It’s all about unfinished business on MasterChef Australia 2025, as some of the most unforgettable contestants who were left hungry for more return for another epic Back to Win season.
From 2012’s Audra Morrice to more recent standouts like 2023’s Declan Clearly and 2024’s Sav Perera, the MasterChef Australia 2025 cast is stacked with fan favourites and some serious culinary talent, all stepping back into the kitchen for one more shot at the coveted trophy.
The chefs will once again have to face high-stakes Pressure Tests, Mystery Box Challenges, Service Challenges and, of course, those dreaded elimination rounds.
Whether they narrowly missed the title the first time around or bowed out too soon, these returning chefs are hungrier than ever to prove they’ve got what it takes.
Standing between them and the crown is the formidable panel of MasterChef Australia judges: the ever-charming Andy Allen, food critic Sofia Levin, beloved cook Poh Ling Yeow, and multi-Michelin-starred French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. And of course, there’ll be a surprise guest judge or two along the way, including Gordon Ramsay, who’s set to make an appearance this season.
The last MasterChef: Back to Win season in 2020 saw chef and cake designer Emelia Jackson (who originally placed third in Season 6) take out the win, walking away with a $250,000 cash prize and the title of MasterChef champion.
Sadly, however, in the race to make one chef’s MasterChef dream come true, we’ll have to say goodbye to contestants along the way. You can catch up on everything that happens in each MasterChef Australia 2025 episode here.
So, who has left the MasterChef Australia 2025 kitchen so far? Scroll through to find out.
Everyone who has left MasterChef Australia 2025
Pete Campbell
The first departure for 2025 was a particularly sad one. At the beginning of the episode, Andy Allen announced that Pete Campbell was leaving MasterChef Australia.
“Before we kick things off, I’ve got some news,” the MasterChef judge began. “Due to personal reasons, Pete is unable to continue in the competition, and we wish him nothing but the best.”
A Network 10 spokesperson told Chattr that Pete left the show due to a medical diagnosis, which Pete has since confirmed is cancer.
“During production of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, Pete Campbell received a diagnosis that required him to step away from the competition to focus on his health,” they began.
“The MasterChef family supports Pete in his recovery and hopes to see him back doing what he loves in the kitchen very soon.”
Shortly after Episode 3 of MasterChef Australia 2025 aired, Pete took to Instagram to confirm that this departure was due to being diagnosed with cancer.
“Didn’t even get to cook for the judges! But you know what they say… ‘if you have cancer, you should go get chemo,’” he wrote.
“A massive thank you to everyone messaging and checking in, you’re all so nice.”
MasterChef Australia season 17 airs in 2025 on 10 and 10Play.
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