The competition in the MasterChef Australia kitchen is already heating up for 2026. Since the show’s premiere on Sunday, April 19, 40 budding home cooks were narrowed down to the top 24.
With challenges carried out under the watchful eyes of judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli, fan-favourites have already been declared by avid fans, and it’s safe to say we’re already committed to this season’s contestants and all the meals they have to serve.
From pressure tests, group tasks, mystery box and service challenges, contestants will be earning judges’ praise.
Here’s everything you need to know about how eliminations work and who’s been eliminated from MasterChef Australia 2026 so far!
When do eliminations for MasterChef Australia 2026 start?
While the first week of MasterChef Australia saw 40 contestants narrowed down to 24, the second week will be when eliminations begin.
All the contestants are safe… for now.
In past years, one contestant is eliminated each week.
As we start to say hello to celebrity cameos on our screens, we’ll also have to start saying goodbye to some of the 24 budding chefs we have come to know and love.
What’s different about this season of MasterChef Australia 2026?
While MasterChef Australia has always seen it’s fair share of celebrity cameos, with Robert Irwin, Jimmy and Jane Barnes, and Meghan Markle among the list this year, judge Andy Allen told WHO about an increase in new cameos that worked so well in previous seasons.
“Last year, we had Sooshi Mango come on, and it was a massive gamble for us because, at that time, they didn’t have their sandwich shop and they weren’t kind of known for loving food,” Andy told WHO, speaking of the comedy trio who have since become known for their food content.
“It was a bit of ‘people are just going to see through this and not know why they were there, and just take the piss out of it’, and it was our highest rating show of the whole season. And we have now lent into that — and without giving too much away, there will be guests that, you know, are found on social media, and yes, they obviously have a great relationship with food, and that’s their thing.”
This year, well-known food content creators will be making another appearance this year, causing excitement for contestants and fans, and showing just how wide and accessible the food world is in Australia.
Who knows, maybe some of these top 24 will build a following and come back as celebrity cameos in the future (final winner or not)!
Who has left MasterChef Australia 2026?
Eliminations haven’t started yet for 2026, but once a contestant cooks their final meal this year, we’ll let you know.
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