The fate of the 2024 MasterChef Australia judging panel has been confirmed, after they made their debut on the show this series.
Andy Allen was the only judge to return to the show this year, after Melissa Leong was dropped and Jock Zonfrillo tragically died in April last year, just one day before season 15 was set to air.
Andy, 36, who first joined the panel in 2020, admitted he was unsure about returning after the devastating loss of Jock but ultimately decided to after realising it was what his friend would have wanted.
He was joined on the 2024 panel by MasterChef season one runner-up Poh Ling Yeow, food writer Sofia Levin and French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
The 2024 series is still ongoing as contestants are vying for their place in the final, but Network 10 have already confirmed the future of the new judging panel.
The fate of the 2024 MasterChef Australia judging panel Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli has been confirmed
A spokesperson confirmed the four judges will be returning for the 2025 series after they made a hugely successful debut this year, impressing the cast and viewers.
They said: 'Judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli will all be returning to the MasterChef Australia kitchen in 2025 to serve up another delicious season of Australia's favourite cooking show.'
The confirmation came amid reports that MasterChef's original judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston - who left in 2019 - would be appearing on the 2025 series.
Though the new judges initially prompted a mixed reaction from viewers, they have gone on to win over viewers during their stint on the 2024 series.
Melbourne-based Sofia in particular has not failed to disappoint as she has left the cast and crew seriously impressed.
A spokesperson confirmed the four judges will be returning for the 2025 series after they made a hugely successful debut this year (pictured: Andy, Poh and Sofia)
Andy was the only judge to return to the show this year, after Melissa Leong was dropped and Jock Zonfrillo tragically died in April last year, just one day before season 15 was set to air
A source told how she has 'real' on-screen 'chemistry' with Andy, 36, and the pair have become good friends since appearing on the show together.
'You can see they have real chemistry, and casting has a lot to do with making these judges pop on camera,' they told Woman's Day. 'The long days were hard but Sofia made everything fun for cast and crew.'
Andy, who is married to Alex Davey, won the fourth season of MasterChef Australia in 2012 and made his debut on the judging panel in 2020.
A MasterChef insider also recently revealed that Channel Ten had their eye on new judge Poh, 50, as far back as 2019.
She was said to be considered as a replacement for outgoing judges Matt, George and Gary when they were dropped that year.
A MasterChef insider recently revealed that Channel Ten had their eye on new judge Poh, 50, as far back as 2019
'The conversations around the boardroom started with a dream team of judges that would work well together and Poh was on that list for sure,' the source told Yahoo.
But the plans were put on ice because producers were said to be keen to get Poh and former winner Julie Goodwin to return for the Back to Win celebrity season.
'We had her back for Back to Win which was a great TV moment,' the source continued.
'She was able to do I'm A Celebrity and had an amazing opportunity to host a show with Snackmasters.'
MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA 2024: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Alex Crisp, 27 – Sales Representative, WA
Alex's passion for cooking was ignited when her dad gifted her a Jamie Oliver cookbook for her ninth birthday.
Since then, Alex - who works in fine food sales - has amassed an impressive collection of more than 70 cookbooks and plans to show off her skills in the MasterChef kitchen.
David Tan, 30 - Pharmacologist, QLD
David grew up in Singapore and told how his family of five would often drive to Malaysia on the weekend for lunch.
The national clinical trials administrator learnt his love of cookery from his grandmother and father and is now putting his profession on hold to try his hand at MasterChef.
Harry Butterfield, 29 – Commercial Property, QLD
Brisbane-based Harry Butterfield has his sights set on being the 2024 season seafood guru and is passionate about sustainably harvesting seafood.
He first got involved in cookery at the age of 12 and has become inspired by his food hero Josh Niland over the years.
Jonathan Hooper, 29 – Carpenter, NSW
Jonathan began cooking at around 10 years old and was always encouraged by his parents to cook for himself if he didn't like what was for dinner.
He has been inspired by the likes of Morgan Hipworth and Jamie Oliver and hopes to show off his talents with home-style comfort food to make his Nonna proud.
Josh Perry, 43 – Butcher, TAS
Affectionately known as 'Pezza', Josh a small-town butcher from Smithton, Tasmania.
Looking up to Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver, Josh hopes to do his family matriarchs proud on MasterChef.
Khristian Walker, 26 – Insurance Services, VIC
Khristian's mother sparked his passion for cooking, and he started helping in the kitchen at 10 years old.
He hopes his big flavours and ability to stay calm in the kitchen will help him on his MasterChef journey.
Lily Davies, 30 – Former Nurse, NSW
Lily's mother was a chef who trained at Le Cordon Bleu and became one of the youngest chefs to teach there at age 18.
Lily is now hoping to pursue her own dream of running a deli-style eatery through MasterChef.
Mimi Wong, 25 – High School Teacher, NSW
Mimi is passionate about Asian fusion cookery and feels she has exceed the boundaries of home cooking, and hopes to show off her talents on MasterChef.
Savindri Perera, 30 – Banking Consultant, SA
Savindri found her love of cooking at the age of 12 when she discovered Nigella.
She is now hoping her baking expertise and use of spices will give her an edge and help her pursue her dream of opening a brunch cafe in Adelaide.
Steph Griffin, 28 – Events Manager, QLD
From the Sunshine State, Steph is hoping to make huge strides in her career on MasterChef.
Inspired by Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson, Steph wants to host exclusive pop-up dining experiences in the future.
Sue Bazely, 58 – Customer Manager, VIC
Sue has been a MasterChef fan for many years and is raring to take on the challenge herself.
Having worked on her own handwritten cookbook for 42 years, Sue dreams of getting the epic collection of upwards of 170 recipes published.
Darrsh Clarke, 31 - Management Consultant, WA
Darrsh's love of food and his culinary journey has been inspired by his late father, who was a chef in an Indian restaurant.
Darrsh has represented Western Australia on the basketball and volleyball courts, which he hopes will give him an edge in the MasterChef kitchen as he plans to pursue his dreams of opening a fusion bar and restaurant.
Gillian Dinh, 31 – Lettering Artist, NSW
Gill's cookery has been influenced by her mother Doreen and her beloved late Nonna Lina, as well as her late father Tommy, who taught her to trust her palate.
Inspired by great chefs including Luke Nguyen, Josh Niland and Dan Hong, Gill hopes to bring big flavours to MasterChef.
James Holmes, 38 – Primary School Teacher, WA
Having grown up in England, James love of cookery has long been inspired by his travels around the globe.
He is a father to kids Benji, aged seven, and Goldie, three, and is determined to show his kids how to embrace a new challenge.
Josh Clarke, 27 – Coffee Roaster, QLD
Josh, who grew up in New York, credits his Irish mother Caroline and Jamaican father Jason for inspiring his love of cookery.
After backpacking around the globe, Josh has sampled food from all over the globe, and also met his now-wife Laura in Byron Bay on his travels.
Taking inspiration from Roy Choi, Andy Hearnden and Matty Matheson, Josh hopes to impress with his Spanish-influenced food.
Juan De La Cruz Torales Villarreal, 39 – Board Game Designer, NSW
Born in Argentina, Juan hopes to impress the judges with his Latin American flavours.
Looking up to Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann, Juan will bring his signature energy to the show.
Lachlan Whittle, 34 – Landscape Gardener, VIC
A doting father, Lachlan hopes to leave his mark on the competition for his daughter Lily, two.
Lachlan sadly lost his mother Jan to cancer late last year and recently discovered that he has the genetic, degenerative brain condition Huntington's Disease and is determined to live life to the fullest.
Lourdes Leschen, 22 – Marketing Coordinator, VIC
With her mother Laly and Yiayia Ana Maria hailing from Catalonia, Lourdes has heavy Spanish influences in her cooking.
She always explores new cookbooks and hopes her broad palate will be an asset on the show.
Nat Thaipun, 28 – Barista, Vic
Nat, an Australian-born Thai woman, grew up around food as her mother Nutsiree ran a Thai restaurant in Melbourne.
She has worked as a barista in Switzerland, Japan and New Zealand over the past seven years, and is now ready for a new challenge.
Snezana Calic, 40 – Financial Services, VIC
Snezana was born in Croatia and moved to Serbia as a child and is influenced by Mediterranean and Serbian flavours.
Hoping to change her career path with the show, Snezana dreams of running her own rural, home-style café.
Stephen Dennis, 62 – Tour Guide, QLD
Stephen has dreamt of joining MasterChef for 16 years and is the oldest contender of the 2024 series.
A self-taught cook, Stephen's favourite cuisines are Japanese and French and he hopes to impress in the MasterChef kitchen.
Sumeet Saigal, 46 – NSW
Growing up in Bangalore, India, Sumeet has fond memories of watching her parents host dinner parties for their friends.
Her biggest influence was her paternal grandfather Darji, and she hopes to show how versatile Indian food can be on MasterChef.
