MasterChef star Ben Ungermann returns to work after assault charges

MasterChef: Back to Win contestant Ben Ungermann has been seen for the first time since being dumped from the popular cooking show following an arrest on sexual assault charges.

The 34-year-old appeared downcast and deep in thought as he returned to work as a head chef at Tommy Smith Cafe at Queensland’s Woodlands of Marburg resort on Friday.

Dressed in a black T-shirt and a green apron, Ungermann prepared takeaway orders and intermittently checked his iPhone.

He was charged on March 6 with two counts of sexual assault, following an alleged incident in Melbourne’s Docklands on February 23 involving a 16-year-old girl.

Ungermann appeared deep in thought as he stood by the window of the restaurant’s kitchen.  

He was charged by Victorian sexual crime squad detectives on March 6 with two counts of sexual assault. 

The charges followed an alleged incident in Melbourne’s Docklands on February 23 involving a 16-year-old girl.

First sighting since arrest broke: The 34-year-old was seen in the kitchen of the Tommy Smith Cafe at Queensland’s Woodlands of Marburg resort on Friday 

At the time, he was filming the latest series of MasterChef – but was removed from the competition once producers learned of his arrest. 

On March 20, it was first reported that Ungermann had been arrested.

At the time, a spokesperson for Endemol Shine described his arrest as being ‘of a personal nature’ but didn’t provide further details.

Headlines: Ungermann was charged by Victorian sexual crime squad detectives on March 6 with two counts of sexual assault 

Eliminated: At the time, he was filming the latest series of MasterChef – but was eliminated from the competition once producers learned of his arrest 

Reports: On March 20, it was first reported that Ungermann had been arrested 

Endemol Shine is the production company behind MasterChef and other popular shows, including Married At First Sight. 

Ungermann is expected to deny all allegations and has hired top criminal lawyer Adam Houda to represent him in court.

He is listed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 25. 

Pictured: The exterior of the Woodlands of Marburg heritage-listed resort 

Not clear: It was not known whether Ungermann would return to his job as head chef 

Mr Houda, who has 24 years’ experience in criminal law, told Daily Mail Australia his client was completely blindsided by the charges.

‘My client is distressed by the charges, which came as a huge shock to him,’ he said. ‘The allegations, I am instructed, are a complete fabrication and are denied.’ 

Ungermann was dropped from the cooking show’s opening title sequence following as of May 18. 

As reported by TV Tonight, Ungermann hasn’t been seen in the titles even though other eliminated contestants are still featured. 

MasterChef fans previously questioned why he wasn’t edited out of the show after he was charged three months ago. 

Virtually every reference to the cooking show contestant has been also been deleted from the website of the family’s Brisbane dessert parlour, the Ungermann Brothers.

Denying all allegations: Ungermann has hired top criminal lawyer Adam Houda to represent him in court. He is listed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 25 

Edited out: Ungermann was dropped from the cooking show’s opening title sequence following as of May 18 

Any trace of Ungermann has been erased since he was revealed to have been charged with the alleged sexual assault of a teenager. 

Gone is a lengthy ‘about us’ section which hailed Ben Ungermann as ‘the Ice Cream King’ and once spoke of he and brother Danny’s ‘journey … making an ice cream experience like no other.’ 

Every photograph of the well-known chef has been deleted.

Disappearing act: As reported by TV Tonight, Ungermann hasn’t been seen in the titles even though other eliminated contestants are still featured 

A prominent picture of Ungermann posing with his business director sibling has instead been replaced with an artistic image of a dollop of ice cream.  

A biography which once described Ungermann as the company’s founder has likewise been erased. 

At the same time, profiles of his business partner, brother and store manager, mother remain online.

Family business: Virtually every reference to the cooking show contestant has been also been deleted from the website of the family’s Brisbane dessert parlour, the Ungermann Brothers. Pictured with brother Danny (left) 

Profile: Ungermann’s bio had described him as the ‘founder’ of the business and detailed his achievements as the 2017 Masterchef runner-up, but it is now absent 

Ben’s bio had described him as the ‘founder’ of the business and detailed his achievements as the 2017 Masterchef runner-up, but it is now absent.

The deletions could have occurred at Ungermann’s suggestion, but neither he or representatives for the business responded to a request for comment. 

The profile had said Ungermann developed his love of ice cream while studying desserts as a contestant on the hit Network 10 show.

Ex: Ungermann’s ex-girlfriend Alicia Miller (pictured), who dated him for four years and was also his manager, told Woman’s Day on Monday she was ‘sorry’ to hear about the alleged incident and confirmed she had not spoken to him for a year 

Comments: ‘I’m sorry to hear this has allegedly happened to some poor, innocent girl. [Ben and I] parted ways professionally last year in June and I haven’t had contact since then,’ Miller said 

‘When I arrived back home I spoke with my brother Danny and asked if he would start this venture with me.

‘Its amazing to see how far we have come and can’t wait to release all the other plans and idea’s I have in the near future (sic)’.

The brothers’ business was launched to much fanfare two years’ ago and is a well-regarded local landmark known for its ‘artisan’ ice cream and 50s-style interior.  

Ungermann’s ex-girlfriend Alicia Miller, who dated him for four years and was also his manager, told Woman’s Day on Monday she was ‘sorry’ to hear about the alleged incident and confirmed she had not spoken to him for a year. 

Moving on: After breaking up with Miller sometime in 2017 or 2018, Ungermann began dating South African radio presenter Leigh-Anne Williams (pictured) 

‘I’m sorry to hear this has allegedly happened to some poor, innocent girl. [Ben and I] parted ways professionally last year in June and I haven’t had contact since then,’ Miller said.  

After breaking up with Miller sometime in 2017 or 2018, Ungermann began dating South African radio presenter Leigh-Anne Williams.

It’s unclear if Ungermann and Williams, who is based in Cape Town, are still together.

Still together? It’s unclear if Ungermann and Williams (pictured), who is based in Cape Town, are still together