Since publishing this story, Network Ten has announced the death of MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo on April 30, 2023. MasterChef Australia Secrets and Surprises will now premiere on Sunday, May 7, with the full support of Zonfrillo’s family.
Australia’s most wholesome reality television competition, MasterChef Australia: Secrets and Surprises, is finally here. It’s time for a whole new season of delicious dishes, wild challenges and more, but first, we need to put faces to the names of the MasterChef Australia 2023 cast.
Meet Larissa Sewell, a 38-year-old stay-at-home mom from Adelaide, South Australia.
Larissa’s Foodie Origins
With Ukrainian and Russian heritage, Larissa’s biggest influence has been her babushka, whose sharing of traditions has shaped her as both a woman and a cook.
Larissa was raised on a unique melting pot of flavours, as her grandparents resettled in the Xinjiang region of China after fleeing their homeland during the Russian Revolution.
Living and working in the USA and South Korea further informed her broad palate and diverse cooking style, which she describes as generous, abundant, and flavourful.
Larissa’s passion for food stems from her early memories of harvesting and eating veggies still warm from her babushka and dedushka’s garden.
After many years cooking and sharing stories together, Larissa remains inspired by her family’s love for food, and she honours her babushka’s memory whenever she cooks.
Follow Larissa on Instagram here.
Related: Introducing the ‘MasterChef Australia: Secrets and Surprises’ Top 18
Related: Where to Follow the ‘MasterChef Australia: Secrets and Surprises’ Cast on Instagram
Larissa’s Journey to MasterChef Australia
Previously a corporate trainer and English tutor, Larissa took time out of the workforce when she welcomed her twin boys Sasha and Misha, now both nine, with husband Troy. Since then, Larissa has sought more family-friendly work, including running a small fruit and vegetable co-op and a successful grazing platter business.
Living an urban farm lifestyle, complete with heirloom vegetables and heritage chickens, Larissa’s extended family lives close by, and she cooks for 10 or more people most nights of the week.
Outside of family, Larissa looks up to cooks like Yotam Ottolenghi, Maeve O’Meara, and Nigella Lawson. She is also passionate about photography and pottery and looks forward to flexing her creative muscle in the MasterChef kitchen.
With a dream to one day open a small cooking school, Larissa also hopes to travel and write about food and culture. With her unique blend of flavours and cooking styles, Larissa is an inspiration to anyone looking to expand their culinary horizons.
MasterChef Australia: Secrets and Surprises premieres Sunday, May 7 at 7.30pm, only on 10 and 10 Play on Demand.
Want more MasterChef Australia? Read all our content here, and check out the stories below:
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- The Secrets and Surprises Are About to Begin on ‘MasterChef Australia’ 2023
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- “Deeply Shocked and Saddened” — ‘MasterChef Australia’ Judge Jock Zonfrillo Has Died Aged 46
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