It’s only been one week of MasterChef Australia 2026 and fans have already decided on a fan-favourite that their backing to go all the way. While conversations around who people want to win don’t usually start until later in the competition, fans are more excited than ever for this season, so much so that they’re already starting to pick sides.
This season of MasterChef Australia will see 24 home cooks battle it out in the kitchen for the crown, facing challenges and showing off their talent to this years’ returning judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Sofia Levin.
While the list of contestants is certainly fierce, with a range of culinary backgrounds and passions on full display, it’s honestly hard to decide who will have what it takes to survive the pressure and come out on top.
But fans already have a competitor that they’re rooting for, and it’s MasterChef Australia’s youngest ever competitor: Luke Harris.
Despite being the youngest, fans have their reasons for why this budding cook has caught their attention.
Who is Luke Harris?
Luke Harris, 19, is the competition’s youngest competitor.
Hailing from Western Australia, his parents were both strong cooking influences for Luke, teaching him everything he knows.
He’s also learnt from both his grandmothers, and his idols (Gordan Ramsay, Poh Ling Yeow and Jamie Oliver) gave him his ambition.
When vying for a spot in the top 24, Luke started bold by cooking up a bombe alaska in just 90 minutes for his dish to impress the judges, one that Jean-Christophe Novelli described as “a risk, on a day like today.”
However, his risk paid off, and when the judges cut into that dessert, the inside was perfect and the flavours were “delicious”, Poh said.
Why is he the fan-favourite?
After that incredible bombe alaska moment, fans could not get enough of this young chef.
“It’s looking be a great contest and Luke with his flaming Bombe A was very impressive!” one fan wrote.
As well as his outstanding cooking performance, fans like Luke because of just how much he knows at such a young age.
“So glad the 19 year old got through,” another viewer said online. “I think he is amazing for his age.”
“He’s so keen and knowledgeable for his age… he deserves a go!” another fan wrote.
MasterChef Australia is all about celebrating the unexpected gift of cooks, who before entering this nationally televised show, would only share their talents with family and friends in the four walls of their home.
Now, they have a chance to shine, and it’s looking like Luke will be just the competition to beat.
Who is the first celebrity cameo on MasterChef Australia 2026?
Cold Chisel Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes and his wife Jane are some of the first celebrity cameos to make an appearance on the show this year.
In a teaser for the episode that airs on Sunday, April 16, Jimmy unveils a mystery ingredient that the contestants have to incorporate into their dishes in record time.
It’s going to be electric!
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