When the phone rings with an offer to be part of one of Australia’s most successful reality TV shows, most people would answer yes.
However, for Ben Milbourne, who was a contestant on season four of MasterChef Australia in 2012, the decision to come back to tie on an apron wasn’t easy.
Since his appearance on the show, he’s gone on to have a successful TV production company and restaurants. However, his proudest achievement is being a dad to his two kids, Charlotte, five, and four-year-old Jack.
Ben originally said no to coming back to MasterChef.
(Image: Network Ten)“The longest I’d ever been away from them for work before was three months, and they were very little back then,” Ben tells TV WEEK. “This is different now, when they know I’m not home.”
Even though the producers picked him to return for the 2020 all-star season, Ben had to decline. But the chance to experience those highs again kept niggling in the back of Ben’s mind.
“I think we had a week to give them a final answer,” he says. “I pushed it right to the end. I sat down with all the significant people it would affect – my business partner, head chef, my wife and kids – and they were all super-supportive, so I came back and said yes, I’ll do it.”
Not only is this season different for Ben for family reasons, it’s the first time he and best friend Andy Allen, who won the 2012 season of MasterChef, won’t be helping each other out. Instead, Andy is now one of a trio of new judges.
Ben starred on season four of the hit cooking show.
(Image: Network Ten)The pair forged a close bond during their season and have gone on to film various cooking shows together.
“For two years we were inseparable. We went everywhere together, did everything together, and then my first child was born and that kind of changes that,” Ben says of the pair slowing down on cooking adventures of late.
“But we’ve never done anything where we haven’t stood side by side, so having him stand across from me is a bit weird.”
Given Ben and Andy’s friendship, could it end up delivering him an unfair advantage in the competition? Ben is quick to shut down any talk of favouritism being an issue.
“Andy has critiqued my food since my first dish [on MasterChef],” he says. “We’ve always critiqued each other’s food, so that’ll be normal.”
For Andy’s part, he says having his best friend in the competition won’t change the way he judges dishes.
“If anything, I’ll be harder on Ben,” he explains. “I know what he’s capable of, and if it’s not there on the plate, I’ll definitely be letting him know.”
Ben and Andy forged a close bond when they starred on season four together.
(Image: Instagram @ben_milbourne)Dani isn’t the same person she was nine years ago
Most parents can agree than any time to themselves is a glorious slice of peace and quiet.
So for Dani Venn, coming back into the MasterChef Australia competition offered a chance to actually have a break!
Since audiences saw her last, in 2011, Dani has gone on to accomplish her cooking goals, and has been busy raising two kids – Harlow, five, and Oscar, one.
“I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed without the kids waking me up at night,” she says with a laugh.
“Oscar’s at that age where he still wants to get out everything in every drawer, so it’s never a peaceful time in my kitchen anymore.
“So I actually look forward to the challenges, because it’s like, ‘Wow! A whole hour to cook a meal?’ Without anyone apart from me asking questions? And nobody saying ‘I’m hungry!’ or without having to change a nappy?”
WATCH BELOW: Dani wins the only MasterChef immunity pin of the season. Post continues after video…
The busy mum says she has a different attitude this time around.
“Back then, I didn’t believe in myself as much as I do now,” she says. “I don’t think I believed I could win.”
Dani proved how serious she is this season by winning the only immunity pin in the competition this year.
“Now, I’m like, ‘Yeah, I can win,'” she says. “And I’m here to win. There’s no other option – I’m winning!”
“Back then, I didn’t believe in myself as much as I do now.”
(Images: Network Ten)Hungry for more MasterChef content? Check out the links below
Grab your aprons! We finally know when this season of MasterChef Australia is kicking off
Meet the MasterChef Australia contestants for 2020
Meet the new judges for MasterChef Australia Season 12
MasterChef Australia: Where are the past winners now?
MasterChef behind the scenes secrets: What happens to all the leftover food will shock you!
Is MasterChef real or fake? The answer will surprise you
MasterChef contestants will bank HOW MUCH by going on the show?! The answer will shock you
