MasterChef winner reveals tech secrets to better hosting

The winner of MasterChef Australia Season 17 has revealed how connected kitchen technology is changing the way Australians host at home, sharing how smart appliances help streamline planning, reduce waste and take the pressure out of summer entertaining.

During a recent interview with TechDay, Laura Sharrad, Chef and MasterChef Australia Season 17 winner, admitted she's been using technology in the kitchen that she "didn't have available" a few years ago.

"For example, I recently got a Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator at home, and it has a screen on it that helps me create a shopping list based on what I have in the fridge. And when I'm at the shops, I can use the SmartThings app on my phone to look at what items I have in my fridge via its internal cameras to make sure I don't forget anything," she said.

"This has changed the way I plan for parties that I have at my house. It allows me to double check what's in and out of stock, it even tracks expiry dates. This was stuff that I'd usually have to call my husband about in a panic in the shops to check if we have this and that. I'm all about being organised when hosting, so having this as one of many tools really sets me up to be the hostess with most."

What about stress levels?

"The key to hosting without getting stressed is to be super organised and keep it simple. For example, ensuring the bulk of the prep is done prior to guests arriving, ensuring drinks are chilled, and platters are ready at arm's reach. This means when guests arrive, I can focus on enjoying myself and step out of the kitchen," said Sharrad.

"In supporting with this, my Family Hub has flexible cooling zones so if I forget to start chilling my drinks early, I can change a compartment setting and have my drinks cooled rapidly, putting me back on schedule. It's the little things that throw even the best hostess off, and it feels like my fridge has my back when these moments come."

The drinks are covered

"My Family Hub has a whisky ball ice maker built-in, which instantly makes any drink look a bit fancy without any effort," said Sharrad. "I also love freezing herbs and lemon slices into ice cubes; it's a tiny detail, but it feels thoughtful. With a well-organised drinks shelf and plenty of ice ready to go, guests can help themselves, and I'm not stuck inside topping things up. It keeps the whole gathering feeling relaxed and effortless."

Waste control

"Food waste is something I'm conscious of, especially because Italians, which is my heritage, are notorious for over catering," said Sharrad. "My fridge helps me plan better by alerting me when something is nearing its expiry date, which means I can build my menu around ingredients that need using. I also store everything in clear containers and can add them manually to my fridge's food list. This means I can see what leftovers I have stored at a glance, and if I forget, my fridge will have attributed an expiry date to it as well so I can reheat and eat before it goes bad."

"I like to over cater on dishes that will taste even better the next day, like grilled vegetables and roast meats," she added. "I keep portion sizes for salads and raw dishes smaller so they can be eaten on the same day and won't go to waste."

Ensuring a hosting flow

"When I'm hosting friends, I'm not trying to plate a Michelin-level dish under pressure; I'm trying to create a relaxed flow in the kitchen," said Sharrad. "That's where the conveniences of modern appliances come in. With the Samsung Family Hub fridge, it genuinely feels like I've got a sous chef standing beside me, keeping everything on track."

"The built-in shopping lists and to-do lists are lifesavers," she added. "Instead of juggling mental notes or scribbling reminders on scraps of paper, everything I need is right there on the screen. If I run out of something mid-prep, I just add it to the list with a tap. If I'm planning a menu, I can map out each step and let the fridge nudge me along, so nothing gets forgotten. The recipe suggestions based on what I already have on hand are surprisingly helpful too."

What happens over summer?

"In summer, I keep it simple, lots of cold, easy to pre-prepare dishes. Having the capacity of a larger fridge means all platters can be made in the morning, wrapped and stored until guests arrive, instead of rushing to make it all perfect as guests are walking through the door. Drinks are chilled with ample space. Ice used to be a run-out-and-get-it job, but now it's an afterthought, having the in-built ice maker producing cubes as needed. More space, more time, more enjoyment, and less mess."

"There's a lot more room to wiggle," said Sharrad.

"A lot of recipes are traditionally do not change, but as we evolve and want to reduce waste, swapping ingredients here and there can be a huge cost to the wallet. Technology can help us problem solve and get inspired in situations like these, as well as adapt instructions to cater for food preferences, allergies and even cooking skill levels."

"I think we'll see more people embracing the idea of prepping ahead and letting tech handle the logistics," said Sharrad. "Connected fridges that track ingredients, ovens that manage temperatures and timings precisely, and appliances that help reduce waste will make hosting feel more accessible."

For Sharrad, the key to stress-free summer hosting is using technology as a quiet helper, allowing hosts to focus on their cooking, timing, and enjoyment rather than juggling everything at once.

"Tech should feel like a quiet helper, not the star of the show," she added. "The best smart appliances elevate the experience by making everything smoother and supporting you in being the best host you can be. It's still your cooking, your hosting style, your thoughtfulness; the appliance just supports you so you can enjoy it all."