The MasterChef veteran reveals how the show impacted her career

When Audra Morrice stepped back into the MasterChef Australia building, memories and nerves came rushing back.

“The day I walked into the kitchen, it all came flooding back to me how incredible this experience was the first time around,” smiles the Singapore-born, Sydney-based foodie, 54. “The impact of it changed my life.”

After finishing third in season four in 2012, the mum-of-two went from telecommunications to a TV career, becoming a judge on MasterChef Singapore and MasterChef Asia, as well as running her own catering company.

“Season four led me to the understanding of my role as a custodian of culture,” she shares. “It made me proud of my Southeast Asian roots and determined to showcase them.”

Despite her judging experience, Audra insists it didn’t ease her nerves as a contestant this time around.

“Everybody thinks being a judge gives you a leg up, but it doesn’t,” she laughs. “When you’re in the MasterChef kitchen, there’s no time for planning – you’re on your toes.”
The talented cook is now a judge on two MasterChef shows.
Returning to compete, Audra brings her signature vibrant mix of Southeast Asian flair and infectious humour to the kitchen, and she’s motivated by her passion for cultural cuisine. Her favourite food is the Peranakan cuisine that the South Chinese settlers brought to the Malay region.

“I want to peel off the layers and then present them to you,” she says. “This is what we eat, how we eat and also why we eat it.”

This Back To Win season of MasterChef throws contestants into intense challenges immediately, including one overseen by the iconic Gordon Ramsay, who is the first guest judge of the season.

“I reckon I lost about six kilos in that one challenge alone,” jokes Audra. “He puts us all through the wringer!”