MasterChef Australia series 15
The fifteenth series of the Australian cooking game show MasterChef Australia premiered on 7 May 2023 on Network 10 and concluded on 16 July 2023.
The series was originally announced at Paramount's and Network 10's upfronts in October 2022. Subtitled Secrets & Surprises, the season featured 18 contestants, with 17 new to the show. Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, and Jock Zonfrillo returned to the show as judges from the previous season. The series was originally scheduled to premiere on 1 May 2023. However, following Zonfrillo's death on 30 April, the premiere was postponed until 7 May. Filming of the season had been completed in March 2023 and was thus unaffected by the death of Zonfrillo. The premiere was preceded by a special edition of The Sunday Project that paid tribute to Zonfrillo.
The series was won by Brent Draper, who previously appeared in series 13 but withdrew for mental health reasons.
Changes
Compared to previous seasons, series 15 featured 18 contestants instead of the typical 24. Like the previous season, the season omitted the broadcast of the audition stage.Subtitled Secrets & Surprises, this season saw a secret or surprise revealed to the contestants in every episode. One example was the introduction of a surprise "second chance apron", which was won by the winner of the first challenge in the season and kept secret from the rest of the contestants; it allowed the contestant to come back from elimination and compete for re-entry at the next elimination challenge.
Weekly immunity challenge winners had a chance to win an immunity pin by winning a cook-off against a professional chef. The winner was determined with a blind tasting by the judges, while Shannon Bennett mentored the contestants.
This was the first season not to feature any MasterClasses.
Contestants
The full cast was announced on 23 April 2023. Former contestant Brent Draper, who withdrew from series 13 citing mental health concerns, returned as a contestant for the season.| Contestant | Age | State/Terr | Occupation | Status |
| Brent Draper | 32 | QLD | Digital content creator | Winner 16 July |
| Rhiannon Anderson | 47 | QLD | Administration manager | |
| Declan Cleary | 24 | NSW | Carpenter | |
| Theo Loizou | 37 | VIC | Electrician | Eliminated 11 July |
| Cath Collins | 54 | VIC | Administration manager | Eliminated 9 July |
| Malissa Fedele | 28 | SA | Nutritionist | Eliminated 2 July |
| Rue Mupedzi | 30 | WA | Oral health therapist | Eliminated 27 June |
| Adi Nevgi | 31 | VIC | Doctor | Eliminated 25 June |
| Ralph Kahango | 32 | WA | Auditor | Eliminated 20 June |
| Antonio Cruz Vaamonde | 34 | NSW | Software developer | Eliminated 18 June |
| Grace Jupp | 24 | VIC | Olive producer | Eliminated 13 June |
| Phil Conway | 33 | VIC | Fitness studio manager | Eliminated 11 June |
| Robbie Cooper | 65 | NT | Youth support worker | Eliminated 4 June |
| Alice Han | 29 | NSW | Economic researcher | Eliminated 30 May |
| Amy Tanner | 26 | VIC | Medical administrator | Eliminated 28 May |
| Larissa Sewell | 38 | SA | Stay-at-home mum | Re-eliminated 23 May Returned 21 May Eliminated 16 May |
| Jessica Perri | 35 | VIC | Optometrist | Eliminated 21 May |
| Andrea Puglisi | 36 | WA | Rope access technician | Eliminated 14 May |
Future appearances
- In Series 16 Declan Cleary, Theo Loizou, Adi Nevgi, Grace Jupp, Phil Conway, Amy Tanner and Jessica Perri appeared as guests for the 1st Service challenge.
- Declan & Theo along with Rhiannon Anderson, Cath Collins and Rue Mupedzi appeared in Series 17. Cath was eliminated on 4 May 2025, finishing 23rd. Rhiannon was eliminated on 25 May 2025, finishing 18th. Rue was eliminated on 27 May 2025, finishing 17th. Theo was eliminated on 24 June 2025, finishing 12th and Declan was eliminated on 29 June 2025, finishing 11th.
Guest chefs
| Week | Guest | Challenge |
| 1 | Jamie Oliver | Series premiere |
| 1 | Hugh Allen | Immunity challenge |
| 2 | Poh Ling Yeow | |
| 2 | Emelia Jackson | Elimination challenge |
| 2 | Sashi Cheliah, Matt Sinclair | Service challenge |
| 2 | Darren Robertson | Immunity challenge |
| 3 | Julie Goodwin | Elimination challenge |
| 3 | Eddie Stewart | Pressure test |
| 3 | Sergio Perera | Immunity challenge |
| 4 | Donato Toce | Pressure test |
| 4 | Gabriel Gaté | Immunity challenge |
| 5 | Jacqui Challinor, Brendan Katich, Lakhan Bhounsle | Mystery box challenge |
| 5 | Khanh Nguyen, Nicko Holloway, Christopher James, Melanie Shoona | Pressure test |
| 5 | Louis Tikaram, Ben Skelton, Mark Tumacder | Team challenge |
| 5 | Ross Magnaye, Leandro Miranda, Shane Stafford | Invention test |
| 6 | Rick Stein | Elimination challenge |
| 6 | Josh Niland | Mystery box challenge |
| 6 | Luke Nguyen | Pressure test |
| 6 | Curtis Stone | Service & immunity challenge |
| 7 | Maggie Beer | Elimination challenge |
| 7 | Nelly Robinson | Pressure test |
| 7 | Shannon Bennett | Service challenge |
| 7 | Kay-lene Tan | Immunity challenge |
| 8 | Clare Smyth | Pressure test |
| 8 | Blayne Bertoncello | Service challenge |
| 8 | Chase Kojima | Immunity challenge |
| 9 | Kirsten Tibballs | Elimination challenge |
| 10 | Peter Gilmore | Pressure test |
| 10 | Curtis Stone | Challenge |
| 10 | Shannon Bennett | Service challenge |
| Grand Finale | Amaury Guichon | Pressure test |