MasterChef Australia 2025’s Ben Macdonald was sent home during a stressful Elimination Challenge with a time limit of two hours — where every second mattered.
For viewers, it’s plain to see that the contestants push themselves to the limits during challenges, and viewers have wondered how contestants manage to have such coherent chats with the judges when they’re in the middle of competing.
“If it were me, especially in a timed competition, I either wouldn’t acknowledge them, not to be rude but I would feel too much pressure from the challenge to even notice anyone around me, or I’d ask them to leave and let me get cooking,” one person wrote on Reddit.
But, during a post-elimination interview with Chattr, Ben said that those conversations with the judges were hugely beneficial.
“It’s just part of the game, really. They’re coming up to talk to you, they’re not trying to slow you down or get in your way,” Ben told Chattr.
“They usually actually have quite a bit of useful advice. You certainly don’t want to ignore them. Sometimes you might be able to pick up a little bit of a subtle hint about something, if you’re lucky. “
Ben added that he found his chats with the judges and guest judges one of the most enjoyable parts of the competition.
“They don’t take up much of your time, in all honesty. So it’s always nice to have him at the bench. And you know, often when there are guest chefs as well, it’s really fun talking to them. So it’s really big part of the fun.”
Ben Macdonald on his MasterChef Australia elimination
Ben told Chattr that he was proud of the dish he presented, but knew that he had extremely tough competition in the form of Laura, Jamie and Callum.
“I wasn’t exactly surprised [to be eliminated] when I saw the other guys’ dishes. I thought, I’m going to be lucky to survive this one,” he said.
Reflecting on his time on the show, the dad of two said that his Immunity Pin win challenge towards the start of the season stood out for him.
“My favourite challenge was probably the second episode, where I did the cook along with Gordon Ramsay, and I won the Immunity Pin. That was pretty special, just because Gordon’s such a culinary legend, and to be cooking a couple of his dishes blind like that was just a really amazing experience.”
MasterChef Australia airs on Sundays at 7pm and Monday – Tuesdays at 7:30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.
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