The first elimination episode was an emotional one…

MasterChef Australia is back with a new season in 2025: Back to Win. As the name suggests, the show is bringing back fan-favourites and giving them another shot at the MasterChef title!

Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli are ready to judge the dishes, and the competition is sure to be fierce. However, even with all the talent amongst the cooks, there can only be one winner.

Here’s who has left the competition thus far in MasterChef Australia 2025: Back to Win:

Who has left MasterChef Australia 2025?  

The second person to leave the MasterChef kitchen is Cath Collins Credit: Channel 10

Cath Collins,54

Previous season: Season 15, 5th place

Everyone’s favourite fluent speaker of “Strayan” has left the MasterChef kitchen.

In the first elimination episode of the season, Cath unfortunately burned the important element of her dish. Resulting in the judges bidding her farewell.

The elimination challenge was to cook a dish that represents who they are now. Cath decided to demonstrate how much she has grown and so tackled a Japanese dish “with a Cath twist”. She used the hibachi grill to cook her delicate mushrooms, wanting to achieve some charring. However, unfortunately, many pieces were burned, and that burnt flavour overpowered the entire dish.

After the episode aired, Cath took to Instagram to share an emotive statement:

“Devastated that I have gone out on a dish that I love…cooking at home is so much easier with a glass of wine in my hand. Proud that I was brave and went back to MasterChef knowing how hard it was going to be. Grateful for meeting the MasterChef legends that I now call family…good luck everyone, I can’t wait to see what you do. I’m even more grateful for my beautiful family and friends. Thank you, darling Brad, Alex, Abby & Ted.”

She reminded her followers to cook with joy and “Remember to give yourself a hug.”

Pete Campbell, 40

Previous Season: 13 | Place: 2nd

Pete lost out on winning season 13 of MasterChef Australia by a measly one point. However, it wasn’t the end of his cooking career. The former tattoo artist dove headfirst into the industry and has since worked at some top spots around Sydney, including Peter Gilmore’s Quay restaurant and top Surry Hills eatery, Poly.

Backed by his wife Alana and daughters Scout, 12, and Lux, 9, Pete returned to the MasterChef kitchen for his second chance at the title. Alas, it was not to be.

In episode 3 of the season, judge Andy Allen announced that Pete was leaving for “personal reasons”. Pete had shared on his social media accounts back in January that he was undergoing cancer treatment, so we assumed it was related to that.

Pete confirmed this with a post on Instagram following that episode. In the caption he wrote: “Didn’t even get to cook for the judges! but you know what they say… “if you have cancer you should go get chemo” A massive thank you to everyone messaging and checking in, you’re all so nice X”
MasterChef: Back to Win recap: Pete has decided to leave the competition for “personal reasons”
Furthermore, Pete did an exclusive interview with Woman’s Day where he shared what was happening behind the scenes:

“The diagnosis was a complete shock”, he said in the interview. “I asked (kinda begged) the doctor if I could start treatment after the competition.

“She told me I’d possibly die and that’s when the severity of the situation really hit me and replaced the disappointment. From there I just wanted to start treatment as soon as possible and get better for my family.”

So Pete is focusing on his health and his family. But if the opportunity arises, he will definitely be back in the kitchen.

“This time around ended for me before it even began so I certainly feel like I have unfinished business in the MasterChef kitchen. If I’m lucky enough to get the opportunity again, I’ll take it.”