Every contestant that’s been eliminated from MasterChef Australia
We’re sad to see them go!
MasterChef Australia is one of the most wholesome reality shows on our screens in 2026.
Twenty-four new cooks were chosen from 40 by judges Andy Allen, Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin.
Now, they’re cooking their best in the hopes of making it to the end to claim the life-changing $250,000 prize and the show’s title.
But sadly, not everyone will make it to the end, with fan favourites being eliminated from the competition.
Find out who has left the competition below.
Who has left MasterChef Australia 2026?
01. Olaolu Olorunnimbe (34, New South Wales, Brand Consultant)
One week after he won $10,000 for his deeply personal dish, Olaolu was eliminated from the show.
Tasked with showcasing perfect pairs, he chose coconut and pineapple, but the judges said his Breakfast Trifle missed the mark.
In the end, it was between him and 19-year old Luke Harris, but Olaolu’s dessert couldn’t save him.
“It’s safe to say it wasn’t my finest work!” he exclusively told New Idea after his elimination.
“I was spooked because I ran out of time during yesterday’s cook, and so I picked a concept that I knew I could get done in time, but wasn’t quite right, in hindsight.”
The judges were also sad to see him go, with Jean-Christophe Novelli kissing him on the cheek before he left.
Reflecting on his elimination, he told New Idea that all of the judges had a lasting impact on him.
“As ex-contesants, both Andy and Poh have a knack for pinpointing exactly where and why a cook went well or badly,” he continued.
” Sofia’s culinary knowledge is incredibly broad and deep, and Jean-Cristophe’s technical advice is next level, and he’s super encouraging.”
When asked about his plans after the show, he revealed that he hoped to do some food pop-ups.
“It would be cool to combine Nigerian flavours with some of the things I picked up during the competition and share it with anyone who’s interested,” he shared.
02. Miin Wei Looi (52, Victoria, Communications Strategist)
Throughout the competition, Miin was passionate about showcasing his Malaysian heritage.
Unfortunately, he was sent home during nostalgia week, where the contestants were tasked with showcasing their family trees.
His Kiam Chye Ark soup, which is incredibly close to his heart, had under-cooked duck and his broth lacked seasoning.
Sadly, time got the better of him, and he had to ditch his noodles and served rice, which the judges said was not necessary.
Watching it all back, he told New Idea that it was “one of the most emotional challenges of the season”.
“While I was at-peace to watch it back, I felt emotional remembering how emotional everyone was seeing our childhood photos,” he explained.
It was hard to walk away from the competition and the friends he made, who affectionately called him “Uncle Miin”.
“I think ‘Uncle Miin’ just came to being thanks to Emily,” he told us when asked about the sweet nickname.
“I guess in Asian culture it’s a term of respect for someone older. It’s really cute actually that I became everyone’s ‘uncle’.
“The bonds, the friendships and the memories are what I’ll cherish most from this experience. I wouldn’t trade that for anything else.”
He also assured New Idea that this won’t be the last we see of him, and that he’ll be back on his Instagram page promoting his food.
But he also shared something else he has in the pipeline.
“[I’ll] hopefully spend time trying to put together a range of sauces and stuff that my wife Melysa has been asking me to do for the longest time,” he exclusively shared.
03. Lucy Mansfield (24, Queensland, Web Designer)
While she felt calm cooking Rosheen Kaul’s intricate Chou Farci, unfortunately, Lucy’s elements were perfect and sent her home.
Even though it was the dish that sent her home, she exclusively told New Idea which challenge she’d never do again.
“You might think it was my pressure test elimination, but I actually loved that cook even though the outcome wasn’t the best!” she shared with us.
“I’d probably happily never do the cereal invention test again though, it was fun but I don’t think I need to reinvent the wheel twice.”
In saying that, she said her favourite dish that she made was her Fakeaway Noodles from the Quick Carbs challenge, which were picked as one of the top dishes of the day.
The moment made her feel like she “belonged” in the competition.
Despite being the seventh contestant to be sent home, she told New Idea that she learned a lot.
“One of the pieces of advice that has stayed with me the most came from Poh during the Top 40 auditions, after I undercooked my duck,” she explained.
“She read me like a book, and told me that I needed to trust my instincts and back myself when I know something isn’t right. It was a really important lesson early on in the competition and something I never forgot throughout my time in the MasterChef kitchen.
She also revealed that she has relocated from Queensland back to her hometown, Adelaide, and is keen to immerse herself in the city’s food scene.
“I’ll also definitely be continuing to share my journey on social media, with lots of recipes and fun content along the way, probably with some familiar MasterChef faces!” she teased.
While we have seen the contestants bond in the kitchen, she revealed that she held off-camera memories close to her heart as well.
“One of my favourite memories was in our accommodation,” she explained.
“Grace had baked this beautiful choccy cake and managed to drop it on the floor of Luke & Petro’s place. We actually all ended up eating it off the floor, a bit yucky but it was way too delicious to waste!”
04. Kanika Gadyok (35, New South Wales, IT Analyst)
Unfortunately for Kanika, her journey on the show came to an end during ‘Around the World Week’.
During the challenge, she was tasked with transporting the judges to Mexico, and had to hero corn in her dish.
Unfortunately, time got the better of her. Her Mexican Prawn and Corn Tacos with corn done three ways did not hit the brief.
While she didn’t produce any tortillas, her other elements were also not up to scratch.
Jean-Christophe Novelli said it was hard to say goodbye, and made her promise to continue cooking.
“It’s just been an incredible journey,” she explained. “So much exposure to the world of food.”
“This is not the last time you’re seeing me,” she assured. “I’m not going to stop here.”
05. Alita Harvey Rodriguez (40, Victoria, Chief Operating Officer)
Unfortunately, her dish, which the judges said had too many ideas and was not executed perfectly, sent her home on May 11.
Even though she was sad that her time in the competition was over, she wanted to keep her passion for cooking alive.
“I loved the opportunity to push myself and to see how good a cook I really can be,” she shared.
“I’m gonna miss this place so much.
“I’m feeling content with everything I’ve done so far. I’m really proud of myself, and I’m gonna keep cooking, and I just want to keep exploring this creative side of me that I love so much.”
06. Bella Di Conza (20, Victoria, Agriculture Student)
Bella has a passion for making desserts, but sadly, her ambitious Apple and Cinnamon Entremet was not executed to perfection, and thus sent her home.
During the May 6 episode, the contestants in black aprons were tasked with making dishes cherished by their families.
With only 75 minutes to cook, the 20-year-old’s presentation and elements let her down.
While she was devastated, the judges were also emotional when they said goodbye to her.
Sofia Levin praised her cooking for being “well-beyond” her years.
“Bella, I just want to say your ambition, your tenacity, your grit, your determination, your ability to just push through an extreme pressure… You are one of a handful of people that have those attributes in absolute spades,” Andy Allen shared.
Former contestant and judge Poh Ling Yeow tearfully said she was “so heartbroken for her”, which also made Bella cry.
“You are so young and you have so much talent,” Poh said through tears.
“I know you’re going to be a superstar, and I want you to promise me that you’re not going to let this moment define you, it’s actually what you do after this,” she continued, before inviting her to hug the judges.
Speaking exclusively with New Idea, she said it was “tough” to watch the episode back, but it gave her closure.
“It was also really nice to see the incredible dishes my fellow contestants cooked that day – especially since you barely notice what anyone around you is cooking when you’re in the moment,” she shared.
“As sad as I was to go, I feel so grateful the rest of them got to spend more time in the competition. I’m in awe of everyone’s talent.”
Despite that, she said she was “touched” by the judges’ comments.
“I’m so grateful for how much they truly cared,” she told us.
“Poh reminded me that this is just the beginning and it’s all about what I do from here. I think about that regularly, and it’s given me a lot of optimism for my future.”
While she was proud of the dishes she served, she said if she had the chance to compete again, she’d cook more of her Nonna’s traditional recipes.
As for what’s next?
She plans to get her long-time project of consolidating all of her Nonna’s recipes into a cookbook off the ground.
The student also said that she planned to keep making desserts, and wanted to see where that took her.
07. Belinda Gosden (56, Western Australia, Education Administrator)
Being a part of the show was a dream come true for Belinda, but sadly, her journey came to an end on May 4.
Tasked with whipping up a family favourite in 36 minutes using one of the judge’s hacks.
Unfortunately, Belinda’s burger sent her home.
Despite being sad that her journey had come to an end, she was thankful.
“It’s been fantastic,” she said.
“I’ve been watching MasterChef since series one, and now I’m on the show, so you know, dream accomplished. I’ve learned that I would like to now take my cooking to another level. I don’t think you’re ever too old to start again. I’ve had eight career paths, so let’s make number nine.”
08. Jeff Lam (47, Victoria, Print Production Technician)
The bottom five cooks from the Invention Test battled it out to stay in the competition on Wednesday, April 29.
They faced off in a Pressure Test set by MasterChef‘s Maggie Beer, having to master her signature sour cream pastry to stay in the competition.
Sadly for Jeff Lam, he was ranked at the bottom of the table and was sent home, ending his MasterChef journey.
MasterChef superfan Jeff had applied for the show several times before making it into the kitchen.
09. Megs Steel (40, Queensland, HR Consultant)
For Megs, earning a white apron on MasterChef Australia was a dream come true. With a love for catering, she always dreamed of opening a small restaurant called “Megs Place”.
Sadly, her time in the kitchen was short-lived, and she was the first contestant to be eliminated from the kitchen.
Tasked with creating a dish that represents who they are at home, Megs bit off more than she could chew, and sadly, her prawns were undercooked.
“I’m absolutely gutted, but I’ve taken so much, I’ve learned from everyone here, so I just really wanted to thank you all, it was everything I hoped and a million times more,” she shared after she was eliminated.
While all the judges were sorry to see her go, Poh said they loved having her in the kitchen, and they couldn’t wait for her restaurant to open.
“I’m definitely heartbroken that I didn’t get to stay longer,” Megs said quietly in a confessional, adding that she was “sad” that she didn’t get enough time to showcase her skills.
“I’m extremely grateful; this is a place where dreams are made of, and I had that for a short time.”