Competing on TV’s biggest cooking competition MasterChef Junior was a no brainer for 11-year-old Phenix.
The aspiring cafe owner tells Woman’s Day that she and her family have been big fans of the show for some time.
“We watch it all the time and always marvel at how complex and delicious the food looks,” tells Phenix.
“It always looks like so much fun, so I wanted to have the opportunity to be on the show cooking and serving amazing dishes to the judges.”
And while her focus will be on making sure she impresses the three judges – Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong – Phenix is also competing to make her foodie family proud.
The primary school student comes from a long line of cooks, and boasts a chef dad and cafe owner mum who have inspired her to follow her dreams into the kitchen.
The aspiring cafe owner tells Woman’s Day that she and her family have been big fans of the show for some time.
(Credit: Channel 10)“Winning the show would definitely mean a lot to not only me, but to my whole family who are all great cooks.
I want to make them proud,” says Phenix.
“But my family and friends have all told me that being a part of the show and making it to the top 14 is already a great achievement, and it proves to myself that I am a good cook.
“This is just the start of my cooking career, and after the show I will keep improving my skills and working with my mum in the restaurant until I am ready to open my own bakery or cafe.”
While the tween is quietly making big plans for her future, she’s also enjoying her days learning ballet and caring for her pet turtle Franklin.
“We have had him for almost my whole life. He is the best pet and so easy to take care of,” says Phenix.
“He is quite particular with his food – he’ll only eat the turtle food we buy from the pet store, and only when he is sitting in water. So no fancy meals for him!”
While the tween is quietly making big plans for her future, she’s also enjoying her days learning ballet and caring for her pet turtle Franklin.
(Credit: Instagram)Fans will also recognise a familiar face on the show – former MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah‘s 11-year-old son.
Ryan is competing after he appeared in his dad’s 2018 season for the family reunion.
“I have big shoes to fill,” says Ryan, who says despite the pressure, he’s ready to make history by becoming the first ever father-son winners.
“It would be very cool to pull that off.”
And while many might assume Sashi managed to pull a few strings to get his son on the show, it was quite the opposite!
Ryan is competing after he appeared in his dad’s 2018 season for the family reunion.
(Credit: Channel 10)“We had to apply,” reveals Sashi, explaining he put his son forward after seeing an ad on TV.
The young cook is ready for the challenge.
“People are going to know me for me, Ryan, instead of, ‘Oh, that’s Sashi’s son’,” he says.
And he’s already caused quite the stir at school.
“They started talking a lot about MasterChef after they saw the promo,” says Ryan.
“Yes, I’m a little popular now!”
Fans will recognise a familiar face on the show – former MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah’s (pictured) 11-year-old son.
(Credit: Channel 10)
