Andy Allen
Born
Andrew Peter Allen

(1988-04-30) 30 April 1988 (age 35)
Maitland, New South Wales
NationalityAustralian
EducationMaitland Grossmann High School
Occupations
  • Television cook
  • food critic
  • television presenter
PredecessorKate Bracks
SuccessorEmma Dean
SpouseAlex Davey
ParentPeter Allen
AwardsWinner, MasterChef Australia
Websitehttps://andyallen.com.au

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.

Early life

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]

Career

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]

MasterChef Australia

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]

Personal life

Allen became engaged in May 2020[14] and married his wife Alex Davey on 8 October 2022.[15]

References

  1. ^ Byrnes, Holly (26 July 2012). "Andy Allen is 2012 MasterChef winner". News.com.au. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  2. ^ Rockman, Lisa (22 October 2019). "Maitland electrician turned MasterChef judge Andy Allen is about to become a household name". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  3. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: MasterChef judge Andy Allen shares his engagement news". 10 May 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Andy Allen's amazing journey from Maitland Mustang to a MasterChef Judge". The Maitland Mercury. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Federation Centre makeover tips off at Maitland venue". sportingpulse.com. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  6. ^ Berry, Rebecca (18 July 2012). "Maitland's Andy sizzles on MasterChef". maitlandmercury.com. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  7. ^ "2012 NSWPSSA Executive and Conveners". sports.det.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  8. ^ Quinn, Paul. "Home". Three Blue Ducks. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  9. ^ "Andy Allen". 10 Play. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  10. ^ "Foodies Rejoice! Three Blue Ducks Serves Up A Tasty New Series". Network Ten. ViacomCBS ANZ. 27 January 2021. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  11. ^ Andy Allen's score, retrieved 19 September 2019[non-primary source needed]
  12. ^ "MasterChef Australia: New judges announced". News.com.au. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  13. ^ MasterChef Judge Jock Zonfrillo's Funeral Held In Sydney | 10 News First, retrieved 26 May 2023
  14. ^ Amber, Giles (11 May 2020). "Exclusive: MasterChef judge Andy Allen shares his engagement news". TV Week. Are Media. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  15. ^ Simich, Ricardo (23 October 2022). "Spy: Aussie MasterChef judge Andy Allen's luxury Kiwi honeymoon". NZ Herald. The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
Preceded byKate Bracks MasterChef Australia Winner 2012 Succeeded byEmma Dean
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