When it comes to MasterChef Australia‘s legends, you don’t get much more lovable than dessert queen, Jess ‘Lemon’ Liemantara.
Jess competed on MasterChef not once or twice but three times. Firstly, as a 19-year-old in season 12, then in the 2020 all-stars season and finally, Jess placed in the top three of Dessert Masters in 2023. Like other dessert geniuses, Reynold Poernomo and Emelia Jackson, Jess is known for her mind-bending pastry and dessert skills, exemplified in her French-inspired creations and macaron mastery.
This skill set made Jess the perfect pick as a MasterChef guest for Wednesday’s dessert battle. “We’ve called up a special friend to help us with this challenge,” grinned judge, Poh Ling Yeow. “She first entered the MasterChef kitchen dreaming of becoming a pastry chef. And now, she has her own pâtisserie… she is a powerhouse with desserts and we think she is as sweet as the desserts she makes.”
The contestants enthusiastically cheered Jess’s return to the MasterChef kitchen. A special moment soon unfolded between Jess and Poh, as they first crossed paths when they battled each other as all-stars in Back To Win in 2020. “She’s one of the hardest working contestants I’ve ever witnessed,” Poh said about her former competitor.
“I feel quite emotional having her here because she’s so young,” Poh said as she started to get teary. “I’ve seen her go through so much to get to where she is now.”
Hannah, Pat, Alyona and Bella slid into their white aprons as they had to battle Jess in a dessert challenge to win the coveted immunity pin, but it was Jess’ stunning ginger-infused dessert that reigned supreme. You come for the dessert queen, you best not miss!
MasterChef fans react to Jess Lemon returning to the show
As a beloved chef in the MasterChef fan community, viewers were thrilled to see Jess’ bubbly face return to their TVs.
“Missed her in the kitchen,” one fan wrote on Instagram, while another added, “I went to high school with Jess – she’s an incredibly kind and warm person, and it’s always really nice to see her doing so well.”
“So happy to see Jess back in the MC kitchen, I’ve missed her energy and positivity, let’s go girl,” wrote a third.
“I’m team [Jess], I hope she wins!” someone else shared.
“I am sad Bella or Hannah didn’t win the Immunity Pin, but it is lovely to see Jess Lemon again.
Jess Lemon tells WHO what it felt like to come back to MasterChef
In an exclusive chat with WHO, Jess admitted she didn’t realise her MasterChef appearance would be so warmly received. “I didn’t expect fans to be so excited for my return,” she said.
Jess can’t believe that some fans have followed her career since the moment she entered the MasterChef kitchen. “What’s even crazier is how so many have followed along my journey since I was 18 years old. Now at the age of 28, I have met so many of them and so many have made me feel like I’ve got mothers all over the world who treat me like their own daughter who’s all grown up.”
Despite being a seasoned pro at MasterChef, Jess admits she was a bundle of nerves when she was asked to return to compete in an immunity challenge. “Butterflies erupted in my stomach,” she said, sharing she felt an “anxious, tingly feeling” trickling down her back, her hands were sweating and her heart was racing.
Jess was surprised that the MasterChef environment could still make her “stomach churn even though there are no consequences” from her cook. “The exciting feeling never gets old, the nostalgic kitchen set up, pantry and aura the place gives is truly unmatched,” she added.
From starting her journey as a teenager with a passion for dessert to opening her own patisserie, Jess wanted to thank her supporters for helping her realise her food dreams.
“It’s been such an honour to be seen by so many people and I am so grateful for their love and support,” Jess said.
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