Ex-'MasterChef' stars "in love"

Two contestants from last year's MasterChef Australia have revealed that they are in love.

Julia Jenkins and Chris Badenoch, who both made it through to the final six in the cookery show last year, said that their friendship on the series just "naturally evolved" into a romance.

Badenoch told Woman's Day magazine: "We had so many things in common and whether we were having a drink or eating out or at a movie, we were never short of conversation. There were never any awkward pauses and we always laughed together.

"I love the fact that she's not your average woman. She's quite different and unique and she's got good taste in everything from food to clothes."

When asked if they are in love, the 42-year-old former graphic artist said: "Yes. I'm just happy when she's around and I miss her when she's not here. I enjoy being with her all the time."

Jenkins, who is 18 years younger than Badenoch, added: "Millions of people have asked me why I like Chris... if I had a series of check boxes, Chris would tick pretty much all of them, even ones I didn't realise I wanted.

"Chris is not at all like the villain he was portrayed as on MasterChef. He's a genuinely nice, friendly, caring guy."