MasterChef’s ‘dark horse’ Emelia Jackson explains how she ‘regrets everything’ on the show

She’s tipped to win this season of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win. 

But returning to the cooking competition has felt like a ‘rollercoaster’ for Emelia Jackson.

Speaking to the Herald Sun on Saturday, the 31-year-old revealed why she felt MasterChef was an ‘overwhelming’ experience, even the second time around.  

‘The physical feeling [of being on the show] is like when you are on a rollercoaster and you get to the top and you have that split half second before you have that big drop where you freak out and regret everything,’ Emelia said.

She added: ‘That is the feeling of it, this overwhelming, massive adrenaline rush. It really is like a cauldron, the pressure is on, everything is bubbling away.’ 

Emelia went on to explain it was almost impossible to compare being in the MasterChef kitchen to anything in day-to-day life.   

‘For me it is probably equivalent to driving a five-tier wedding cake to a venue that is two hours away in 45 degree heat. Every bump in the road just makes your heart jump into your throat,’ Emelia said.  

Australia’s leading bookmakers are all tipping Emelia to win MasterChef.

And while this isn’t new information – Emelia has been the favourite for weeks – comparing the latest odds with earlier figures offers further evidence that the cake specialist will indeed take the crown during the finale later this month. 

Back in June, both Sportsbet and TAB were predicting that Poh Ling Yeow was unlikely to make it to the final five.

On Sunday night, this was proved to be correct: Poh was eliminated in sixth place.

Her departure leaves Reynold Poernomo, Callum Hann, Reece Hignell, Laura Sharrad and Emelia in the competition.