Returning for an incredible 14th season, tonight’s MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites premiere episode kicked off with a bang, with 12 returning contestants battling it out against 12 everyday home cooks.
After judges Andy Allen, Jock Zonfrillo and Melissa Leong introduced us to the incredible crop of passionate and driven fans including TikTok influencer Montana Hughes and firefighter Daniel Lamble, past-season favourites including Julie Goodwin and Sashi Cheliah walked through the famous hallowed doors for a second time.
While Melissa announced that this season contestants will be competing in teams where only one will be left standing at the end, Andy explained that tonight’s challenge was to cook a sweet or savoury dish that played to their strengths.
After an incredible first tasting, the judges awarded Tommy Pham and his Vietnamese fermented noodle soup an immunity pin for the Favourites, while Harry Tomlinson’s burnt cabbage saw her win a pin for the Fans. The third lucky pin was given to Favourite Christina Batista for her knockout Portuguese ‘Bacalhau à Bràs dish.