In exciting news for MasterChef Australia fans, Adelaide’s very own Poh Ling Yeow is set to appear in the MasterChef kitchen once again. But this time, she won’t be competing for the title or mentoring. Instead, she’s dishing out her culinary wisdom as a judge for the 2024 season.
This will mark the 16th season of the reality cooking show, which will once again welcome an array of guests chefs from around the world.
“Talk about a thrilling, full circle moment. MasterChef is where my story began so it feels like coming home,” Poh said in an Instagram post.
“A big part of me will always be standing on the other side with the contestants and I hope when they look to me they see proof you don’t have to win to win.”
Malaysian-born Poh has been a part of the MasterChef family from the start, competing on the show in Season 1 and was runner-up to winner Julie Goodwin, narrowly missing out on the top spot by just 7 points.
Since then, she has been a familiar face in the MasterChef kitchen, returning as a guest judge and mentor in several seasons before making a grand return as a contestant again in 2020 in the ‘Back to Win’ season.
Poh has gone on to be a successful cook, writer and television presenter, releasing numerous cookbooks, starring in two of her own TV shows, ‘Poh’s Kitchen’ and ‘Poh & Co,’ appearing in ‘I’m a Celebrity…’ and hosting ‘Snackmasters.’
Poh will be joining the three other Masterchef judges: Australian cook and food critic Andy Allen, who has been judging since 2020 and was a Season 4 winner, Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and food critic Sofia Levin.
The announcement of the 2024 judges comes months after the tragic passing of Jock Zonfrillo, who passed in April this year.
“MasterChef Australia has been part of my life for over a decade. It gave me a pathway into the industry and led me to a career that I’m forever grateful for. After an extremely difficult year in 2023, and upon reflection, the decision to return to the series is not one I took lightly,” Andy says.
“But there is something special in the MasterChef Australia Kitchen, and it feels right to come
back to work with the amazing production team, and to play my role in seeing the contestants do
as I have done. 2024 will be the start of a new chapter, and it will be surreal – yet brilliant – to
share this moment with my fellow judges, Poh, Sofia and Jean-Christophe.”
Meanwhile, food writer and critic Melissa Leong is leaving the MasterChef judging table and jumping over to MasterChef: Dessert Masters, with Swiss-French pastry chef Amaury Guichon.
“My time as co-host and judge on MasterChef has been a great gift. To have been given the opportunity to learn and grow – and now to be given the vote of confidence to expand and evolve the MasterChef universe is huge,” Melissa said in an Instagram post.
“Stepping away from the main show and into Dessert Masters alongside the extraordinary Amaury Guichon is yet another sweet present indeed.”
“It is with great warmth and enthusiasm that I wish this new lineup of judges and hosts all the best in making it theirs, and big love to Andy Allen for leading the way.”
To stay up-to-date with MasterChef, click here.
More News
