MasterChef's Julie Goodwin spills on surprise return to the show

Less than a year after competing on season 14 of MasterChef Australia and finishing in fifth place, Julie Goodwin is making a return to the cooking competition.

The popular chef, author and TV presenter, who won the inaugural season of the reality show in 2009, is set to appear as a guest judge in Sunday night’s elimination challenge.

Speaking with Yahoo Lifestyle ahead of the episode, Julie opened up about what it was like returning to the MasterChef kitchen so soon after her last appearance.

“I absolutely loved coming back as a guest judge,” she shared. “It was a completely different experience.

“You’re in a completely different part of the compound before you walk on set, you’re on the judges' side. And you’re like, ‘Nobody’s deciding my future today, I'm deciding somebody else’s’ - although that responsibility’s not so much fun.”

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Julie adds that she’s grateful she was able to “kick around” with judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo behind the scenes and get to know them more intimately.

“It was great to have some fun with them and have a bit more conversation with them than you can have when you're a contestant,” she shares. “I absolutely loved it.”

Julie's advice for season 15 contestants

Having competed on three seasons of MasterChef since the show first premiered, as well as multiple guest appearances for Masterclasses, Mystery Box Challenges and Invention Tests, Julie has plenty of advice to share with the current contestants.

“Just get in there, be your true authentic self, and that'll be enough,” she details.

“Be open to possibilities and opportunities, grab it with two hands. If you are privileged enough to be a part of that production, just make the most of it because it's wonderful, and thousands and thousands of people would love to be in your position.”

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