MasterChef has been on the air for 14 seasons, built chefs’ careers, and lit a fire for aspiring chefs worldwide.
The TV program showcases the talents of chefs with different ideas and varying palates, but willing to do anything to feed family, friends, and clients. The show includes contestants, judges, and food critics.
Over the decade that MasterChef has been on air, many people have appeared on the show. They charmed viewers’ hearts and went on to cook on the show, but some of them have passed away.
If you are curious about contestants, judges, and food critics who have died on the show, here is everything you need to know.
Contestants
Several contestants died after leaving the show under different circumstances. May their souls rest in eternal peace.
1. Josh Marks
Josh Marks was born in 1987 and attended Dunbar High School. He graduated from Tougaloo University and afterwards was on Masterchef Season three.
At the time Josh Marks was on the show, he was married and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. While he had struggled with his illness, he was able to manage his symptoms.
However, in 2013, things took a shocking turn, and Josh Marks got very sick. He died by suicide with a gun that same year.
2. Beth Kirby
Beth Kirby was born in 1983 and was on the 5th season of Masterchef. She was ranked 13th and inspired many during her time on the show.
After the show, she used her blog to reach fans and inspire new chefs. While she had struggled for a long time with mental health problems, they did not beat her.
Beth died after a long struggle with cancer.
3. Tony Scruggs
Tony Scruggs was born in 1959 and was a contestant on MasterChef season two. He brought his great personality to the show and created amazing recipes that viewers enjoyed trying.
He ranked 16th during his time on the show. Tony Scruggs described his barbecue as Chicago style and received good reviews.
After his time on the show, he established a catering company specialising in BBQ but moved on to a restaurant business in 2013. He gained many fans during his time on MasterChef, and many of them visited his restaurant to sample his great food.
Tony Scruggs passed on in 2024, and many remember him as a fun-loving and masterful chef.
4. Sarah Harding
Sarah Harding was born in 1981 and was on season 10 of Celebrity MasterChef. Before being on the show, she was a successful pop singer in the Girls Aloud group.
The group had great success, with many of their songs going Platinum. She was also on shows like Bad Day, Sunday Night Project, Freefall, Dating in the Dark and The Voice of Ireland.
In August 2020, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and started treatment. She kept her fans informed on her progress, pointing out that the cancer had spread to different parts of her body.
After a valiant fight, she passed a year later in September 2021.
5. Jon Hameister-Reis
Jon Hameister-Ries was born in 1984 and was a football player and chef. He was on MasterChef Canada season 2 and was ranked 8th.
Jon played college football for the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes and was drafted by the BC Lions in 2006. He stayed with the club for seven seasons and, in 2013, was released. Jon also played for the Arizona Cardinals.
After playing on the football field, he started his culinary journey and competed on MasterChef. Jon owned and operated Meat City restaurant, and his friends remember him as a wonderful person and friend.
Jon died in 2021, and the cause was not made public.
6. Abud Dudi
Abud Dudi was on Masterchef Indonesia Season One. He is the oldest contestant the popular show has ever had and was ranked 19th.
During the show, he experienced heart problems due to a preexisting condition and left before the end of the season. He did not compete on the Pressure Test due to his health issues.
Abud Dudi was passionate about food and cooking but could not continue on the show due to his health problems. He passed on in 2012 during the season two finale.
7. Cecilia Ramos
Cecilia Ramos was a contestant on MasterChef in 2020. She was born in 1980 and was eliminated during the first episode of the season.
Cecilia made a great goat stroganoff, but the judges did not like her choice of side dishes, so she was eliminated.
She contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalised in the same year. Cecilia Ramos shared with her fans on social media about her illness and that she was in the ICU.
Cecilia passed away from her illness in May 2020.
8. Kristian Digby
Kristian Digby was born in 1977 and was on Celebrity Masterchef UK season one. He was ranked 7th and did not get into the quarter-finals.
Before competing in Masterchef, he attended the University of Westminster and won a Junior BAFTA in 1997. He was well known for shows like Fantasy Rooms, Big Strong Boys, and She’s Gotta Have It.
Kristian was found dead in his house on March 1, 2010, and the coroner gave a verdict of death by misadventure during the inquest.
9. Matt Campbell
Matt Campbell was a semi-finalist in the Masterchef competition in 2017. When he was only 20, he competed on the BBC’s Young Chef.
His passion for food and cooking was clear in the food he cooked to win the different challenges during the show. Afterwards, Matt Campbell worked as a private chef and even cooked for VIPs in the French Alps.
In 2017, he was on Masterchef: The Professionals and was eliminated during the semifinals. Matt Campbell died while participating in the London Marathon in 2018.
Matt Campbell collapsed during the marathon he was running in honour of his father. Before the London Marathon, he had participated in the Manchester Marathon in the same month.
He is remembered as a passionate chef and a good friend.
10. Paolo Armando
Paolo Armando was born in 1972 and was on Masterchef Italia season 4. He was ranked 4th in the competition.
Unlike many contestants on the show, he did not go into the hospitality industry. Paolo continued working as an IT expert and catechist.
He died in 2021 of undisclosed causes. Paulo was found dead in his house, and all attempts to save his life failed. Many in his community felt they had lost a good person and friend.
Judges
Below is a judge who was on MasterChef Australia;
Jock Zonfrillo
Jock Zonfrillo was a judge on Masterchef Australia. He was a successful restaurateur, TV presenter and chef.
His judgments on the show were considered fair, making him popular with viewers. Before his death, Jock had been battling cancer, and the chemo resulted in vomiting and weight loss.
Jock died in 2023. He was found in a Melbourne hotel room after his wife called the police, asking them to conduct a wellness check on the successful chef.
The coroner did not release an official cause of death, but a member of the family said that he died of natural causes.
Food critics
Below is a food critic on MasterChef and MasterChef spinoffs.
Charles Campion
Charles Campion was a food critic on MasterChef and MasterChef spinoffs. He was a wonderful person who loved and was very knowledgeable about food.
Charles died in 2020 and is remembered for his big personality and healthy appetite.
He was loved on Masterchef and was able to bring a diner’s view to the various episodes. Charles died as a result of complications from his heart disease.
MasterChef is a great TV show that offers a taste of food from around the world. If you have never watched it, make sure you do. It is the best way to remember these wonderful people.