MasterChef's first finalist over 50: 'We still have sparkles'

For MasterChef Australia finalist Anushka Zargaryan, reaching the blockbuster cooking series’ top six was nothing short of a dream come true.

It was also record breaking in fact, with Anushka, 50, becoming the oldest person to make it to the final stages of the competition - a fact she relishes.

“Sometimes [people over 50] see themselves as dying stars,” she tells Yahoo Lifestyle, “but no, we’re not.”

“We still have sparkles and big dreams and with hard work we can still do anything.”

Unfortunately for Anushka, her journey ended with Monday night’s elimination - but her time on MasterChef wasn’t much like she expected.

Behind the scenes

“It’s not what you see on TV, it’s more intense, it’s more real,” she tells us.

“The convictions that you make with people, the friendships that you form, it’s absolutely real - there’s no television factor in there.

“All of the support you see - that’s real, none of it’s produced.”

This support system Anushka references includes other contestants on the decade-long series, including onscreen pal Tim Bone, who she hopes will take home the crown.

“From the very beginning I’ve wanted Tim to win and I would still really like him to, but I think there’s a dark horse and that’s Larissa - who I think I might take it out,” she admits.

‘It’s not about cooking but rather, luck’

Following on from her elimination, Anushka has some timely advice for those still vying for this year’s title - and it comes from what she wished she would have known.

“I struggled with confidence throughout the competition and until last week I always had that doubt in my head and I went in there completely defeated,” she says.

“The thing is, anyone in any stage of the competition is a threat.

“Our weaknesses and our strengths were so different from one another, so from the top eight onwards it’s not about cooking but rather having a bit of luck.”

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