It’s been 14 years since Alana Lowes last stepped into the MasterChef Australia kitchen – but this time it meant more than ever.
“It was emotional walking back in for the first time,” Alana, 45, tells TV WEEK. “I haven’t gone out and opened restaurants or become a chef, I’ve been a mum. I’ve taken time off work, so I was leaving my kids behind [in Brisbane] and needed to do the best I absolutely could.”
That fire to do her best for her family was lit in the week one challenge in which contestants made a dish showing how they had evolved since their last time in the kitchen.
“I made the ice-cream sandwich with cucumber and mint, and the judges loved it,” she says. “That lit the fire in my belly to think outside the box.”
In her years since being on the show Alana has worn many hats including TV presenter, food stylist, travel writer, sauce queen and mum to daughter Florence, 7, and son Walter, 5, who are budding foodies.
“Walter’s cracking eggs and Florence every night wants to whip cream with berries for dessert,” Alana reveals. “I love teaching them and seeing them excited about the food they’ve just cooked up. Florence’s face lights up so much when she sees what she’s done. Maybe they’re little chefs in the making.”
Back in the MasterChef kitchen, Alana bonded deeply with fellow mum and cook Snez.
“We were similar ages, both mums and had apartments right next to each other,” she says. “We were like two peas in a pod, hanging out in the green room, going for dinners, having a glass of wine after a stressful challenge. She was definitely my bestie.”
As for the recent bombshell that fellow contestants Declan and Sarah have begun dating, Alana had only positive things to say about their chemistry.
“We all knew,” she says with a laugh. “Sarah is one of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet and Declan is so funny and gentle. You couldn’t see them not being attracted to each other. They are two very beautiful, special people. It’s really, really sweet.”
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