The eighth series of the Australian cooking game show ''

MasterChef Australia ''MasterChef Australia'' is an Australian competitive cooking reality show based on the original British ''MasterChef (British TV series), MasterChef''. It is produced by Endemol Shine Australia and screens on Network 10. Restaurateur and ch ...

'' premiered on 1 May 2016 on

Network Ten Network 10 (commonly known as the 10 Network, Channel 10 or simply 10) is an Australian commercial television network. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paramount Global's Paramount Networks UK & Australia, UK & Australia division and is o ...

. All the judges from the previous series returned. This series was won by

Elena Duggan Elena Jo Duggan (born 1 June 1983) is an Australian cook. She is the winner of the 2016 series of ''MasterChef Australia''. Early life Duggan was born in Cooroy, Queensland, and attended Noosa District State High School. She then attended t ...

in the grand finale against Matt Sinclair, on 26 July 2016.

Contestants

Top 24

The first 19 contestants were announced on 1 May 2016. Cecilia Vuong was chosen having previously been selected in series six, as she withdrew that year before the competition started because of complications from a brain injury. A further 11 applicants were required to cook again the next day for the next four positions. The remaining seven cooks then competed for the final place. The competition includes two siblings for the first time in MasterChef Australia; Jimmy Wong and Theresa Visintin. Future appearance * In

Series 9 The ninth series of the children's television series '' Hi-5'' aired between 11 June 2007 and 10 August 2007 on the Nine Network Nine Network (stylised 9Network, and commonly known as Channel Nine or simply Nine) is an Australian commercial ...

appeared as a guest judge for a Mystery Box and an Invention Test Challenge, while Matt Sinclair appeared as guest chef for a team challenge. * In Series 10 Elena appeared at the auditions to support the top 50, while Sinclair appeared as a guest chef for an Immunity challenge and won against contestant Khanh Ong. Elena later appeared at the Semi finals service challenge as a guest along with Harry Foster, Elise Franciskovic, Mimi Baines, Trent Harvey, Heather Day, Nicolette Stathopoulos & Con Vailas. * In Series 11 Sinclair was one of the mentors for the Immunity Challenges, while Elena appeared at the team challenge in "Queensland Week" as a guest judge. * Harry appeared in Series 12 and was eliminated on April 28, 2020, finishing 21st. * In Series 15 Sinclair appeared as a guest team captain for a service challenge. * Jimmy Wong appeared in Series 17 and was eliminated on May 20, 2025, finishing 19th for the second time.

Guest chefs

Elimination chart

Episodes and ratings

; Colour key: : – Highest rating during the series : – Lowest rating during the series

References

{{MasterChef Australia MasterChef Australia 2016 Australian television seasons Television shows filmed in California