Here are all the familiar faces returning to the competition this season.

MasterChef 2025 cast.

MasterChef 2025 features 24 fan favourite contestants returning for another shot at the title. Photo: Channel 10

The upcoming seventeenth season of MasterChef Australia is set to feature 24 fan favourite contestants returning to the kitchen for another shot at the title and $250,000 grand prize. This year’s cast comprises cooks from the inaugural season to last year’s season, including three people competing for their third time.

Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli will once again appear on the judging panel, with Gordon Ramsay joining as a special guest for week one. Ahead of Monday night’s premiere, here are all the familiar faces donning an apron and going head to head this season.

MasterChef's Laura Sharrad / Callum Hann.

Laura Sharrad (Season 6, Season 12) / Callum Hann (Season 2, Season 12). Photos: Channel 10

While Billie McKay made history as the only person to win MasterChef twice, Laura Sharrad is the only person who has come second twice. The Adelaide chef, who is the co-owner of the successful Fugazzi Bar & Dining and pasta bar Nido, was the runner-up in both season 6 and season 12 and is hoping third time’s the charm.

Callum Hann finished runner-up on the second season of MasterChef and competed alongside Laura in season 12, where he came fourth. The South Australian chef has opened two new restaurants since the last time he competed, in addition to growing his long-running cooking school, Sprout, and is prepared to go for the prestigious title for a third time.

MasterChef's Sarah Todd / Andre Ursini.

Sarah Todd (Season 6, Season 14) / Andre Ursini (Season 1). Photos: Channel 10

This year’s third three-time contestant is Sarah Todd, who came ninth in season 6 and second in season 14. She has a huge presence in India, with the country’s Prime Minister recognising her for her extraordinary contributions to the food industry in 2023, and she launched her own sauce brand, Hot Toddy, the same year.

16 years after competing on the inaugural season of MasterChef and finishing in seventh place, Andre Ursini is re-entering the competition. Andre has launched four successful venues since competing on the show, in addition to other business ventures.

MasterChef's Alana Lowes / Audra Morrice.

Alana Lowes (Season 3) / Audra Morrice (Season 4). Photos: Channel 10

Alana Lowes finished third on season 3 and was described by judge Gary Mehigan as “one of the best cooks we’ve ever had”. She’s since travelled the globe as a food, travel and lifestyle television presenter, travel writer and magazine editor, and launched her own sauce range.

Since finishing third on the fourth season of MasterChef, Audra Morrice has gone on to become a judge on MasterChef Singapore and MasterChef Asia. The TV presenter, cookbook author and catering business proprietor now splits her time between Sydney and Singapore.

MasterChef's Beau Cook / Samira El Khafir.

Beau Cook (Season 4) / Samira El Khafir (Season 5). Photos: Channel 10

Another returning contestant from season 4 (which is the year that Andy Allen won) is Beau Cook, who finished eighth. Beau became a firefighter following his last stint in the kitchen, but has continued to build his skills in the kitchen and has a passion for using his own homegrown ingredients whenever possible.

Samira El Khafir finished in third place on season 5 and has since launched her own café serving a modern Middle Eastern menu. She’s also written a cookbook, launched a range of low-carb products, and worked as a recipe developer.

MasterChef's Jamie Fleming / Ben Macdonald.

Jamie Fleming (Season 6) / Ben Macdonald (Season 6). Photos: Channel 10

After finishing fourth in season 6, Jamie Fleming went on to launch the award-winning Alba Bar & Deli in Brisbane for five years before opening Spill Wine in Maleny in 2024. The Queensland chef always strives to cook with a connection to create meaningful experiences for diners whenever he shares his food.

Also competing this season is Ben Macdonald, who finished sixth in season 6, making him the fourth returning contestant from that series alongside Laura, Sarah and Jamie. The determined chef has been very busy in the 11 years since he appeared in the MasterChef kitchen and has run a café, a bistro and a fresh pasta delivery business in Auckland, New Zealand.

MasterChef's Matt Hopcraft / Jimmy Wong.

Matt Hopcraft (Season 7) / Jimmy Wong (Season 8). Photos: Channel 10

Matt Hopcraft finished sixth in season 7 and went on to release a cookbook while also continuing his career in dentistry. Matt, who is also an associate professor at Melbourne University, hopes to showcase more refinement in his dishes and let his creativity loose.

Jimmy Wong competed on season 8 alongside his sister Theresa and finished nineteenth, making him the lowest-placing contestant to return this season. Jimmy has since pursued a career in food full-time and works as a food photographer, content creator and brand ambassador.

MasterChef's Tim Bone / Steph De Sousa.

Tim Bone (Season 11) / Steph De Sousa (Season 11). Photos: Channel 10

After finishing fourth in season 11, Tim Bone created his hugely popular mobile gourmet toasted sandwich business, Tim’s Toasties. The Good Chef, Bad Chef host opened a brick-and-mortar store this year and returns to the MasterChef kitchen a changed man.

After finishing twelfth in season 11, Steph De Sousa is hoping to make the top 10 this time around. The ‘Frugal Foodie’ has written two cookbooks, hosted her own television series and held ambassador roles since her last appearance in the competition.

MasterChef's Pete Campbell / Depinder Chhibber.

Pete Campbell (Season 13) / Depinder Chhibber (Season 13). Photos: Channel 10

Pete Campbell was the runner-up on season 13 and dove straight into the culinary world, joining Peter Gilmore as a commis chef at Sydney’s Quay restaurant. He’s also hosted pop-ups in New York City and recently worked at Sydney’s Poly restaurant.

Since coming eighth on season 13, Depinder Chhibber launched a supper club called Char, meaning home in Hindi. She appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef India in 2023 and is returning to the kitchen to show her daughters what it’s like to believe in yourself and follow your passion.

MasterChef's Rhiannon Anderson / Declan Cleary.

Rhiannon Anderson (Season 15) / Declan Cleary (Season 15). Photos: Channel 10

Rhiannon Anderson finished second on season 15 and became known for her ‘punch in the face’ flavours full of spice, chilli and finger lime. She created her own business, Rhiplenish, after leaving the kitchen, running cooking demonstrations and working with brands.

Joining Rhiannon this season is Declan Cleary, who came third on season 15 and was known for his seafood. He has since become a global brand ambassador, travelling, presenting cooking demonstrations and creating content, and dreams of opening his own farm-to-fork style venue.

MasterChef's Theo Loizou / Cath Collins.

Theo Loizou (Season 15) / Cath Collins (Season 15). Photos: Channel 10

Theo Loizou finished fourth on season 15, where he was known as the ‘bread boy’. He still works as an electrician but has been gaining restaurant experience and dreams of opening his own bakery.

After coming fifth on season 15, Cath Collins launched her own food business, Cath’s Kitchen, where she runs intimate cooking classes. She now returns to the competition a wiser, calmer cook and plans on having more fun this time around.

MasterChef's Rue Mupedzi / Savindri Perera.

Rue Mupedzi (Season 15) / Savindri Perera (Season 16). Photos: Channel 10

The fifth contestant returning from season 15 is Rue Mupedzi, who came seventh and notably won a challenge on the show that allowed her to stock her BarbeRue Sauce in Coles. She worked part-time as a chef for private catering events following the competition and has completed cooking courses to perfect her skills and techniques.

Savindri Perera finished third on season 16 last year and is determined not to waste her second chance in the competition. The former banking consultant now works as a private chef and in event catering and has built a name for herself in Sri Lanka after bringing their cuisine to the global stage.

MasterChef's Darrsh Clarke / Snezana Calic.

Darrsh Clarke (Season 16) / Snezana Calic (Season 16). Photos: Channel 10

Darrsh Clarke has relocated from Perth to Melbourne to chase his food dreams after finishing sixth on season 16. He’s also since moved in with two of his co-stars: 2024 champion Nat Thaipun and fellow contestant David Tan.

Snezana Calic will continue to proudly represent the Serbian community this season after finishing fifteenth on season 16. The mum of two has been working in restaurants and teaching pop-up cooking classes since filming the show, and has begun working on a cookbook exploring Mediterranean and Serbian-style recipes.