MasterChef Australia (series 8)
The eighth series of the Australian cooking game show MasterChef Australia premiered on 1 May 2016 on Network Ten. All the judges from the previous series returned.
This series was won by Elena Duggan in the grand finale against Matt Sinclair, on 26 July 2016.
Contestants
Top 24
The first 19 contestants were announced on 1 May 2016. Cecilia Vuong was chosen having previously been selected in series six, as she withdrew that year before the competition started because of complications from a brain injury. A further 11 applicants were required to cook again the next day for the next four positions. The remaining seven cooks then competed for the final place. The competition includes two siblings for the first time in MasterChef Australia; Jimmy Wong and Theresa Visintin.| Contestant | Age | State | Occupation | Status |
| Elena Duggan | 32 | NSW | Teacher | Winner 26 July |
| Matt Sinclair | 27 | QLD | Coffee Roaster | Runner-up 26 July |
| Harry Foster | 21 | QLD | Cocktail Bartender | Third place 25 July |
| Elise Franciskovic | 28 | QLD | Pharmacy Technician | Eliminated 24 July |
| Mimi Baines | 26 | VIC | Product Manager | Eliminated 20 July |
| Trent Harvey | 29 | NSW | Electrician | Eliminated 18 July |
| Brett Carter | 43 | WA | Airline Captain | Eliminated 14 July |
| Chloe Bowles | 24 | QLD | Nanny | Eliminated 7 July |
| Theresa Visintin | 44 | NSW | Stay-at-home Mum | Eliminated 4 July Returned 14 June Eliminated 30 May |
| Heather Day | 32 | SA | Sales Manager | Eliminated 30 June |
| Karmen Lu | 24 | WA | Waitress | Eliminated 23 June |
| Anastasia Zolotarev | 26 | NSW | Marketing Co-Ordinator | Eliminated 20 June |
| Nicolette Stathopoulos | 19 | VIC | Student | Eliminated 16 June |
| Zoe Konikkos | 31 | VIC | Sales Manager | Eliminated 13 June |
| Miles Pritchett | 46 | QLD | Park Ranger | Eliminated 9 June |
| Charlie Sartori | 24 | VIC | Professional Golfer | Eliminated 6 June |
| Cecilia Vuong | 31 | VIC | Teacher | Eliminated 2 June |
| Con Vailas | 31 | VIC | Restaurant Supervisor | Eliminated 26 May |
| Jimmy Wong | 49 | NSW | Sustainability Specialist | Eliminated 23 May |
| Nidhi Mahajan | 30 | SA | Call Centre Worker | Eliminated 19 May |
| Olivia Robinson | 26 | NSW | Restaurant Manager | Eliminated 16 May |
| Adam Mizzi | 30 | SA | Adventure Company Owner | Eliminated 12 May |
| Nathaniel Milevskiy | 29 | QLD | Paramedic Student | Eliminated 10 May |
| Ashley McConnell | 29 | WA | Software Sales | Eliminated 5 May |
Future appearance
-In Series 9 Elena Duggan appeared as a guest judge for a Mystery Box and an Invention Test Challenge, while Matt Sinclair appeared as guest chef for a team challenge.
-In Series 10 Elena appeared at the Auditions to support the Top 50, while Matt appeared as a guest chef for an Immunity challenge and won against contestant Khanh Ong.
-In Series 11 Matt was one of the Mentor's for the Immunity Challenges, he also along with appear during Queensland week at the team challenge along with Elena.
-Harry Foster appeared on Series 12 and was eliminated on April 28 2020, finishing in 21st.