Get ready to turn up your nose at wannabe chefs while chowing down on your bowl of lukewarm two-minute noodles because MasterChef Australia is back, baby. And it’s gone royal, queens!
Ten’s reality TV juggernaut returns for season 18 (feel old, yet?), promising a blend of wholesome cooking with a generous sprinkling of kitchen chaos. The judging panel — Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli — are all returning to mentor 24 amateur cooks through high-stakes challenges, taste tests and mystery boxes as they vie for the coveted trophy and cash prize.
This season has already generated global headlines due to a surprise guest appearance by none other than THE Meghan Markle, who has filmed a segment as a guest judge. It’s a star-packed season, as she’ll be joined by Aussie icons like Robert Irwin, Maggie Beer and Jimmy Barnes. Straya, right!
The new season is set to cast a spotlight on viral food creators and social media superstars — including cameos from DimSimLim, Andy Cooks, Victoria Minell and Lily Huynh — who will bring their online expertise into the kitchen this April.
Who’s in the MasterChef Australia 2026 cast?
We haven’t been given any details about the 2026 contestants yet, but what we do know is that the 24 contestants competing for the highly coveted white apron in the premiere are all home cooks.
Judge Poh Ling Yeow told Chattr that this season is going back to basics. “This year, it’s back to freshies who are amateur cooks, a bit of a whiz in the kitchen at home and they’re having their moment in the MasterChef kitchen,” Poh said.
“It’s just really good home cooking, and obviously as they go through the competition, it becomes more and more refined.”
All the deets on MasterChef Australia 2026 judges Andy Allen, Jean-Christophe Novelli, Sofia Levin and Poh Ling Yeow
The judging panel from the previous two seasons will all be back and raring to go, which includes Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli.
Andy Allen won MasterChef Australia in 2012 and has served as a judge since 2020. Poh first gained fame as a MasterChef runner-up in 2009 before being embraced as a beloved television host, cookbook author, and icon in Australian food.
Sofia is an adventurous culinary travel journalist with an encyclopedic knowledge of global cuisine. Jean-Christophe is a multi-Michelin-starred French chef, who brings world-class expertise to the kitchen.
Of course, there was the surprise announcement that Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, will appear as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia 2026. She filmed her segment at the Melbourne studios during her and Prince Harry’s visit to Australia in April.
In a 10News exclusive, Poh introduces the very special guest to the kitchen. “We’ve had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before, but no one like this,” she teases.
“All the way from sunny California, please welcome to the MasterChef Australia the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle!”
But Meghan isn’t the only celebrity judge joining the season, as she’ll be joined by the likes of former Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes, series mum Maggie Beer and dessert magician Adriano Zumbo, along with iconic alumni Khanh Ong, Marion Grasby, Sarah Todd, Jess Lemon, Matt Sinclair and Justin Schofield returning to their old stomping grounds.
Poh told Chattr she was especially excited to be reunited with her food hero, Rick Stein, “Whenever Rick Stein comes, I’m always really excited because he was kind of one of my original food idols,” she told Chattr. “I’m always moved by how engaged and enthusiastic he still is with food. He’s just such a giant food nerd.”
What is the premiere date for the new season?
The new season of MasterChef Australia 2026 kicks off on Sunday, April 19, 2026, on Network 10 and 10Play.
Is there a trailer?
Yes! An emotional MasterChef Australia 2026 trailer has dropped, where judge Andy Allen declares that “this is the kitchen of dreams!” In the teaser, we catch a glimpse of the aspiring chefs and home cooks set to fight tooth and nail for a blessed white apron on MasterChef Australia.
Laura Sharrad won MasterChef 2025
This year’s cast will have huge shoes to fill following the 2025 season of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win. In a nail-biting finale, Laura Sharrad came out victorious over Callum Hann in the grand finale with a total score of 80 points to 73.
This victory was a full-circle moment for Laura Sharrad, as it was her third appearance on MasterChef – but her first win. She previously finished as a runner-up in both the 2014 and 2020 all-star seasons.
So what can we expect from this year’s season and contestants? This is everything we know about MasterChef Australia 2026.
What’s the prize for winning MasterChef Australia 2026?
In previous years, the winner of MasterChef Australia was awarded a handy prize package of $250,000. Extra bonuses are often given too, which vary from season to season, including the chance for chef training with leading culinary professionals.
And then there’s the iconic dish-shaped trophy, a true embodiment of the glory of being crowned Australia’s next MasterChef… and a shiny trinket to lord over jealous house guests. Just me??
MasterChef Australia 2026 premieres on April 19. MasterChef Australia airs Sunday 7pm and Monday and Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.
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