To every mum who feels guilty for wanting more, MasterChef winner Laura Sharrad has a message for you
From first-time mum to MasterChef champion: “I chose Florence, I chose my dream.”
Laura Sharrad was crowned the winner of MasterChef Australia: Back to Win 2025 and she did it with her baby girl Florence by her side.
The South Australian restaurateur welcomed Flo in April 2024 and says her daughter played a huge role in her journey to the top.
In a late-night post shared in March 2026 after winning the South Australian Advertiser Woman for the second time, Laura reflected on the moment that changed everything – a call to return to MasterChef just three months after becoming a mum.
Laura said yes but what followed was far from perfect. Breastfeeding between cooks, pumping on set, early mornings, little sleep and plenty of doubt.
“In that moment, I chose it all. I chose Florence, I chose my dream. I chose what I truly wanted; to achieve a dream I never thought I could, all whilst doing it with a seven-month-old baby girl for six months.” she shared.
Laura says the decision and the reality of doing the show came with a immense mum guilt and criticism.
“I cried a lot, I read every horrible comments when I shouldn’t have about my maternal choices and what a selfish mother I was. I questioned everything, but I gave myself no choice to fail.. It was just mum instinct kicking in and having to do it all.
“I had an opportunity to inspire new mums out there – that your identity is not lost, your dreams do not have to die, your flame still burns stronger than ever.”
After accepting the award, Laura says her husband sent through a video of Flo cheering, “Woohoo go mummy”, and it all clicked.
“Being Florence’s mum is having it all,” she wrote.
MasterChef mum Laura Sharrad shares her hosting hacks
Bounty Parents spoke with Laura to talk summer hosting and feeding families with ease.
Elevate the everyday
“I recently learnt forty per cent of Australians say lemon-infused water tastes better than plain. This is an easy one to incorporate if you are entertaining. A few slices of lemon or orange, a handful of mint, or even some fun flavoured ice cubes instantly elevates a simple jug of water to feel more thoughtful. It’s the kind of tiny detail guests notice, and it takes almost no effort, which is ideal when you’ve got little ones running around. ”
Cook once, feed everyone
“Choose versatile dishes with thoughtful portioning. When you’re hosting, deciding what to cook can feel like a puzzle at the best of times, and even more so once you’re a parent. Catering for adults, children, and toddlers all at once can feel overwhelming, so opting for dishes that work for everyone keeps things simple.
“I tend to favour dishes that don’t require separate versions for adults and kids or complicated allergen swaps. Also repurpose leftovers into next-day meals to keep entertaining sustainable and stress-free. Tomorrow, you’ll thank yourself for having a meal ready to go. Roast veggies can become tomorrow’s frittata, grilled meat can turn into a quick sandwich, and extra rice is perfect for a speedy lunch. It gives your future self a break.”
Make your fridge work harder
“Organise your fridge strategically before and after your event to ensure maximum space and minimum food waste. With more than 80 per cent of Australians saying food waste is a pain point, a little organisation goes a long way. It has become my secret weapon. Investing in proper containers and having a fridge that truly works for our family has made a world of difference.
“We recently upgraded to a large French-door Samsung fridge, the Samsung Family Hub, and I have given every shelf a clear purpose. Pre-cooked food lives on one shelf, meat, and fish on another; fresh fruit has its own space, and vegetables are neatly tucked into the crisper. The door is reserved for condiments, pickles, sauces, and drinks, which makes everything easy to spot at a glance.”
Prep ahead, host with ease
“Curate a menu that can be largely prepared in advance, with just a few finishing touches left for the day of your event. I love dishes that can be cooked or assembled in advance and only need a quick garnish or warm-up before serving. This also allows you to start an event with an empty dishwasher, which is a lifesaver.
“You can load as you go, keep the kitchen tidy, and avoid that overwhelming pile-up at the end of the night. When the cooking is done and the dishwasher is empty and ready to be refilled after the party, you free yourself up to truly host.”
Let tech do the clean-up
“Summer entertaining as a parent means wearing many hats. Free yourself from the clean-up by using a robot vacuum to clean up during or after the event, so you can focus on other chores/revel in the success of another fun event!
“Kids, snacks, and outdoor play usually mean crumbs everywhere. A robot vacuum that quietly does its thing during or after the event takes one chore off your list. While it handles the floors, you can focus on putting leftovers away, wiping down surfaces, or simply taking a moment to enjoy how well everything went. It is a small bit of help that makes a big difference.”
