MasterChef winner Laura Sharrad on motherhood and hosting like a pro this summer

From first-time mum to MasterChef champion, Laura Sharrad shares her top hosting tips and family-friendly summer menus.

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.

With the coveted trophy and $250,000 in prize money, Laura is weighing up what comes next, professionally and personally, while navigating life as a new mum.

“Now that I look back, the cooking was the easiest part because I don’t know what to do with the money,” she told TV Week shortly after her win. “Obviously, we’ve got the two restaurants, I have to think, ‘Do I want to open another one?’ I really want to write a cookbook, do I use that to publish it myself? Do I start a YouTube channel? There’s definitely lots of things that it can go towards and a shopping spree is probably not at the top of the list.”

On a more personal note, growing her beautiful family is also something to consider. “Babies are expensive,” Laura says. “I feel like Flo would definitely love a sibling so I’m not going to rule it off the cards, but not anytime soon. I need to get over this whole whirlwind first.”

Bounty Parents spoke with Laura to talk summer hosting and feeding families with ease.

MasterChef mum Laura Sharrad shares her hosting hacks

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.”