From the Kitchen to the "Dream Team": Where Are Our Favorite Contestants Now?
They were a step away from the trophy, but it slipped through their fingers. Now, 12 beloved past contestants are returning to the "MasterChef: Dream Team" kitchen to claim the title they missed. We caught up with them to see how they've grown professionally—from opening restaurants and pastry shops to building Pilates empires.
The new season of MasterChef: Dream Team kicked off this week, featuring 12 beloved past contestants vying for the title that once eluded them (new episodes air Thursdays on Keshet 12). Before they step back into the heat of the kitchen, we checked in to see what they’ve been up to since their first appearance on the show.
Jackie Azoulay: Since bursting onto the scene in the third season, Jackie has become one of Israel’s most recognizable reality stars. This past year, she has focused on her cooking course for 15-minute meals and hosting a show on the Food Channel.
Manal Ismail: The former ultrasound technician took the MasterChef kitchen by storm and sparked the "yogurt stone" trend. After the show, she traded her hospital scrubs for a chef’s apron and opened her successful namesake restaurant, "Manal," at the Sarona food market in Tel Aviv.
Aviva Pivko: A favorite from the first season, Aviva is back to chase the trophy. Since finishing fourth, the designer and event planner has successfully added "private chef" to her professional repertoire.
Elihav Sasson: The second-season finalist, who narrowly missed the win, is back to finish what he started. Elihav has become a prominent fashion designer, recently opening a stunning boutique in Neve Tzedek, while continuing to cook for private events.
Bar Levy: It has been two years since Bar first entered our lives. Since leaving the competition, he has dedicated himself to the world of private dining, a career path he continues to pursue.
Costa Osadchy: After leaving the eighth season for the birth of his first child, Costa is now a father of two. He has relocated to Cyprus, where he manages a luxury vehicle care company.
Danit Sofer: A food influencer from the eighth season, Danit continues to share mouth-watering recipes with her loyal online community. She also runs a private catering and home-delivery business.
Haim Cohen: Returning to the competition, Haim is now a married man and a graduate of the Danon cooking school. He currently specializes in high-end confectionery and event catering.
Nissim Zalait: One of the standout contestants of the 11th season, Nissim turned his passion into a profession, becoming the pastry chef at Psagot Winery, where he pairs his pastries with fine wines.
Gal Kaspers: The eighth-season finalist, who took third place, remains passionate about food. However, her primary focus today is her chain of Pilates studios and her own Pilates academy.
Eden Harel: The star of the first VIP season is back. Outside the kitchen, Eden hosts the podcast "Talks from the Garden of Eden," where she engages in deep, one-on-one conversations with various guests.
Tair Mordoch: An expert in Asian cuisine and a social media star with 100,000 followers, Tair shares lifestyle content and hosts the podcast "Flying on Life," featuring stories of women who have relocated.
