From the very moment, Brent Draper walked back into the MasterChef kitchen, two years on from his emotional departure, there was never any doubt that the 33-year-old would go far in the competition.
Throughout the season, there were emotional scenes as the father of one (soon to be two), continued to reflect on his mental health journey, sharing numerous emotional conversations about the topic with both his fellow contestants and judges.
Ultimately, his innovative culinary creations and extraordinary ability to transform ingredients into edible works of art saw him secure the title of Australia’s ‘MasterChef’ for 2023 – a most deserving champion.
WATCH NOW: Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren Fried encourages audiences to watch MasterChef finale. Article continues after video.
Taking to his Instagram shortly after his victory aired, Brent remained true to his roots, earnest in his celebrations.
“Far out….I did it,” Brent started the post.
“This is a big win but it isn’t just for me. Honestly, it’s for every single person who backed me, who reached out and shared their hard stuff and stories with me, it’s for all those who never gave up.”
“This win is for us and I couldn’t be happier than I am right now in this moment!!”
He then went on to give a “big thank you” to judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, before writing a touching tribute to the late Jock Zonfrillo who he dubbed as “the man who’s been the most influential” for his “food and mental health journey.”
“Jock. I’m gutted you’re not here mate and that we won’t get to have a scotch and celebrate this together – but just know that this win is for you. Thank you for the legacy you’ve left behind, for the memories and laughs, and just know that you’ll never ever be forgotten in our home ❤️”
Speaking with our sister publication WHO the morning after his on-screen win, Brent said it all felt rather “surreal.”
“It’s massive. It’s a surreal feeling. It’s obviously a very different journey, this one for me, then the normal sort of MasterChef journey for most people. So, to finally get there in the end, I’m just stoked and very proud.”
Whilst the season was jam-packed with numerous secrets and surprises, it was cooking alongside Jamie Oliver that was the icing on the cake for Brent.
“Having Jamie Oliver in the kitchen, that was a pinch-me moment. He is probably the most well-known chef [in the world] and he took us all in and just gave us everything. So that was a very big pinch-me moment.”
The Coles ambassador also opened up about one particular moment during the season that had a lasting impact on his cooking style.
“There was one cook with the family letter, and Jock had tears in his eyes when he was eating my food. You know, that is something that I probably won’t ever forget.”
“When you cook food, you know, you cook with emotion and when people eat, they eat with emotion. So seeing Jock tearing up while he’s eating and in a good way, it was really really special for me.”
Whilst winning MasterChef (and the cool $250k in prize money that comes with it) is an incredible achievement in itself, Brent says he’s only just getting started, with plans to release a cookbook sometime in the not-so-distant future.
“Obviously, my journey was a little bit different with my mental health and I think I need to keep pushing the conversation to break down the stigma. I’m trying to sort out a barbecue sort of cookbook with a little bit of a mental health twist,” Brent said.
“Maybe a mental health toolbox in the back, some stories, something so people can relate.”
