the private sector, Ben’s covert intelligence work played a crucial role in ensuring safety.
Joining the Hunted UK team since its inception in 2015, Ben’s unmatched understanding of fugitives and effective tracking tactics led him to serve as both Deputy Chief and Chief of the award-winning UK series. In addition, Ben also served as the UK Chief for Hunted‘s third Celebrity series and as a Senior Analyst for the American version of the show in 2017.
Currently, Ben focuses on cyber security and digital intelligence, providing guidance to global organizations on cyber safety and necessary protections in an increasingly volatile digital landscape. With years of experience in high-pressure environments, Ben remains composed under pressure and brings a laser focus to the Hunted investigation.
Dr Karla Lopez – Forensic Psychologist
Hunted. Ten.
Dr. Karla Lopez, a forensic psychology expert with over 20 years of experience, joins the Hunted HQ team. She uses her forensic mindset to delve into the minds of the Fugitives, predicting their moves in the race to catch them.
With expertise in risk assessment and behavioural analysis, Karla has worked in various correctional, community health, prison, and policing roles.
She is also passionate about mentoring leaders from diverse backgrounds. Karla’s unique insights will guide the investigation into the minds of the Fugitives, leading it in new directions.
Reece Dewar OAM – Deputy, Operations
Hunted. Ten.
Reece Dewar, the Deputy Operations for Hunted, brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished 30-year career.
He served in the Australian Defence Force for 23 years, including 12 years in the Special Operations Command. Reece has been decorated with the Chief of the Defence Force Commendation, the Chief of Army Commendation, and the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his services to the Special Operations Community.
After retiring, he advised the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government for seven years in Special Operations. Reece has extensive experience in counter terrorism, offshore recovery operations, reconnaissance, and surveillance.
Currently, he owns and operates a private security consultancy company, specializing in high-risk environments. Reece skillfully leads and deploys the Ground Hunter teams to apprehend the Fugitives.
Hunted Australia 2023 airs at 7.30pm on Sunday and Monday on 10 and 10Play.
MasterChef Australia will not only see the return of judges the Melissa Leong, Andy Allen and the late Jock Zonfrillo, but also 2021 contestant Brent Draper who left his season to look after his mental health.
Now, in an interview with Chattr before the series premiere and before the devastating passing of Zonfrillo, Leong and Allen reflected on what his return to the show really means.
“It’s a really wonderful platform to be able to be real, to tell the stories of who we are,” Leong said.
“Every human on this planet has their own unique set of experiences. For Brent to be brave enough to have put his hand up in his season and say, ‘Look, this is not where I need to be right now, I need to prioritise my health, my wellness, my family, and get good with who I am.’”
Brent Draper. MasterChef. 10.
Brent Draper’s story “normalises conversations” about mental health
Almost two years after his exit, Leong revealed that Draper, a dad-of-one, has come back “firing on all cylinders” and was “thoroughly comfortable with the work that he has put into himself.”
“It’s a real testament to who he is, but also to the commonality that we all share, which is that we all struggle. We’ve all had times in our lives that we have not felt our finest and isn’t it a great thing to normalise conversations about how we should prioritise? Getting good with who we are and that way we can thrive in the best possible way.”
Meanwhile, Allen said that Draper’s return was a good opportunity to personally “check” himself.
“He’s super inspirational,” Allen said. “And to the point that like, I don’t really struggle with mental health, so to speak… I lead a lovely life. I don’t struggle with mental health, but there’s having that self awareness and just being able to go, ‘I could be doing better in this area,’ whether it be being a brother, being a son, being a husband.
Brent alongside some of his former cast-mates. 10.
“There’s always things, that you mightn’t be deep in the darkness, but you can always be better. And I think that it was really touching for me because immediately I was checking myself and I think that not just every male but every every human out there. It just doesn’t hurt to give yourself check.”
Leong added: “Normalising conversations that maybe in generations past haven’t been at the forefront, I think, is a wonderful thing. Being real with each other is is something that I take great pride in. Like Andy said, I think he hit the the nail on the head. There is self awareness in knowing how you navigate the world, but also being aware of how other people are navigating the world and where they are in their own experience of becoming aware of how they’re going through life.”
Andy Allen and Brent. 10.
What happened to Brent during MasterChef Australia 2021?
After a combination of the pressures of the show and the separation from his family, the experience had left him in a dark place.
“I’ve just got nothing left,” he told host Zonfrillo.
By the end of the episode, he had quit the competition, leaving his fellow contestants and the judges in tears and a LifeLine message had been displayed across the screen.
In an interview with The Guardian at the time, Draper said that he “was really struggling mentally and physically” in the last few weeks of the competition.
“I was struggling to sleep and having a lot of panic attacks during the night. It really started to show; even though I was trying my hardest to mask it, those around me knew I wasn’t OK.
Brent. 10.
“My best support came from my fellow contestants, the judges and, most of all, my wife.”
By the time publicity had begun for the series, Draper admitted he was in a better place.
“I’m stoked to say I’m feeling like I’m back on track and through the thick of it,” he said over email. “I’ve spent the last couple of months seeing a psychologist, my doctor, and doing the things I love that ground me like surfing, spending time with [wife] Shonleigh and [son] Alfie, cooking and eating food with my mates.”
Ben’s emotional post to mark Mental Health Week
On June 20, 2021, Draper took to Instagram to share an emotional post.
“With the last day of Men’s Mental Health Week wrapping up I wanted to share two photos to show that sometimes what’s visible on the outside isn’t always representing what’s happening on the inside!”
“These photos were taken the same day – one by the MasterChef photographer and the other by my wife. My wife took screen shots all the way through my journey without me knowing, to show me when I got home the good times and the tough times. This is a lesson for every one of us to really check in on our mates because we never know what’s going on behind closed doors!”
If you or someone you know is in distress and needs more information, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
MasterChef Australia airs Sunday – Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
There are a few secret weapons amongst this year’s The Block cast; one Blockhead is a builder while another is an architect.
The five pairs of contestants are all couples except for one, which is the sister duo of Eliza and Liberty.
The teams of contestants will go head to head as they renovate an old house, room by room, and the judges will decide which is superior at the room reveal. The contestants who impress the judges the most each week will receive extra money in their budget, allowing them to make more extensive renovations.
However, the final winner will be decided on auction day. All of the houses will have a reserve set, and the couple who’s house sells for the most wins and gets to get the amount over reserve that the house sold. Plus, the winners will receive an extra $100,000 cash prize.
Meet the cast of The Block 2023:
Steph and Gian
Architect Steph (27) and start-up worker Gian (27) are a couple from NSW.
Leah and Ash
First aid officer Leah (32) and builder Ash (38) are parents from QLD.
Eliza and Liberty
Personal assistant Eliza (37) and integration producer Liberty (34) are sisters from VIC.
Kristy and Brett
Project manager Kristy (34) and safety officer Brett (34) are a couple from SA.
Kyle and Leslie
Firefighter Kyle (36) and teaching aide Leslie (34) are parents from WA.
What’s the theme this year?
The contestants are revamping five houses from the 1950s on the aptly named Charming Street in Hampton East, Victoria. Each week the judges will evaluate their rooms, and the pair with the house that sells for the most at the auction will win the competition.
The Block season 19 will premiere in 2023 on Channel Nine and 9Now.
It’s episode 48 of MasterChef Australia 2023 and Curtis Stone has returned to lead the top three in making a Scotch Fillet with Red Wine Sauce, Pomme Purée, and Roasted Bone Marrow.
The catch is that Curtis will be working at top speed, and Declan, Brent, and Rhiannon must keep up with him. If they don’t, they won’t know how to cook the dish. Plus, after the acclaimed chef finishes his cook, the contestants will only have an additional ten seconds to finish theirs.
MasterChef. Ten.
The winner’s dish will have to look and taste like Curtis’s, and that chosen cook wins the massive advantage of having an extra thirty minutes in the semi-final cook-off.
The Cook
For the first step, Curtis guided the three contenders as he cut and deboned his own rib eye from a huge scotch fillet. Declan was a bit knife happy and ended up removing too much fat from his. However, Curtis was impressed with Rhiannon and Brent’s cuts.
MasterChef. Ten.
Despite his haphazard start, Declan was leading the charge and managed to keep up with Curtis’s rapid paste. However, things start to go wrong for the Carpenter when he realised the buttermilk for his Pomme Puree was a completely different consistency to Curtis’s. Upon the Michelin-starred chef’s recommendations, Declan started his buttermilk again from scratch, which cost him a significant amount of time.
Meanwhile, Rhiannon fell quite far behind at the beginning of the cook but managed to catch up to Curtis about halfway through. Brent kept a close pace with the chef, and headed over to his bench multiple times to make sure that his ingredients and dishes were matching up.
The judging
The task was for the Home Cooks’ dish to taste and look as similar to Curtis’s as possible. So, naturally, they tasted his dish first to have it as a benchmark.
Curtis’s dish. MasterChef.
First up for judgment was Rhiannon’s dish. Melissa Leong said that the marrow was “very healthy” looking and Andy Allen commented that the onion jam was “really nicely done”. However, Curtis said that “sadly, the mash was a little grainy” and the dish was underseasoned.
Rhiannon’s dish. MasterChef.
Declan was next, and Andy Allen commended his choice to re-do the buttermilk but said the onions were a little raw and that too much fat was cut off the steak during the butchering.
Jock Zonfrillo agreed but said that the steak and bone marrow was cooked “really well”.
Declan’s dish. MasterChef.
Brent was last to the judges’ bench and Curtis said “All in all, Brent’s done a good job.”
Meanwhile, Jock “couldn’t agree more” with Curtis, adding that the sauce was beautifully emulsified and said the highlight was the steak.
Brent’s dish. MasterChef.
The Verdict
The judges all agreed that Brent’s dish was the closest in presentation and taste to Curtis’s, and crowned him the winner of the task – and the advantage.
MasterChef Australia airs Sunday – Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
It’s episode five of Rush Australia 2023 and the Travellers have been dropped in Thailand, but first some updates on the cast.
After disappearing from episode four due to personal reasons, Team Gold’s CK is back, joining Lola in a race to the Escape Zone; however, in a turn of events, Tommy from Team Navy has had to leave the competition (also due to personal reasons), flying back to Australia to be with his family.
As the remaining contestants remove their sensory deprivation gear, they are met with flashing lights and the electro beats of Bangkok’s party central – Khaosan Road.
Nine
After a little boogie to get into the spirit of the atmosphere, the teams receive a message from host David Genat (DG).
“At the tallest tree in the centre of town, you’ll find me on the roof, just don’t look down,” it read.
CK figures out the clue first, telling Lola they need to head to the Banyan Tree Hotel. Both Team Navy and Team Gold raced to meet DG; however, Team Scarlet lagged behind. Stopping for snacks thanks to Fiona, Hamish was not happy and because they misinterpret the clue, they head off in the wrong direction.
Lola and CK reach DG first and he puts them on a flight that takes them 160km away, to the picturesque Chicken Island.
The Mission
“You’ll need to catch a flight to down south to Krabi and make your way to Khamin Cave once there you’ll need to find and retrieve a traditional Thai garland hidden inside the cave,” DG says.
Team Scarlet arrives last and with 50 minutes before the gate closes, Hamish realises he’s lost the dossier of info due to an open backpack, but luckily, it’s found a few metres up the road.
Hamish, Fiona and Adam. Nine
Once they arrive at their destination, they decide to enter 25km away from the entrance point and once again, it’s Hamish taking the lead.
The Escape Zone
While Team Navy and Team Gold arrive safely at the Escape Zone, Team Scarlet is, well, lost and DG has to come to their rescue, meaning that one of them will go home.
Fiona decides that the boys should finish the race without her, subsequently eliminating herself.
Rush airs on Sunday at 7:00pm and continues Monday and Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and9Now.
Off the back of one of the most heartwarming moments in the history of the show, MasterChef Australia 2023’s TheoLoizou has opened up about the close friendship that he and Declan Cleary share.
During episode 47, Theo grew increasingly frustrated while attempting to remove the membrane from a squid. When Declan noticed his friend’s – and competitor’s – struggle, he took time out of his own cook to show him how to do it. The move could have easily cost Declan the competition. However, it was Theo that was sent home.
Looking back at Declan’s selfless move, Theo told us just how much it meant to him.
“It means a lot. He’s just so like that, he’s a great guy. There’s not a bad bone in his body. So, I’m very grateful to him,” he said in an interview with Chattr post-elimination.
“I’m really, really happy that he came in and helped me out but he didn’t have to walk over and give up time. It could have ruined his dish too and that would have been horrible, so I’m glad it didn’t.”
Declan helping Theo. MasterChef.
Theo also revealed that he and Declan forged a close friendship throughout the entirety of the show.
“We slept in the same bed actually,” he joked. “Nah, [we were] just roomies, which was fun.”
“He was my roommate for pretty much most of the whole time we were there. I taught him some things, he taught me some things and we’ve had each other’s back,” he added.
Who does Theo want to will win MasterChef?
Considering their close friendship, it wouldn’t be exactly surprising for Theo to be cheering Declan on for the win. However, the Home Cook said that he believes Brent Draper is the most talented of the three contestants left.
Brent and Declan. MasterChef.
“I’ve got no favourite in terms of who I’d want more, but I think as a cook, Brent is the best of the three. I think I think Declan has grown more than anyone else in the competition. So [I want] one of those two [to win], for sure,” he said.
When is the MasterChef finale?
The MasterChefAustralia finale will air on July 16 at 7:30pm.
MasterChef Australia airs Sunday – Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
It’s Million Dollar Island Australia episode 11 and we’ve gone from a hundred hopefuls to just seventeen survivors.
After (very openly) battling hunger and grueling trials, Jordan emerged victorious and earned the power to steer the game. But, did he let the power go to his head?
Here are 17 thoughts I had during episode eleven of Million Dollar Island Australia, episode seven!
1. Look, I’ve gotta give it to Brett for how great he is at being a reality TV villain.
2. Don’t fall for it Vine Camp! Jordan’s going to take your food and put you up for elimination anyway.
3. It’s the first I’ve heard Matty from Vine Camp speak TBH but production should have given him more screen time earlier. I love how he tells Jordan point-blank that he doesn’t trust him not to nominate him despite the food deal… But he hands over the grub anyway.
4. Now he’s calling Jordan an “arrogant pr*ck”. Matty for president.
Matt rolling his eyes at Jordan. Million Dollar Island.
5. So far Jordan’s struck a deal with Matty and Chloe from Vine Camp and Brett from Top Camp to not nominate them, but, fortunately, our favourite villain AKA Brett has taken the promise with a “grain of sand”.
6. Welp, in the most unsurprising news ever Jordan’s broken his promise to Matty and Chloe, but kept his to Brett, who says he’s like a “giggling school girl on spring break”.
Jordan and the food he scammed. Million Dollar Island.
7. Matty’s response to his nom? He calls Jordan a “gutted dog” and has this guy been banking up savage insults the whole season?
8. The fight on the beach over Jordan’s conniving nomination is most definitely the best Million Dollar Island moment so far. IMHO, Alfa and Tess are right that Log Camp are hypocrites. After all, the rest of the camp didn’t have to eat the food from the deal if they didn’t agree with the move.
9. I stand corrected. Matty pouring water on the Log Camp’s fire so they can’t cook the food is actually best moment.
Matty throwing water on the fire. Million Dollar Island.
The Elimination Challenge and Survival Challenge
10. I guess Matty has revenge on the mind, because he’s absolutely killing this challenge.
11. That’s the look of a worried man.
Jordan when he found out Matty won the challenge. Million Dollar Island.
12. Chloe and Matty’s embrace after his win is adorbs.
Matty and Chloe embracing. Million Dollar Island.
13. Vine camp’s reaction to their fire being put out is reality TV gold. But Matty really f**ked up by not taking their flint. Boo.
14. The Survival Challenge is rope making, and none of the contestants look too stoked about it.
The Survival Challenge contestants. Million Dollar Island.
15. Simon enlisting the help of Log Camp was genius in theory because they obviously don’t want Chloe to win. Too bad he couldn’t stay awake and keep his opposition motivated.
16. With every single contestant’s rope snapped, it looks like they’re all going home. Maybe production should have made the crates a little lighter?
17. Yup, they’re all out!
Contestants. Million Dollar Island.
Million Dollar Island Australia continues on July 17 at 7.30pm on 7 and 7Plus.
With just three MasterChef Australia 2023 contestants left, we’re down to the pointy end of the competition and fans are wondering who will be crowned winner.
Well, according to betting odds, there’s one home cook clearly cut out to win.
Returnee cookBrent Draper has the highest betting odds to take out the competition at $3,and NSW carpenter Declan Cleary isn’t too far behind at $6. With a large margin, in third place is Rhiannon Anderson at $19.
Masterchef. Ten.
How to understand betting odds
Betting odds are based on dollar value. If a punter bets $1, they’d receive back the amount the contestant was listed at. For example, if someone bets $1 on Brent, they’d receive a $3 return if he won. This corresponds with the amount deposited, so $10 would turn into $30, $100 would turn into $300, and so on.
Brent. Instagram.
Can betting odds really predict the winner?
Betting odds by no means confirm that a contestant will win a reality show, however, they can often be a good indicator.
Earlier this year, betting odds suggested thatLiz Parnov would win Survivor: Heros vs Villains, and she was, in fact, crowned the winner. Similarly, so, Reggie Bird was correctly pegged to win Big Brother Back To The Future. Plus, last year’s betting odds indicated that Billie McKay would win Masterchef, which she did.
Billie McKay. Instagram.
However, betting with insider knowledge is strictly forbidden and the punishments for doing so can be severe. Interestingly, this year most Australian betting sites have opted out of running bets for MasterChef Australia.
When is the finale?
The MasterChefAustralia finale will air on July 16 at 7:30pm.
MasterChef Australia airs Sunday – Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
It’s episode 47 of MasterChef Australia 2023 and it was arguably the most stressful and most shocking cook yet!
After being whisked away to the Iconic Sydney Opera House, Declan, Rhiannon and Theo were guided by Bennelong’s esteemed chef Peter Gilmore, where they witnessed the preparation of an exquisite dish.
Declan, Theo and Rhiannon. Ten
Intricate, full of components and of course visually stunning, they then had to face the daunting task of recreating it in the MasterChef kitchen without a recipe!
The top two dishes in the Pressure Test would head to the Semi-Final; however, whoever’s dish fell short, would be eliminated from the competition.
The Cook
Back in the MasterChef kitchen, the three contestants had two hours and 15 minutes to recreate four plates of Peter’s dish of Squid, Scallops and Pipis on Crispy Eggplant with XO Sauce.
Declan’s seafood prowess was evident as he multitasked to get ahead; however, after making a few errors, he refocused, regaining his composure and skillfully maneuvering through the rest of the cook.
Declan. Ten
Although Rhiannon remained calm and felt good throughout her cook, in the last few seconds, she realised her XO sauce had split; however, couldn’t do anything about it.
For Theo, the challenge proved incredibly difficult as he struggled the whole way through, particularly when it came to removing the squid membrane. After multiple attempts and a lot of wasted time, he became frustrated, losing his patience.
Now in his head, and unable to calm himself down, Andy suggested he move onto something else, so he began prepping his pipis which were a disaster, so he had to do them again. It wasn’t until our boy, Declan, left his bench to help Theo, that he finally was able to complete the step.
With only 15 minutes left on the clock, Theo rushed to complete the rest of the elements; however, his dish lacked finesse and missed some garnish elements.
Theo. Ten
The Judging
First up was Theo’s dish, whose seafood and eggplant were undercooked and his problems during prep affected the final dish.
Theo’s dish. Ten
Declan’s dish was next to be tasted by the panel of judges. They all commented that every component was lovely and the sauce and seafood were well executed.
Declan’s dish. Ten
Finally, when tasting Rhiannon’s dish, the judges could also see that her sauce had split; however, the taste and aroma were just like Peter’s.
Rhiannon’s dish. Ten
The Verdict
Given that Declan’s dish was closest to Chef Peter’s, he secured a spot in the semi-final, running over to Brent before they could even talk to him.
The decision of who would leave came down to Rhiannon and Theo, but it was Theo’s disastrous and stressful cook that saw him leave the competition.
MasterChef Australia airs Sunday – Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
