The competition in the MasterChef Australia kitchen has already begun to heat up for 2025. With the latest twist marking the return of fan-favourite contestants from past seasons, fans are already keeping a close eye out for who has the best shot of taking home the coveted title.
This season features 24 returning chefs, all eager to prove their culinary skills and claim the MasterChef crown under the watchful eyes of judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli. The competition is fierce, with high-stakes challenges including pressure tests, mystery box challenges, and service challenges pushing contestants to their limits.
While some may rise to the challenge, others will sadly serve their final meals. Keep scrolling to find out who has left MasterChef Australia 2025 so far.
Who has left MasterChef Australia 2025?
Rhiannon Anderson
Season 15
Seafood chef Josh Niland returned to the MasterChef kitchen, challenging contestants to create their own version of surf and turf. Unfortunately Rho’s lobster wontons paired with beef broth were the devil that sent her home.
“What a wild ride the MasterChef journey is! Top 2 in my season then 18th in back to win! My motto this season was to just come and have fun and that I did!
“The pressure I felt to make an incredible dish for Josh Niland @mrniland got me in the end! To think my season I got top dish with Josh then bottom dish this season is wild! “You actually never know what will happen when the pressure gets you in the kitchen! I’m incredibly grateful to MasterChef for this opportunity to come back and show how much I’ve grown as a cook in the past two years!
” I’ve made lifelong friends and am now working in an industry that I love!”
Jimmy Wong
Season 8
Jimmy found himself in his first pressure test of the season, with it ending in flames as the pressure took its toll.
“That was hectic!!!! I mean it when I said it has been such an honor to cook with my fellow contestants.
“Today I think this gorgeous puppy balloon cake set by Stephen He @leyeahllow got the better of me. Took it out on those poor chocolate shells and karma got me back by melting in my hands ? On a serious note, I am proud of myself for not given up! More to come from me, so look out for some of my food photography and collaborations. Keep celebrating food and the stories behind food,” he wrote.
Matt Hopcraft
Season 7
In episode 12’s elimination round, Matt was sadly eliminated when he failed to bring some “tableside theatrics” to the bench.
“Well, it’s been a wild ride, but sad to say that for me, my MasterChef journey has come to an abrupt end. It takes courage to say yes, to put yourself out there on national TV, to compete against the best and open yourself up to be judged and to be so vulnerable.
“But the experience, and the opportunity for growth are second to none. This kitchen is a magical place where dreams come true,” the 53-year-old shared on his Instagram.
Steph de Sousa
Season 11
Sadly for Steph, her time in the kitchen came to an end after her team lost the “One Inch Cube Taste Test.”
Steph cooked a pork belly dish, which unfortunately didn’t quite cut it for the judges, with most of the complaints revolving around the star of the dish, the pork.
Despite her best efforts and not quite meeting the mark of what the judges were after, Steph said goodbye to the MasterChef kitchen.
Sav Perera
Season 16
After being tasked with recreating Dessert Masters star Kristen Tibbals’ caviar-inspired dessert, Sav quickly rose to the challenge in the series’ first pressure test.
“I’m not comfortable. I don’t think anyone’s comfortable with pressure tests, but some people take to them a bit better. But I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – it doesn’t matter what the challenge is. I don’t give up,” Sav said.
Despite her determination, her presentation sadly fell short of the judge’s standards, with Sav being eliminated at the conclusion of the challenge.
Pete Campbell
Season 13
Pete was sadly forced to leave the 2025 Back to Win season prematurely after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system.
His departure was announced by judge Andy Allen as due to “personal reasons,” with Pete later confirming the diagnosis on Instagram.
Pete later described the news as a complete shock and prioritised starting chemotherapy immediately to focus on his health and family.
Cath Collins
Season 15
Returning to tackle her nerves in the MasterChef kitchen, Cath was eager to impress the judges with her exponential growth from her last season, opting to experiment with new techniques and bold flavours.
Plating a Japanese-inspired dish, the intense pressure of the MasterChef Australia competition sadly found its way into Cath’s final meal, with the judges critiquing her meal’s slightly burnt aftertaste.
“I was so ready, even more than last time, to just smash this and give it everything, to learn and hang out with the MasterChef fam, but it just wasn’t meant to be, and it really was very, very difficult to take,” Cath told Ten.
