MasterChef Australia

Elena Duggan won the previous season of MasterChef Aus. Season 9 M-Net (*101) 17:45 Reality

Schoolteacher Elena Duggan has had her plate full since her 2016 victory in season 8 of MasterChef Australia (2009current). She’s prepared meals for the Dutch Royal couple, writes for a food magazine and regularly presents cooking classes. With season 9 sizzling onscreen from today, the 34-year-old spills secrets about her triumph and how winning MasterChef changes your life.

The stand-out moment in season 8 was you helping your final rival Matt Sinclair finish his last dish. We had gone through the whole process together [they met sharing a desk in the auditions]. Not to be proud of what you put forward would’ve been heartbreaking and that was my secret – to be proud of my work. I didn’t think helping Matt was a big deal until the day after the finale aired. I did 47 interviews that day and everyone asked me about that! You’re setting the Mystery Box Challenge in episode 4 this season. Any hints of what to expect? That would spoil the recipe fun. But I can tell you that it’s filled with my favourite ingredients, including pasta. You haven’t started a restaurant or a popup like some winners do. I have an idea to start a farm kitchen, but I haven’t found the perfect spot. I am mindful of wanting to start a family with my fiancé Eric Dedovic and this influences my future career decisions. I have taken a sabbatical from teaching for this year (2016). You’re also an advocate of gluten-free and sugar-free recipes… I am insulin resistant, therefore pre-diabetic. I want to live as long as possible, so I am determined to cook in a healthy way. I also realised how many other people suffer from the condition, so it made sense.