Julie Goodwin (born 31 October 1970) is an Australian cook, author, radio and presenter. She is best known for winning the inaugural season of MasterChef Australia in 2009.
After her MasterChef win, Goodwin entered a contract with The Weekly and has written many best-selling cookbooks. She launched her cooking school and has had a hit breakfast radio show.
| Julie Goodwin | |
|---|---|
 Julie Goodwin: the MasterChef winning cooking queen. | |
| Quick Facts | |
| Name: | Julie Goodwin |
| Born: | 31 October 1970 (age 53 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality: | Australia |
| Education: | Hornsby Girls High School |
| Occupation: | cook, author, presenter |
| Spouse: | Michael Goodwin |
| Children: | Joe, Tom, Paddy |
| Grandchildren: | Delilah |
| Memoir: | Your Time Starts Now |
| Website: | juliegoodwin.com.au |
Early Life
Julie Goodwin was born on 31 October 1970 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. She was the first-born daughter of Marlene and David McCormish.
Her biological father was absent in her childhood after leaving when she was three, and her mother was pregnant with her sister, Debbie.
Her mother, Marlene, remarried Tony Hunt when Julie was seven years old. Growing up, she was nerdy and studious. She was a clarinet player in the Hornsby Concert Band until she was 16.
Goodwin was the school captain at Hornsby Girls High School in Sydney. After completing her year 12, she joined the St Vincent de Paul’s Youth Group. She excelled at school and loved music, choir, debating, and computer club.
Career
Julie Goodwin entered season one of MasterChef Australia. She was among over 7,000 applicants for the show.
After she won the show, Goodwin appeared in a weekly cooking segment on the Today program in 2010. She appeared in The 7 pm Project and hosted Home Cooked!
She wrote her cookbook Our Family Table, published in April 2010. It features recipes she created on MasterChef Australia, including lemon diva cupcakes and passionfruit ‘puddle pie’.
Goodwin also dropped an album of traditional Christmas songs through Universal Music in 2010. She returned to MasterChef Australia to compete for the MasterChef Australia All-Stars in 2012. She raised $35,000 in charity for the Lort Smith Animal Hospital.
Goodwin released two cookbooks between 2012 and 2013. including Heart of the Home and Gather. In 2014, she launched her cooking school, Julie’s Place. In 2015, she appeared in season one of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!
Goodwin hosted the breakfast radio show Rabbit and Julie Goodwin on Star 104.5 on the Central Coast from 2015 to 2019.
She entered as one of the 24 contestants on MasterChef: Fans & Favourites on Ten in April 2022. She has published her memoir, Your Time Starts Now.
Goodwin announced she’d be part of Words on the Waves Writers Festival 2024 on 2 June 2024. She’d be joined by fellow Central Coast local incredible actor Rob Carlton.
Goodwin suffered bad tears in her calf muscle while rehearsing for Dancing With The Stars in July 2024. Doctors warned she may have to miss out.
Personal life
Julie Goodwin married Michael Goodwin in 1995. She met her husband at the St Vincent de Paul’s Youth Group. They began dating, have known each other for over 34 years, and have been married for over 28 years.
Goodwin and her husband share three children – Joe, Tom, and Paddy. She has a granddaughter, Delilah, and has confessed her eagerness for more family additions.
She moved to the Central Coast with her husband Mick nearly 25 years ago, where they raised their family.
In 2018, Goodwin was charged with drunk driving after making a U-turn to avoid testing. She returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.107, over double the legal limit.
After Goodwin pleaded guilty, she received a $600 fine. She had her license suspended for six months.
References
- Jane Rocca. “Julie Goodwin: ‘I have so much hope for this generation of young men’“. The Sydney Morning Herald
- Chanelle Mansour. “Julie Goodwin credits her granddaughter with helping her through the tough times“. New Idea
- Tiffany Dunk. “Julie Goodwin: ‘I’m lucky to be here’“. Now to Love
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Goodwin
