He made his TV debut in 2009 as a contestant on MasterChef.

And now, award-winning foodie Andre Ursini is set to head back to the kitchen for Masterchef Australia: Back to Win.

The 44-year-old chef and restaurateur posted the news on his Instagram, along with a trailer for the upcoming season of Channel 10’s cooking competition.

The preview features the dramatic moment he was booted off the show in season one.

‘I got eliminated on a Sri Lankan curry taste test,’ the Adelaide food guru says in the voice over.

Also included is new footage of a now bearded Andre working on a recipe.

‘I haven’t been in the MasterChef kitchen for about 16 years…bloody long time,’ he continues.

Award-winning foodie Andre Ursini, who appeared on season one of the show, is set to head back to the kitchen for Masterchef Australia : Back to Win

The 44-year-old chef and restaurateur posted the news on his Instagram, along with a trailer for the upcoming season of Channel 10’s cooking competition

‘I’m back, time to start cooking again.’

He also teased his hopes for the new season.

‘I’ve ticked all my food creative goals, my work goals, my life goals,’ he said.

‘But I’ve never held that [MasterChef] trophy.’

The former reality star has opened several notable eateries in South Australia, including the award-winning Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar in Adelaide, ORSO, Villetta Porcini, Lost Phoenix Farm and Willmott’s Gastronomia.

Meanwhile, speculation is mounting that former MasterChef judge Melissa Leong could be returning to the show.

According to a well-placed source, Leong, 43, is putting wheels in motion to return to the cooking competition show, but only if another judge isn’t there.

‘Melissa told Ten that she’ll go back to MasterChef Australia when Andy Allen goes,’ a TV insider told Daily Mail Australia.

Meanwhile, speculation is mounting that former MasterChef judge Melissa Leong could be returning to the show

‘I think the idea of returning to what the show once was for her seems a bit daunting and the only way Melissa would ever return is if the whole format was revamped.’

Leong left MasterChef Australia last year under a cloud of suspicion about an alleged feud with her former co-host Allen.

Following revelations of backstage tensions between Leong and crew members employed by Ten’s production partner Endemol Shine in 2022, came news she was no longer in the MasterChef Australia line-up.

Leong shocked fans when she shared news of her departure to Instagram one day before the network’s 2024 Upfronts.

‘The changing of the guard is one I always planned to embrace, and I’m so glad to do that on my terms, today,’ she penned last October.

Meanwhile, affable Allen returned to the show in 2024 alongside three new judges.

Media darling Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and Melbourne food critic Sofia Levin have all joined.

Leong’s departure came after claims she had been axed following a string of publicised off-camera dramas.

She infamously had a blow up with the program’s hair and make-up team along with a substitute freelance hairstylist in 2022.