Andrew Peter Allen (born 30 April 1988) is an Australian cook. He is notable for winning the fourth season of MasterChef Australia in 2012,[1] and for being a judge on MasterChef Australia from 2020.
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Andy Allen | |
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Born | Andrew Peter Allen (1988-04-30) 30 April 1988 (age 34) Maitland, New South Wales |
Nationality | Australian |
Education | Maitland Grossmann High School |
Occupation | Television cook, former electrician |
Predecessor | Kate Bracks |
Successor | Emma Dean |
Awards | Winner, MasterChef Australia |
Website | Andy Allen |
Allen won the fourth season of MasterChef Australia. After making it to the final, Allen beat fellow finalists Audra Morrice and Julia Taylor in a three-way contest. Facing only Taylor for the final two rounds, Allen won with a score of 76 to Taylor's 68.
Allen appeared in an episode of MasterChef Australia All-Stars in August 2012.[citation needed]
He returned in the eleventh season as a professional Secret Chef, and lost to Sandeep Pandit by a perfect score, 30, in an Immunity Pin Challenge. His score was kept secret, but was revealed on Facebook to be 24.[2]
In October 2019, he was announced as one of three of the new MasterChef judges who will replace George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston.[3]
Allen was originally an electrician by occupation.[4][5] He is also a basketball player with the Maitland Mustangs.[6] He also volunteered to work on extensions to his local basketball stadium.[7]
Allen's father Peter is a teacher at Bolwarra Public School,[8] and was also the primary cricket convenor for the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association.[9]
Allen has pursued a career in the Hospitality industry and now co-owns a restaurant, Three Blue Ducks, that has five locations around Australia, in Bronte, Rosebery and Byron Bay in NSW, as well as Brisbane and Melbourne.[10] In 2018 his restaurant was awarded a Chefs Hat, making Allen the first MasterChef Australia contestant to be awarded the highly sought-after honour.[11]
In 2021, he appeared as a co-host in Three Blue Ducks, a cooking show based on travelling throughout Australia to find inspiration for new dishes that will appear on the permanent restaurant menu.[12]
Preceded by | MasterChef Australia Winner 2012 |
Succeeded by |
MasterChef Australia | |||||
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Series |
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Winners | |||||
Notable alumni |
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Junior MasterChef Australia |
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Celebrity MasterChef Australia |
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MasterChef Australia: The Professionals |
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