Meet the contestants of My Kitchen Rules Australia 2025

Besties and both pest-control administration workers, Lauren (Lol, left) and Lilly (Lil) bring a big bowl of cheeky humour to the table. They’re vibrant home cooks – Colin calls their kai “sunshine on a plate” – and are excited to step out of their comfort zone on MKR, especially Lol, 26, who’d never left Queensland or even been on a plane before! But while they’re all laughs, they’ve still got their eyes firmly on the prize.

“We’re cute, but we do bite,” says Lol. Lil, 25, adds, “We’re fighters and we’re gonna keep pushing on.”

Opinionated couple Michael and Reilli, who have been together for five years, balance his carnivorous cravings – the self-described “meat master” says he’d eat it for “breakfast, lunch and dinner” – with the pastry expert’s plant-based preferences.

“I don’t eat meat,” declares Reilli, 29.

“I’m a nutritionist. I’m all about just eating real food.”

Meanwhile, Michael, 30, isn’t afraid to speak out, which makes for some chaotic dinner parties, but he supports his partner in her dream of opening a bakery.

Feisty cousins with a passion for healthy, affordable cooking, Mel (left) and Jacinta are here to prove nutritious can still be delicious. The controversial duo stir the pot in more ways than one as Jacinta, 37, who follows a plant-based diet, is set to surprise her meat-loving guests with her vegan and gluten-free twists, to the dismay of a few of her fellow competitors.

But Mel, 38, insists, “It definitely does look like it, but I don’t think we intended to come across like we were causing trouble.”

Being boss in their day jobs isn’t all these friends have in common. With blunt honesty and sibling-like banter, Maria and Bailey combine Mediterranean soul food with modern flair. Maria, 30, leads with experience, running her own baking business, while 28-year-old businessman and former ballet dancer Bailey’s love of food is a more recent thing, but together they promise to make every plate bold and memorable.

“We’re here to win,” says Greek-born Maria.

“We want to be on top. We don’t care if we have to be really cut-throat.”

This Greek mother-daughter duo are loud, proud and full of laughter. Anne, 66, and 43-year-old Maree’s zest for life creates food rich with heritage and heart. Steeped in handed-down recipes and traditions, they aim to make every guest feel like they’ve pulled up a chair at their own family feast, doing it all in the name of Yiayia, former beautician Anne’s late mother.

Anne says, “I learned to cook by watching my mum. I’d sit next to her and ask her questions about why she used certain spices. She was so patient with me.”

Justin (left) is a South African gym owner and foodie influencer, while his bestie Will is a Tongan-born former NRL star who’s played for the Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters. Introduced by their wives 12 years ago, the doting dads, together, bring spice and heart to the table, along with a big serving of silly banter. Justin, 30, loves big flavours and rustic style, complementing Will’s perfectionist approach.

“We’re passionate and competitive, but we stay in sync,” says Justin.

“We know exactly how to play to each other’s strengths.”