However, two years after the Aucklander became a household name by winning the show, you will not see her labouring over a hot stove in a restaurant kitchen.
Instead, Winter has translated her fame, good looks and skills into what appears to be a lucrative career as a self-described ''cooking girl''.
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times at Arrowtown's Millbrook Resort last week, the morning after a promotional event for her new cookbook, Everyday Delicious, Winter said the win had opened up previously unimagined opportunities.
She now spends her days writing and testing recipes, giving cooking demonstrations, writing a weekly magazine column, and working as an ambassador for several food industry brands.
''There isn't really a label for what I am. I'm not a chef. I haven't done 20 years in a restaurant kitchen.
She spent ''hours'' each day responding to emails, letters and social media messages from users of her cookbooks.
''I think I've found what I really enjoy, which is inspiring home cooking. I connect with far more people doing what I'm doing. But owning a restaurant or cafe is still something I would like to do in the future,'' she said.
Her first book, At My Table, was still in the best-sellers lists as recently as a fortnight ago, while her new one, released earlier this month, is on its third reprint.
She felt a ''little bit sad'' when TVNZ decided this month to axe MasterChef after five seasons.
''It's the best cooking programme in New Zealand.''
