Andrew Peter Allen (born 30 April 1988) is an Australian cook, food critic and television presenter. He is notable for winning the fourth season of MasterChef Australia in 2012,[1] and for being a judge on MasterChef Australia from 2020.
Andy Allen | |
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Born | Andrew Peter Allen 30 April 1988 Maitland, New South Wales, Australia |
Education | Maitland Grossmann High School |
Occupations |
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Predecessor | Kate Bracks |
Successor | Emma Dean |
Spouse | Alex Davey |
Parent | Peter Allen |
Awards | Winner, MasterChef Australia |
Website | https://andyallen.com.au |
Allen was originally an electrician by occupation.[2][3] He was also a basketball player with the Maitland Mustangs.[4] and also volunteered to work on extensions to his local basketball stadium.[5]
Allen's father, Peter, was a teacher at Bolwarra Public School,[6] and was also the primary cricket convenor for the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association.[7]
Allen pursued a career in the hospitality. He now co-owns a restaurant, Three Blue Ducks, that has five locations around Australia, in Rosebery, Byron Bay, Nimbo and Bellingen in NSW, as well Melbourne in VIC.[8] In 2018 his restaurant was awarded a Chef's Hat, making Allen the first MasterChef Australia contestant to be awarded the highly sought-after honour.[9]
In 2021, he appeared as a co-host in Three Blue Ducks, a cooking show based on travelling throughout Australia to find inspiration for new dishes that will appear on the permanent restaurant menu.[10]
Allen won the fourth season of MasterChef Australia. After making it to the final, Allen beat fellow finalists Audra Morrice and Julia Taylor in a three-way contest. Facing only Taylor for the final two rounds, Allen won with a score of 76 to Taylor's 68.
Allen appeared in an episode of MasterChef Australia All-Stars in August 2012.[citation needed]
He returned in the eleventh season as a professional Secret Chef, and lost to Sandeep Pandit by a perfect score, 30, in an Immunity Pin Challenge. His score was kept secret, but was revealed on Facebook to be 24.[11]
In October 2019, he was announced as one of three of the new MasterChef judges who will replace George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston.[12]
In May 2023, he was a pallbearer for Jock Zonfrillo with Laura Zonfrillo.[13]
Allen became engaged in May 2020[14] and married his wife Alex Davey on 8 October 2022.[15]