“The standard is the highest I’ve ever seen it.”

With a fresh season of MasterChef Australia: Back to Win on the horizon in 2025, judge Andy Allen has revealed to Chattr that fans can expect fiercer competition and more elevated dishes than ever before, setting it apart from a typical MasterChef season.

MasterChef Australia 2025 will see 24 contestants who’ve competed on past seasons return to the kitchen for their second — or third — chance at winning the title.

Among them is Andre Ursini from Season 1, Sarah Todd from Season 6 and 14 and Snezana Calic from Season 16. During an interview ahead of the new season, Andy told Chattr that the calibre of contestants is much higher than a regular season made up of new faces.

“The first Back to Win we did in 2020, and I feel like a lot of these contestants watched that show, and they know how fierce the competition is.

“The standard is the highest I’ve ever seen it. I think it’s the want to win, and also the camaraderie that all of the contestants have on a daily basis.”
MasterChef Australia 2025 cast. Image: Ten.

The dynamic between the older and newer returning contestants

Some of the returning contestants, like viral cookbook author Steph de Sousa have established successful careers in the food industry post-MasterChef, and Andy said that he found that the level of experience in the kitchen from the veterans pushed the newer contestants to reach their full potential.

“I think it’s one thing to go really well in the competition, but to rub shoulders with some of these guys who have been there, done that, gone out into the industry, kicked massive goals — even just having lunch and sitting next to them and picking their brain and and getting better at cooking, but also getting a few life lessons as well. It’s such a priceless process.”

The MasterChef Australia judge said there’s one element that’s the same across the board for the cast in MasterChef Australia Back to Win 2025: their desire to be crowned the winner.
Andy Allen on MasterChef Australia. Image: Ten.
“I think as soon as you get that chance to come back in the MasterChef kitchen — and I think for a lot of these contestants, they probably thought that would never happen again.

“As soon as you get that ticket, it’s up to you what you do with it. So I know how much this means to each and every individual that walks through those doors, and they don’t take that lightly, and they don’t take it for granted.

“I think that it’s just a natural thing for people to go, this could be my last shot, and I’m going to give it my bloody all,” he said.

Bring it on!

MasterChef Australia premieres Monday, April 28 at 7.30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.