Australia first fell in love with Khanh Ong’s wit and vivacious personality in 2018 when he was a VIP DJ and stylist trying his best to battle it out on MasterChef at 25-years-old.
The Melbournite made it to the season 10 semi-finals, and even though he didn’t make it past the top three, he was able to carve a career for himself post-show with ease.
A year later, he was cast on a TV cooking show, signed a book deal, and became a business partner at The George on Collins.
Reflecting on that time, Khanh told Domain.com, “MasterChef was great for me, I would not have had the chance to do what I am without it.
“I would have stuck with my vlogging and writing a food blog and hoped it would lead me somewhere, but MasterChef opened doors a lot quicker and if you’re a determined contestant you can get things happening much faster.”
Khanh as a young up and comer on MasterChef.
(Image: Network 10)Khanh took another chance on the show in 2020 for MasterChef Australia: Back To Win.
He may not have won the competition, but he did win Australia’s hearts when he wore a “You Are Loved” T-shirt to support the LGBTQIA+ youth charity Minus18, which supported him in his youth.
When asked if he’d ever do reality TV again after his elimination, Khanh told Now To Love: “I don’t think I would do anything that was heavily drama-based, just because I don’t think I need it in my life.
“I think it works for a lot of people and good on them – a lot of my friends have been on shows that are drama based, but for me MasterChef was purely about cooking and that’s what I loved about it.
“If I did another show it would probably have to be another show that was like that and is about celebrating individuals, rather than elevating the drama.”
“MasterChef opened doors a lot quicker.”
(Image: Network 10)And that he did, starring opposite his sister Amy in Survivor Australia’s Blood vs Water in 2022 where he made it to merge and was blindsided with a hidden immunity idol in his pocket.
”I loved it,” Khanh told our sister publication WHO of his exit.
”As a fan, that’s how you want to go. If you’re not winning at the end, you want to be blindsided. You want the big move played on you because a blindside means you’re a threat.
”When I came into the game, I didn’t want to sit in the background. I wanted to play. I wanted to do everything,” he said.
Khanh made a triumphant return to reality television with sister Amy by his side.
(Image: Network 10)Khanh has also kept busy outside of reality television, co-hosting a podcast – Feast Pod – with entrepreneur Sarah Davidson as well as being the author of A Gay Guy’s Guide to Life Love Food: Outrageously delicious recipes (plus stories and dating advice) from a food obsessed gay.
Khanh is taking a walk on the wild side in his latest project.
(Image: SBS FOOD)In April 2023, Khanh was also announced as the host of his very own cooking show – Khanh Ong’s Wild Food – where the fan favourite will explore Australia’s wild side, combining ‘regional produce, adventure and a hint of glamour,” according to SBS Food.
The series will premiere on Sunday April 30th at 8:30pm, with new episodes to air weekly.
For those unable to tune in live, the series will also be available to stream for free on SBS On Demand.
Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out TV WEEK’s comprehensive TV Guide.
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