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'Burnt out': Reynold Poernomo's shock MasterChef confession

MasterChef fan favourite and dessert king Reynold Poernomo has opened up about how he felt "drained" after the excitement of last year's Back to Win season.

The 27-year-old restaurant owner says he had to take a bit of a step back from the kitchen, despite recently revealing his plans to expand KOI Dessert Bar in the coming months.

masterchef star Reynold Poernomo
Reynold Poernomo said he felt 'drained' after the last MasterChef season. Photo: Channel 10

“Since MasterChef last year I’ve been pretty burnt out creatively,” he told news.com.au.

“You were literally chucked in there to create new dishes every time you came in to the kitchen, so that was kind of draining.

“This year, I’ve taken a bit of time, taken a bit of a step back and have been working on the business rather than in it.”

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Reynold was a firm favourite to win MasterChef Australia: Back to Win last year, shocking viewers when he was eliminated in third place after a dessert challenge.

But he returned to the MasterChef kitchen recently alongside fellow alumns Callum Hann and Poh Ling Yeow, much to the excitement of this year season's contestants.

reynold on masterchef 2021
Reynold returned as a guest judge on this year's Masterchef. Photo: Channel Ten

“It’s really cool to see that impact … it reminds me that I’m in this sphere where I can inspire people around the world with what I do," Reynold told the publication.

“Meeting Gordon Ramsay last year was incredible and everyone was fan-girling about that, but to feel like I’m that to someone else just means so much."

Reynold runs KOI Dessert Bar with his brothers, Ronald and Arnold, and recently hinted the new Chippendale location, complete with new menu, is set to open in September.

He's famous for creating delights like the Harry Potter inspired Golden Snitch and Down the Rabbit Hole and promises the new location will me "more immersive, a bit more of an experience".

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