EXCLUSIVE: Cath Collins spills on how she managed her stress in the MasterChef kitchen.

MasterChef’s Cath Collins was eliminated in Sunday night’s episode. Photo: Channel 10

After finishing fifth in 2023 and bringing the “wow” factor to the competition, Cath Collins returned to the MasterChef kitchen this season as a self-proclaimed “wiser and calmer” cook. The mum-of-two was determined to showcase how her culinary skills have evolved while having more fun and feeling less pressure.

While her time was cut short in Sunday night’s episode when she became the first contestant this season to be eliminated, Cath tells Yahoo Lifestyle she feels “honoured” to have even been included in such an amazing lineup of MasterChef legends. She admits she was “surprised and delighted” when she got the call to return, and competing alongside her season 15 co-star and close friend Rhiannon Anderson was “the icing on the cake”.

“It just could not have been scripted any better. I had the comfort of Rhi by my side in the kitchen, and the pleasure of learning from the experienced MasterChef family,” she shares. “I thought I would have felt more intimidated by the other competitors than I did, [but] I felt welcome and deserving of my place in the competition.”

Cath says she returned to the competition with ‘some different strategies’ to stay calm in a stressful environment. Photo: Channel 10

Cath’s secret ritual during filming

Although she had spent plenty of time in the MasterChef kitchen two years earlier, Cath reveals the toughest part of her experience this time around was trying to balance her stress and “keep it under control”.

She says she came into the kitchen with a few tricks up her sleeve to stay calm, focused and stress-free in the high-pressure environment – none of which were shown on TV.

“I took in some different strategies this time round. I set a timer at my bench for every 15 minutes to remind myself to take a deep breath, relax and take it all in,” she details. “I put a lot of pressure on myself in my first season, so I really wanted to go into this season as a calmer cook.”

Cath launched her own food business, Cath’s Kitchen, following her appearance on the show in 2023. Photo: Channel 10

Cath’s post-show plans

Following her appearance on MasterChef in 2023, Cath stepped away from her family’s construction business and launched her own food business, Cath’s Kitchen. With a second MasterChef stint now under her belt, the 56-year-old is keen to continue spreading the joy of cooking.

“I run a variety of cooking classes, including intimate cooking classes in my own kitchen, all abilities cooking classes in the disability sector, and I’ve developed leadership and team-building workshops for businesses,” she shares.

“I also have two books that I’m working on. I’ve created a bubbles, beers, bruschetta series on social media, so I’d love to collate all of my bruschetta into a book. And I’ve been working on my ‘From how to WOW’ book since leaving the competition in season 15. I’m super excited about this project.”

Cath also looks forward to collaborating with small boutique wineries to match their wines with her bruschetta, and has an event planned at the Rahona Valley Winery on the Mornington Peninsula on May 25.

“MasterChef Australia has changed my life,” she remarks. “I will be forever grateful for the experience and the life that I’ve created as a result of being in the competition.”

MasterChef Australia: Back to Win continues Sunday at 7pm, and Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm on 10 and 10 Play.