While Petro Papathomas has earned admiration for bringing the flavours of his Greek and Cypriot heritage to MasterChef Australia, one of the most emotional chapters of his journey unfolded far from the kitchen.
As he battled his way towards the competition’s final stages, Petro was also coping with the devastating loss of one of the people who inspired him to cook.
A Personal Loss That Came Without Warning
Speaking candidly about his experience, the 30-year-old revealed that his beloved grandmother, Yiayia Sophia, passed away during filming.
The news came unexpectedly, making an already demanding competition even more difficult to navigate.
“It was very hard because it kind of came out of nowhere,” Petro shared.
Inside the intense environment of MasterChef Australia, contestants have little opportunity to pause, even when faced with personal tragedy.
“You are in a bit of a bubble there, so there’s really no time to stop,” he explained. “It was very hard to grieve while still trying to stay alive in the competition.”
One Final Goodbye He Will Always Treasure
After learning of his grandmother’s deteriorating condition, Petro—who lives in Melbourne—was able to leave briefly to visit her.
Although their final moments together were heartbreakingly short, they became a memory he will always hold close.
“I got to see her basically half an hour before she lost consciousness and eventually passed away,” he recalled.
“I’m very blessed that I got to see her briefly for one last time.”
Despite being grateful for that farewell, Petro admitted he also struggled with overwhelming guilt because the competition meant he could not remain with his family throughout their grief.
Cooking Through Grief
Returning to the MasterChef kitchen after losing his grandmother was one of the greatest emotional challenges he had ever faced.
Petro described himself as “unravelling” during that period, yet every cook became another opportunity to think about the woman who had first taught him the joy of food.
Throughout the competition, Yiayia Sophia remained quietly beside him in spirit.
He says she was always on his mind every time he stepped up to the bench.
Honouring His Grandmother Through Every Dish
As Petro moved closer to the finale, he became even more determined to celebrate the family traditions that shaped him.
One of the most meaningful moments came during the Family Tree Challenge, when he recreated his late grandmother’s treasured Cypriot Ravioles recipe—a deeply personal tribute to the woman who first introduced him to the flavours of his heritage.
Petro says both of his grandmothers, along with his mother, played a central role in teaching him how food could bring people together.
“I’ve been brought up with those values and those traditions,” he explained.
“I was really close to both sets of my grandparents, and I spent a lot of time with them.”
More Than a Competition
For Petro, MasterChef Australia has never been solely about winning.
Every Greek and Cypriot-inspired dish represents generations of family history, love and tradition that continue to guide him, even after heartbreaking loss.
As he continues chasing his culinary dream, Petro believes his grandmother would be proud—not simply because of how far he has come in the competition, but because he has stayed true to the heritage and family values she helped pass on.
In many ways, every plate he serves has become more than just food. It is a quiet tribute to Yiayia Sophia, whose influence continues to live on in every meal he creates.