Melbourne chef Philip Vakos has reached the top five of MasterChef Greece, with supporters celebrating his progress as he continues his international cooking run.
The achievement follows Vakos’ run on the Greek edition of the hit cooking competition, where he has been representing the Greek Australian community and competing against chefs from Greece and the diaspora.
Vakos, who previously appeared on MasterChef Australia in 2010 as Tasmania’s first-ever contestant, has become the first Greek Australian to compete on MasterChef Greece and the first Australian to appear in two different international versions of the franchise.
He is part of the Red team in the season’s brigade format and has impressed judges with his desserts and versatility, despite Greek being his second language.
“This is really special, to come back on a show after 15 years, to cook, and show my culinary experience, in Greece,” Vakos said.
“After almost 12 years of running our restaurant Bahari in Melbourne, I believe it’s good to challenge yourself, and get out of your comfort zone — in order to grow.”
He added: “Sometimes life throws you an opportunity, and you either say no, or grab it with both hands,” and said he was grateful for the support of his wife and family while representing Australian Greeks.
Born in Hobart, Vakos built his career in hospitality after retraining from accounting, later establishing Melbourne restaurant Bahari The Hellenic Palate in Richmond with his wife, Heleena, alongside a Mediterranean ready-meal business.
He remains active in the Greek Australian community through festivals and events, while continuing his run in the competition airing on STAR Channel in Greece.
