It was a 60 episode season which is shorter than the majority of seasons. But because it only aired 4 nights per week it finished the second latest in the year. The last couple of seasons were 50 episodes but before that all other seasons were 60 episodes or more.
2 Likes
Thanks for the info.
Shows that having only 4 episodes a week compared to 5 a week (usually with a masterclass episode), thus dragging out the show for a few more weeks, makes us think that there were more episodes this season than usual.
Makes sense now
I should have put money on her to win from the beginning. It was kinda obvious having done 2 other seasons, and coming 2nd both times. They weren’t going to let it happen again. Callum had already won a season too so I dont know why he was involved.
Congratulations to Laura for winning MCAU. I think the producers needs to step back a little and bring in like Masterclasses, Mystery Box, Invention Box etc for Season 18
All Stars was a charitable season.
Where they had past contestants and two winners in the MCAU kitchen
More quotes from Laura and Callum, plus reactions on social media
EDIT: Laura posted on her Instagram late last night.
I never thought I’d ever be writing this … a winning speech.
When I was 13 years old, I told my mum that one day I would be on MasterChef australia. 17 years later; I stand here, achieving my life long goal, and finally writing the last chapter to my fairytale ending.
My heart is full of love, joy and pride.To my dear friend @callums_kitchen thank you for your friendship, your support and for playing the most calculated game.
To our wonderful judges; @pohlingyeow @sofiaklevin @andyallencooks @jeanchristophe_novelli -To be guided and supported over this season has been a privilege. Thank you for allowing me to share my food, my soul and my passion. A special extra mention to Andy; thank you for allowing me to bring you food that has been inspired by our late friend Jock. To share this with you has been so truly special.
To every crew member; you make this show and you made this dream a reality. I cannot thank these incredible humans enough for being part of something so special, multiple times over. You know who you are.
To @chefmikoaspiras - you are a true powerhouse
To everyone that has ever believed in me; I will forever be grateful.
To my family; I love you. I have no words to truly describe my love for you all. Your sacrifices made to allow me to chase my dream will never go unnoticed.
Here’s to never giving up on your dreams. Tonight, my apron is hung, high, retired from this kitchen. thank you for the best times of my life @masterchefau
2 Likes
For Levin, one of the most important ingredients is the way contestants treat each other.
“I think MasterChef Australia is just such a leveller because everybody’s in the same position,” she said.
For Levin, the show’s tone is its competitive advantage. “It’s the only cooking competition that I’m aware of… where people are genuinely encouraging. And it’s also all real.”
While the 2025 season has wrapped, casting for 2026 has already closed. Levin says she’s spoken to producers and casting agents from last season who are “very excited” about the talent coming through.
1 Like
MasterChef Australia winner Laura Sharrad reveals filming two endings was ‘weird’
Speaking to news.com.au, Sharrad confirmed she and fellow finale competitor Callum Hann had to film alternate endings at the Melbourne kitchen late last year, a process many viewers deem “cruel”, with the pair having to fake both winning and losing scenarios following an hours-long battle.
Laura later found out she was the winner, in much less fanatic circumstances, shortly after the last episode was shot.
“It was a very casual conversation with the producers and Callum and myself, that was it,” she said.
“A very small amount of people in a room. And we just got told … They were just like, ‘Laura, you’re our winner.’
“So it was very casual. But it was nice to also have that moment with Callum, just the two of us there. We both have been runner up, so we both know that feeling. We’ve gone through the competition twice together. So, you know, as lovely as it would have been to have that moment in real time, just to have that one-on-one time with Callum was really special.”
1 Like
I think late last year was incorrect unless the entire season was filmed in 2024. Remember Gordon Ramsay was guest chef in the first week, that would only be possible after filming for the US version had finished.
A Mediaweek article from May 24, about 10 hosting a luncheon for MC sponsors in a pub at The Rocks in Sydney, also mentioned that the grand final was shot the night before.
Fresh from a late-night shoot of the series finale in Melbourne, EndemolShine Australia’s Director of Content Marty Benson and Network 10’s Head of Non-Scripted Sarah Thornton flew in to join the celebration.
Those producers hmmmm
I was going to say it can’t be last year since Sav announced being a judge on Masterchef Sri Lanka but I
think that was something that was done in 2025
It was so obvious that Sarah Todd and Declan are now a couple,they were standing close to each other and touching while watching with the rest of the contestants from this season,upstairs on the gantry .
Season 17 premiered on U&W in the UK on Monday, August 4. It will be shown on Monday to Friday evenings.
1 Like
Callum has given his first newspaper interview since losing to Laura in the season 17 finale. The article appears in News Corp’s Weekend magazines today.
Yotam Ottolenghi is doing a live stage tour of Singapore, Australia and New Zealand in February 2026. Could he be appearing on the new season of MasterChef? There is a gap on the schedule between Canberra and Bendigo events, on February 13.
I recently started as a volunteer for the Oz Harvest charity and I noticed they have a big fundraising event next month,the CEO cook off,in major Australian cities.Theres several well known celebrity cooks like Sarah Todd and Andy Allen at the Melbourne event and other guest chefs who’ve appeared on the programme in other cities.
It’s a shame there’s no well known names at the Brisbane event,only 2 chefs I’ve never heard of.
2 Likes
I didn’t realise Kate Reid (co-founder of Lune) had auditioned for the very first season of MasterChef, while still battling anorexia. She got to cook a dish in front of Gary, George and Matt, but didn’t receive a white apron as one of top 24 contestants. Who would have thought that a decade later, she would become a guest chef on the show?
(Kate Reid cooking on MasterChef starts at 17:43 mark)
2 Likes
Sarah Todd posted on her Instagram this afternoon that she and Declan Cleary are expecting their first baby (and Sarah’s second child).
3 Likes