Where are they now: ‘MasterChef Australia’ 2016 hunks Matt Sinclair and Trent Harvey cook up their culinary dreams
Budding chefs Matt Sinclair and Trent Harvey may have failed to take home the title “MasterChef Australia” for 2016, but the two male hotties didn’t let their defeat stop them from cooking their way to the top. While Trent is busy working at a popular café in Canberra, Matt is gearing up for his own food stall in Brisbane.
Trent, who recently celebrated his 30th birthday, has joined Local Press Café after competing in Channel 10's “MasterChef Australia.” The former electrician’s latest stint was announced on the café’s official Facebook page. “We are looking forward to cooking up a storm for Canberra with you,” the post read.
On his personal Instagram account, a now short-haired Trent uploaded a photo of him baking. “I haven’t done a whole lot of baking in my time, but really starting to get into it since @masterchefau,” he wrote. It seems Trent has gone a long way with sweet dishes after a mystifying dessert eliminated him from the competition.
[READ: “Trent's freestyle approach on a mystifying dessert leads to a cake mess and his elimination”]
Meanwhile, runner-up Matt is set to fire up the grill at his own food stall at Eat Street Night Markets. The 27-year-old former coffee roaster will be dishing out South East Asian street food at his stall, which he hopes to grow into a full-blown food truck and catering brand. Owning a food truck has always been his dream, and he experienced working on one while competing in “MasterChef Australia.”
[READ: “Prawn’s ‘poo vein’ puts Brett, Harry and Mimi on the chopping block”]
After landing second place in the culinary competition, Matt headed to Wood Fire Grill at Noosa, where he trained for the past few months. In an exclusive interview with the restaurant, Matt revealed that he decided to join “MasterChef Australia” after being encouraged by his friend and Wood Fire Grill head chef, Jeremiah Jones.
Transitioning from the competition to real life was quite an adjustment for Matt. “Being in the ‘MasterChef’ kitchen and knocking up one dish within a set time period is completely different to working in a service kitchen,” he said. “Jeremiah has helped me to get my head around working a service, which is a skill I need for my own future endeavours.”
In one Instagram post, Matt thanked Jeremiah for the creative freedom. Matt uploaded a photo of Ora King salmon that he’s been experimenting on, after being inspired by celebrity chef Curtis Stone. While Matt is busy preparing for the launch of his food stall, he is set to come back at Wood Fire Grill kitchen for “a very exciting and delicious event.” Matt took to Twitter to tease his fans about it, writing, “Getting locked and loaded for a collaborative dinner with @bigdogjez at the @woodfiregrillnoosa.” Matt added that he’ll serve some old favourites from the “MasterChef” kitchen with his own twists.
The restaurant’s web site called the event, “ Meet Matt at the Grill!” On Aug.17 and 18, Matt will be preparing a four-course set menu dinner in collaboration with Jeremiah. “This is your chance to meet Matt Sinclair in person and taste some of his famous dishes from the show, as well as some new creations he has been working on,” the announcement said.
Matt was named runner-up of “MasterChef Australia” 2016 and took home $40,000 cash prize. The season 8 winner was 32-year-old teacher Elena Duggan, who beat Matt during a three-round grand finale.
