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MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2025 – Who Has Been Eliminated?
The high-stakes culinary battle on MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2025 is well underway, and the pressure in the famed kitchen has never been higher. As returning favourites from seasons one through sixteen go head-to-head for the coveted title and a generous $250,000 cash prize, each challenge sees applause, heartbreak, and at the end of every elimination, a tough goodbye.
Let’s take a closer look at who has been eliminated so far, the circumstances behind their departures, and the culinary moments that defined their MasterChef journey.
Samira El Khafir (Episode 28, June 15)
On the latest episode, Samira El Khafir from season five bid farewell after an ambitious elimination challenge. Samira fused Malaysian flavours into a traditional Turkish kofta, serving up an eggplant chicken kofta that impressed for creativity but was held back by dry chicken—ultimately, an error too significant to ignore for the judges.
Darrsh Clarke (Episode 24, June 8)
Darrsh Clarke, known for both his charm and technical skills, said goodbye after a dessert challenge went sideways. His Pistachio Praline and Orange Blossom Crème Pâtissière Choux Tower suffered from a misstep in choux pastry technique—too much egg made the mixture heavy and led to a burnt bake, resulting in his elimination despite praise for ambition.
Tim Bone (Episode 20, June 1)
Fan favourite from season eleven and toastie master Tim Bone exited following a pressure test focused on “celebrating butter.” Tasked with perfecting a confit duck Maryland in a mere 75 minutes, Tim’s duck was unfortunately undercooked—a risk that didn’t pay off in the MasterChef pressure-cooker environment. Tim took to social media to express gratitude and shared plans to focus on his beloved toasties business (Tim’s Toasties Instagram).
Rue Mupedzi (Episode 17, May 27)
Rue Mupedzi—whose “BarbeRue” sauce previously grabbed headlines—fell short during Blayne Bertoncello’s dessert pressure test when multiple execution errors on the technical dish sent her home. Rue’s signature sweet skills unfortunately couldn’t rescue her on the night. Fellow contestant Laura described her as “incredible at what she does,” noting Rue should leave with her “head held very, very high.” You can read more about Rue’s journey and her sought-after BBQ sauce at Women’s Weekly.
Rhiannon Anderson (Episode 16, May 25)
It was a surf and turf challenge that spelled the end for Rhiannon, who prepared lobster wontons with beef broth. While the creativity was there, she too predicted that it might be her downfall—and the judges agreed after her dish failed to impress on depth of flavour.
Jimmy Wong (Episode 14, May 20)
Jimmy Wong, remembered from season eight, faced the dreaded Balloon Puppy Cake pressure test inspired by Steven He. An over-reduced cherry compote and an overpowering ganache on the technical challenge led to his departure, despite praise for taste and overall concept.
Matt Hopcraft (Episode 12, May 18)
Matt’s take on theatrical tableside service—The Rising Sun Bombe Alaska—couldn’t save him after a flat Italian meringue left judges underwhelmed. While he brought fire, the texture just wasn’t there, ending his run in the MasterChef kitchen.
Steph De Sousa (Episode 8, May 11)
Confident in her crispy pork belly with belachan caramel sauce and coleslaw, Steph ran into execution issues. The pork was thick and the fat under-rendered; the caramel sauce didn’t deliver the complexity judges sought, leading to her elimination.
Sav Perera (Episode 6, May 6)
A technical challenge from desserts legend Kirsten Tibballs demanded perfection with a caviar tin dessert. Sav forgot a critical refrigeration step, costing precious time and resulting in her early exit. Still, her creativity and perseverance were evident throughout the season.
Cath Collins (Episode 4, May 4)
As the very first to leave MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2025, Cath prepared Japanese-style mushrooms with smoky soy and shiso sauce. However, inconsistency and burnt pieces undermined the dish, a tough lesson in technique and timing at this level of competition.
Understanding MasterChef’s Elimination Process
Each week, returning legends from previous seasons face off across an intense schedule: rapid-fire Mystery Box rounds, star-studded immunity cook-offs, and daunting pressure tests. The stakes are raised by the presence of judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli, each demanding nothing short of brilliance, innovation, and flawless execution. Explore more about this season’s competition format and the returning cast on Pedestrian TV’s MasterChef coverage.
Despite their talent and charisma, even the greatest home cooks risk elimination on any given night when technical errors or misjudged flavours arise. This competitive intensity and unpredictability are what keep MasterChef Australia’s viewers on the edge of their seats season after season. For a detailed elimination chart and a full contestant roster, you can check the official MasterChef Australia Wikipedia page.
What’s at Stake This Season?
Beyond the glory of redemption and a second shot at the crown, the ultimate winner will secure a life-changing $250,000 and cement their place amongst the show’s celebrated alumni—a goal every contestant is chasing with passion and tenacity. Catch new episodes on Channel 10 and 10Play.
Whether you’re rooting for your old favourites or discovering new culinary icons, MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2025 promises drama, inspiration, and—of course—plenty of mouthwatering food along the way.
