Billie McKay gained many fans – as well as a job in Heston Blumenthal’s London restaurant! – when she won the 2015 season of MasterChef.
Now, the talented chef is back in the kitchen for MasterChef: Fans & Faves, which sees her competing against her idol, inaugural winner Julie Goodwin. Here, Billie chats to New Idea all about her big return…
WATCH: MasterChef’s Julie Goodwin reveals what caused her mental breakdown
Why did you decide to return to MasterChef?
It was a gut feeling. I never thought I would consider cooking again in the MasterChef kitchen (the stress levels are real). But when the opportunity came up to return, I thought: “Yes, why not?”
How are you feeling about returning with so many past winners in the mix?
I am so excited to meet and cook with Julie Goodwin. I watched her win the first-ever season of MasterChef and have been a big fan ever since! It does, however, mean that the competition will be fierce.
You worked in Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant, how was that experience?
It was hard. It was also amazing. The days and nights were long, and while I am so grateful to have had that experience, it just wasn’t for me.
What have you been working on since returning to Australia?
My parents have a dairy farm on the Mid North Coast of NSW. After returning from England, I worked on the farm with my mum, dad, sisters and brother – a real family affair! It is so special to me to be able to work with family, especially after having a child of my own.
WATCH: The moment Billie McKay was crowned MasterChef’s 2015 winner
What personal milestones have you achieved since we last saw you on TV?
My now-husband Haydn and I got married in 2018 – it was a beautiful day. Haydn has been such an amazing support for me, both last time I did MasterChef and this one, too.
Though this time will be a tad harder – our daughter, Ada, one, will stay home with him while I go to Melbourne.
MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites premieres on Monday, 18 April at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play on demand.
The latest issue of New Idea is out now.
