RECAP | Callum Hann and Laura Sharrad will face off in the MasterChef Australia: Back To Win grand final after a dramatic semi-final saw Jamie Fleming eliminated.
MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2025 has locked in its grand final showdown, with Callum Hann and Laura Sharrad emerging from a tense and, at times, controversial semi-final to face off for the title and a $250,000 prize. Queensland’s Jamie Fleming was the last to leave the competition, ending his most successful run on the show to date.
The penultimate episode, which aired on Monday night, placed the final three in one of the toughest service challenges in the series: designing and executing a three-course menu for 20 guests and four judges. It was a familiar battleground for Callum and Laura, both of whom have competed in multiple semi-finals in past seasons. For Jamie, who placed fourth in Season 6, this was uncharted territory.
Reflecting on his opportunity, Jamie said the semi-final was a goal he had long chased.
“There are certain things that are uniquely MasterChef… that concept of limited time, three courses in that environment, and to feed that many people is something so unique, and something I really wanted,” he said.
Once I got into the semi-final I definitely started to think about and imagine my partner, Clare, and the kids up on the gantry supporting me.”
Jamie entered the cook with an ambitious concept: each course inspired by a single colour. His entrée, Gold, showcased golden beetroot in multiple preparations. The main, Ruby, paired duck with blackberries, while dessert, Tawny, featured roasted cauliflower ice cream alongside a chocolate crémeux. It was a bold plan that drew immediate attention from viewers. “Jamie’s entrée with the golden colours was just beautiful – I think it was my favourite today,” one fan wrote. Another commented that his Yellow dish “was the only one that wowed me” in the semi-final.
However, the complexity of the menu came at a cost. Time slipped away, forcing last-minute adjustments and the removal of some planned components. While the judges praised Jamie’s creativity and flavour combinations, technical faults in the dessert proved decisive. “Even though the disappointment was there, I was still proud of what I did,” Jamie said afterwards.
The decision to eliminate Jamie prompted vigorous discussion online, with many questioning the consistency of feedback from the judging panel. Some pointed to remarks that Jamie’s dessert lacked texture, despite Callum’s final course also having “only liquid and cream elements” but being lauded as “perfection.” Others suggested the result should have hinged on the main course, arguing that “Callum’s entrée was flawed and Jamie’s dessert lacked texture… I just don’t get this inconsistency.” One viewer summed it up bluntly: “For me, at the end, it really should have been a blind taste.”
Callum Hann, who has been a fixture in multiple seasons, previously placed second in Season 2 and fourth in Season 12. He also won MasterChef Australia All-Stars in 2012. Despite early concerns about his entrée, he recovered with a strong main and dessert. It was his behaviour after the decision, however, that won over many watching at home. “Callum is such a class act,” one viewer said. “He was wonderful for acknowledging Jamie’s efforts instead of jumping with glee.” Another added: “That made me tear up. His kids and wife are so lucky to have him.”
Laura Sharrad, a runner-up in Seasons 6 and 12, continued her signature approach of highlighting native Australian ingredients — a style praised by the judges for its skill and depth of flavour. “Balancing and layering those flavours requires skill,” one supporter posted. However, her repeated use of certain elements, such as saltbush, sorrel, citrus, yoghurt sorbet and Davidson plum granita, divided audiences. “She uses the same five or six ingredients in every cook… she is not at all creative… and she is always rewarded for that,” one critic argued. Others defended her, with a fan countering, “Her whole image and cooking style are showcasing native Australian ingredients… that alone is an impressive feat.”
Beyond the dishes, the semi-final reignited debate about the Back To Win format itself. Several fans argued that pitting experienced restaurant chefs against returning contestants with less professional training undermined the show’s original concept of spotlighting amateur cooks.
“It almost felt like a Professionals against Amateurs season,” one post read. Another agreed, saying: “The fact that this finale was predicted from Day One is a bit disappointing.” Some hoped the program would return to its original amateur-only format in future seasons.
Despite disagreements over the road to the grand final, most viewers agreed that both finalists had proven themselves throughout the season. “Laura vs Callum… both very talented and competitive. Whoever’s day it is will win,” one fan wrote. Another offered a more partisan view: “I want Callum to win… factoring in all the creative dishes he’s made and how humble he is, it’s just really beautiful.” Still, the predictability of the outcome was hard to ignore for some.
“We would have called this final two within the first week,” one post read, while another observed: “Back To Win is so pathetic anyway. No suspense.” Others, however, welcomed the clash between two of the series’ most consistent cooks. “Go, Laura. Go, Callum. Whoever wins truly deserves it,” one viewer declared.
Callum for the win
Your kindness and moral compass shine with the respect you show to your fellow competitor. Follow your dream Calum. Be proud of your achievements and the thoughtfulness you bring when interacting with others.
Lesley Wall very humble words from Callum to Jamie a true winner
Lesley Wall ❤️❤️
Callum all the way
Calium deserves the win but Andy literally froths over miss green ants in her pants
Drew MW of course he does
real
Drew MW your disgusting.
Judy Walker your repugnant
Wow….who saw that coming! rigged 😡😡
Lesley Jones Agee 💯
So rigged 😡😡
Laura cooked steak last week with potatoes. This week exactly the same except it was mash!!!! Really???
She also blew all over it to put the flames our.
Ross Coates Has anyone heard of using one of those hand fans
Ross Coates but along with the tears, it was also ‘Jocks’ mash……makes a difference, apparently 🥴😵💫
Lesley Jones I’ve never put jocks in my mash lol . Pretty sure mash was discovered pre jock too lol
Drew MW but not the way Jock showed Laura how to make
Lesley Jones bet she put a few ants in too just for the hell if it
Drew MW and if she did Andy and Poh would have been in absolute raptures about it. Time for blind judging
Lesley Jones I think it has to be professionals that judge ex contestants not other ex contestants. The relationships are too questionable
Drew MW agreed, but it won’t happen 😣
Ross Coates yes Ross should have been eliminated!
Ross Coates She is forever blowing She has been picked to win from day one
Sadly the person who deserves to win won’t. It’s been rigged from the beginning.
Helen Phillips you are one crazy person so your favorite didn’t get through boo hoo the 2 finalists are very worthy of being there.
Judy Walker
My favorite is still there. Boohoo
We all know who’s gonna win. They’ve been pushing her to win since the start. That’s why I’ve stopped watching.
Martin Marapas shut up then.
Martin Marapas if she wins it will be my last masterchef and I’ve watched them all!
Anna Pastuchdito
Anna Pastuch goodbye Felicia
Who gives a toss
Really the shows gone to the pits
Janice Weekes Doherty go and watch something else that’s what remotes are for.
Those bloody green ants can help you win.. !! And what a shock Laura in the final . Now who would have guessed it . Ah maybe most. So predictable!!
Look out tonight we might get Red Ants??? So biased it has become farcical. Poh and Sofia school girl crush is sickening and as for Andy and Laura keeping referring to Jock is twisted! Jean Christophe has been the only true judge. He is the one who knows who got robbed because of favouritism! Namely Sarah and Depinder among others. Come on Callum do us proud, and even if Laura wins we know who the true genius is in the kitchen, and a great human.
It seams to me like Laura is trading on her relationship with Jock. This clearly clouds Andy’s ability to be an unbiased judge . It really calls into question the ethics of having ex Masterchef cooks being judged by ex Masterchef cooks .
low ratings tonight nobody interested in favouritism
Bad luck Jamie
Love Callum Laura Sharrad is my favourite for the win 🏆 outstanding 👨🍳 chef👏👏👏👏👏👏
Sorry Callum but you won by miles great chef keep going strong u awesome
Callum should have won round one of the grand final. His dish was so creative, conceptually better.
Margaret van Dommele you tasted it for yourself ?
Carol Mcmutrie judges said it was good.
Margaret van Dommele that dosent mean his was better
Well most likely she will win must be related to Reggie always cries to win
Well she won but of course cry and u will
The bullies are at it again !!
Jamie should have won.
LAURA DOESNT DESERVE THE WIN.SHE CRYS AND GETS HER PLACE IF SHE WINS ITS ALL FAVOURATION.CALLUM DESERVES THE WIN THERE WERE BETTER COOKS THSN LAURA SHE DOESNT DESERVE THIS 8S FAVOUR THESE JUDGES HAS TO BE CHANGED ITS ALL FAVOURATION.SHE CRIES AND GET HER PLACE VERY VERY UNFAIR.THERE WERE BETTER COOLS.THAN LAURA