MasterChef Australia series 12
| Company type | Television series season |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | April 13, 2020 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo (judges) |
| Products | Reality cooking competition |
| Website | 10play |
The twelfth installment of the Australian culinary competition show MasterChef Australia, named MasterChef: Back to Win, debuted on 13 April 2020 on Network 10. This season introduced a new panel of judges: Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, and Jock Zonfrillo, who succeeded the former judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, and Matt Preston.
Featuring 24 returning contestants from the previous eleven seasons, the participants vied for the prestigious 'MasterChef' title along with a cash prize of A$250,000. Although initial applications for fresh contestants opened in May 2019, the focus shifted exclusively to inviting high-achieving former competitors.
The competition reached its conclusion on 20 July 2020, with Emelia Jackson emerging victorious over Laura Sharrad in the final episode.
Changes
In 2019, the original judging trio—Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, and Matt Preston—departed and were replaced by Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, and Jock Zonfrillo. The show's structure was modified: Mondays featured a Team Challenge, where the losing team faced elimination in Tuesday's Pressure Test; Wednesdays showcased a Mystery Box challenge; Thursdays held an Immunity Challenge, granting safety to one contestant; Sundays hosted the All-In Elimination Challenge. Only one Immunity Pin was awarded throughout this season, which went to Dani Venn in the premiere episode. Starting 14 June, episodes aired three times weekly—Monday (Mystery Box), Tuesday (Immunity Challenge), and Sunday (All-In Elimination).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, production adhered to stringent government protocols including social distancing measures, individual plating for judges, glove use when handling ingredients, reduced crew presence, and minimized external challenges or guest appearances. These safety protocols were implemented from 25 May 2020 onward. Unlike earlier seasons, no opportunity was given mid-season for previously eliminated contestants to re-enter the competition.
Contestants
The lineup of 24 returning competitors was revealed on 19 February 2020. Several notable former participants such as Derek Lau, Sarah Todd, and Alvin Quah declined invitations to return. In March 2020, Ben Ungermann exited the show due to unrelated legal matters; his withdrawal was officially confirmed on 17 May 2020 after most charges against him were dropped.
| Contestant | Age | State | Occupation | Original Series | Previous Season Placing |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emelia Jackson | 30 | VIC | Cake Designer & Chef | Template:Sort | 3rd | Winner 20 July |
| Laura Sharrad | 24 | SA | Chef & Restaurateur | Template:Sort | Runner-up | Template:Sort |
| Reynold Poernomo | 26 | NSW | Chef & Restaurateur | Template:Sort | 4th | Template:Sort |
| Callum Hann | 30 | SA | Restaurateur & Culinary Educator | Template:Sort | Runner-up | Template:Sort |
Notes
Future Appearances
- Emelia Jackson returned as a guest judge for the Mystery Box Challenge on Junior MasterChef Australia (series 3).
- Emelia appeared again as a guest judge during the first Mystery Box challenge of the subsequent season; additionally, Reynold Poernomo, Callum Hann, and Poh Ling Yeow served as guest judges for elimination rounds; Laura Sharrad featured as a guest chef.
- Reynold took on judging duties during Series 14’s pressure test.
- Poh made a guest judge appearance in Series 15; Emelia also judged an elimination challenge that season.
- Both Reynold and Jess Liemantara competed in the Dessert Masters spin-off; Jess secured third place in November 2023 while Reynold finished as runner-up.
- In Series 16, Poh joined the judging panel; Emelia, Laura, Callum, Jess, Reece Hignell, Tessa Boersma, Khanh Ong, and Simon Toohey appeared as guest participants.
- Emelia and Reece participated in the second season of Dessert Masters, finishing as runner-up and fifth place respectively in November 2024.
- Laura and Callum are scheduled to compete once more in Series 17, marking their third attempt at winning.
Viewer accusations of partiality
Although the series was generally well-received, certain viewers voiced doubts on social media regarding possible partiality by the judges, especially concerning contestant Laura Sharrad. Laura had previously been employed at judge Jock Zonfrillo's restaurant for two years following her participation in Series 6, which led to suspicions of favoritism. Some critics pointed out Laura’s frequent use of pasta dishes, despite less than half of her meals featuring pasta. The judges' choice to grant Weekly Immunity to Laura instead of Poh during Episode 50 ignited controversy, with many believing Poh's dish was more deserving. Laura responded by highlighting the diversity in her culinary creations and noting that competing against her former employer added an extra layer of difficulty. Fellow contestant Emelia Jackson referred to the online backlash as "narrow-minded."
Further allegations were directed at the judges for their reluctance to eliminate popular contestants Poh Ling Yeow and Reynold Poernomo, which some perceived as a strategy to maintain viewer interest. The elimination of Tessa Boersma stirred debate, with claims suggesting bias towards Reynold. On the other hand, some supporters accused the finale of being "rigged" due to Reynold's absence.
Guests
| Week | Guest Chef/Celebrity | Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Gordon Ramsay Week) |
Gordon Ramsay | Series Premiere |
| Team Challenge | ||
| Challenge | ||
| Immunity Challenge | ||
| 2 | Louis Tikaram | MasterClass |
| 3 | Curtis Stone | Immunity Challenge |
| 4 (Suburban Week) |
Helly Raichura | Pressure Test |
| 5 (Twists Week) |
Darren Purchese | Pressure Test |
| Katy Perry | Immunity Challenge | |
| Jerry Mai | MasterClass | |
| Michael Weldon | ||
| 6 | Matt Stone | Team Challenge |
| Jo Barrett | ||
| Peter Gunn | Pressure Test | |
| Shannon Martinez | Mystery Box | |
| Josh Niland | Elimination Challenge | |
| 7 (Best Dish Week) |
Kirsten Tibballs | Immunity Challenge |
| 8 (Heats Week) |
Coşkun Uysal | Challenge |
| 9 | Benjamin Cooper | Pressure Test |
| Charlie Carrington | Elimination Challenge | |
| 12 | Phil Wood | Pressure Test |
| 13 | Matt Stone | Elimination Challenge |
| Jo Barrett | ||
| Shannon Martinez | ||
| Peter Gunn | ||
| Darren Purchese | ||
| Kirsten Tibballs | ||
| 14 (Finals Week) |
Gordon Ramsay | Mystery Box |
Elimination chart
| No. | Week | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Finals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immunity Challenge |
Dani (Immunity Pin) |
Callum Lynton Sarah C. |
Ben U. Khanh Laura Reynold Sarah T. |
Callum Jess Laura Sarah T. |
Amina Emelia Tracy |
Poh Reece Reynold Sarah T. Simon |
Jess Poh Reece Simon |
Brendan Emelia Khanh Simon |
Brendan Jess Khanh Poh Reynold |
Callum Khanh Poh |
Emelia Laura Poh Reece |
Brendan Callum Reece Tessa |
Callum Laura Poh |
Laura Poh Reynold |
Template:Font color fg=mediumslateblue text='''Emelia''' (Advanced to Semi-Final) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All-In Elimination Winner |
Ben M. |
Brendan |
Ben U. |
None |
Emelia |
None |
Khanh |
Brendan |
Brendan |
None |
Callum |
Emelia |
Emelia |
Template:Font color fg=limegreen text='''WINNER''' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Episodes and ratings
- Colour key
- – Peak viewership for the season
- – Lowest audience numbers during the season