MasterChef Australia series 15

The fifteenth series of the Australian cooking game show MasterChef Australia premiered on 7 May 2023 on Network 10^[1] and concluded on 16 July 2023.

The series was originally announced at Paramount's and Network 10's upfronts in October 2022.^[2] Subtitled Secrets & Surprises, the season featured 18 contestants, with 17 new to the show. Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, and Jock Zonfrillo returned to the show as judges from the previous season.^[3] The series was originally scheduled to premiere on 1 May 2023.^[3] However, following Zonfrillo's death on 30 April, the premiere was postponed until 7 May. Filming of the season had been completed in March 2023 and was thus unaffected by the death of Zonfrillo. The premiere was preceded by a special edition of The Sunday Project that paid tribute to Zonfrillo.^[1]

The series was won by Brent Draper, who previously appeared in series 13 but withdrew for mental health reasons.

Compared to previous seasons, series 15 featured 18 contestants instead of the typical 24.^[3] Like the previous season, the season omitted the broadcast of the audition stage.

Subtitled Secrets & Surprises, this season saw a secret or surprise revealed to the contestants in every episode.^[4] One example was the introduction of a surprise "second chance apron", which was won by the winner of the first challenge in the season and kept secret from the rest of the contestants; it allowed the contestant to come back from elimination and compete for re-entry at the next elimination challenge.

Weekly immunity challenge winners had a chance to win an immunity pin by winning a cook-off against a professional chef. The winner was determined with a blind tasting by the judges, while Shannon Bennett mentored the contestants.

This was the first season not to feature any MasterClasses.

The full cast was announced on 23 April 2023.^[5] Former contestant Brent Draper, who withdrew from series 13 citing mental health concerns, returned as a contestant for the season.^[5]

Future appearances

• In Series 16 Declan Cleary, Theo Loizou, Adi Nevgi, Grace Jupp, Phil Conway, Amy Tanner and Jessica Perri appeared as guests for the 1st Service challenge.

Colour key:

  – Highest rating during the series

  – Lowest rating during the series