It’s been 10 years since Julie Goodwin burst onto the world stage as Masterchef Australia’s very first winner. Everything has changed, but at the same time, nothing is different. She’s still very much the champion of the shared dinner table who whips up hearty meals for her three sons and if given a chance, wouldn’t hand over the chef’s apron to anyone else at home.

“We’ve got a roster on the fridge. But if I’m going to be home, I’d rather be the one doing the cooking,” says Goodwin who was recently in the eye of the storm following an incident of drunk driving. The celebrity chef who had her licence suspended later pleaded guilty. When I bring up the incident, all I get is “I prefer not to address the issue.”

Indian fix

But what she does want to talk about is her family’s love for curries. In fact, some of her most requested dishes at home are a good Thai curry or a spicy prawn curry, Indian style. “My boys are very happy when they come home and find I’ve got some Indian food on the table,” she says. Some of her own favourites are onion bhajjis and a hot vindaloo. “My boys are not picky eaters but they are not really big on delicate things. They enjoy hearty food, probably also why I developed into that kind of cook,” says Goodwin.

That is also something that has not changed — her love for a generous table. She auditioned with a lamb and potato dish and won the title with an indulgent garlic sage chicken. “The way I cook has been broadened. I try a lot more different things, but my food philosophy has not changed. I still like food to be generous and cooked full of flavour,” she says.

Life after Masterchef

Ten years on, Goodwin leads a busy life. She’s published six cookbooks, with a seventh one slowly brewing somewhere. She also hosts a radio show, runs a cooking school and has appeared in several television shows. And most recently, Goodwin, along with the other eight Masterchef winners, made a guest appearance in the opening episode of the critically acclaimed cooking show’s latest season. “Season 10 will be exciting,” teases the 47-year-old. “The energy in the room was amazing. Just walking in there with the other winners and looking at all the hopefuls and their families, it was a great experience.”

Currently airing on TV, the tenth season has also been praised for its diversity, with contestants from all over the world who have made Australia their home. That has reflected in the cooking as well, with cuisines ranging from Lebanese and Indonesian to Indian and Ghanian, finding a place at the chef’s table. “You don’t want to see the same old thing being cooked over and over again,” says Goodwin, adding, “It’s nice to see a different use of an ingredient or a cultural spin on what I’ve always known.”

Learning curve

That, more than anything, is what makes Goodwin grateful to Masterchef Australia — the opportunity to learn. “I’ve been cooking for nearly 30 years. But the show opened up many doors for us. Even now, I’m getting to do a lot of learning and I’m reading and experiencing everything that I possibly can,” she says.

Goodwin’s experiences might give the next winner an inkling of how his or her life will turn out, post the finale. She, of course, knows how it ends but all she will say is that the winner is a joy to watch on screen. “It’s going to be a beautiful season,” she concludes.

Season 10 of Masterchef Australia airs Monday-Friday at 9 pm on Star World