“I made a promise”: MasterChef’s Luke Harris reveals secret prize money pact
He’s determined to make it all the way.
He might be the youngest contestant on MasterChef Australia 2026, but Luke Harris shouldn’t be underestimated.
Discover more
Travel Guides & Travelogues
Broadcast & Network News
Family Law
The 19-year-old has made it into the Top 10 and has received praise and concerns alike from fans for his confidence and cooking things on a whim.
He hasn’t even been fazed in the eliminations, and having grown up watching the show, Luke tells New Idea that he knew he didn’t want to play it safe when he got his shot.
“I will be the first to concede that there are times for risks and there are times to cook smart dishes,” he shares with us.
“I like to take risks in the kitchen, and I’ll be the first to admit they don’t always come off, but I’d rather leave it all out there than have something left in the tank.”
While he’s cooked with gusto and been unapologetic about his approach, everything changed when Andy Allen said he was cooking with fear, and wasn’t performing his best.
It wasn’t the best thing to hear before the Top 10 was announced, but he then knew that he needed to change his mindset.
“I’m not sure fear is the right word for it exactly, but he’s definitely right that something wasn’t quite right,” he says.
“I wasn’t just fearful of going out; I was fearful of disappointing the judges, fearful of letting down my family and friends at home, and I think that flowed into me overthinking way too much.”
Despite being tough to hear, he says he’s thankful for the feedback, and admits that up until that point, he was cooking with a “chip on my shoulder”.
“I was definitely encouraged to rethink how I compose myself in the kitchen, so much of my struggles came from overthinking, trying to attempt too much and then other times, not attempting enough,” he continues.
His renewed approach has made him optimistic about making it all the way and winning the 2026 series. However, he reveals that if he makes it to the final, he might not take home all of the $250,000 prize money.
With his roommate Petro also competing in the 2026 series in a twist of fate, they have already made a pact about the money!
“My roommate Petro and I made a promise on day one that if we got to the finale together, we would split the winnings. It’s a long way off, but I’m rooting for us at this point,” he dishes.
Who is MasterChef Australia 2026 contestant Luke Harris?
Even though he’s young, Luke has always been surrounded by food.
The 19-year-old student sold vegetables at the local farmers’ market before he went on the show, and uses leftover vegetables for his own recipes.
Originally hailing from Geraldton in Western Australia, he moved to Perth to pursue a Bachelor of Education with a focus on high school mathematics.
Before going on the show, his cooking foundations came from his mother, Eugenie, and father, Khim, who often cooked and entertained at home. He was also heavily influenced by his grandparents and looked to YouTube.
Even though he’s the youngest in his family, he’s always the go-to when his older brothers want steak, or his signature gnocchi!