Latest news with #JeanChristopheNovelli
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Guess who! MasterChef judge looks almost unrecognisable in throwback photo
He's the popular judge on the hit Network Ten reality show MasterChef Australia. Since joining the show, he has quickly become a fan favourite for the way he mentors the hopeful chefs. The famous foodie comes with quite the kitchen pedigree, having been awarded a formidable four Michelin stars. He's no slouch in front of the camera as well, having appeared in a raft of small-screen fare, including Chef Academy, Celebrity X Factor, Cooking With The Stars, Celebrity Hunted UK, Hell's Kitchen UK, and many more. One eagle-eyed MasterChef fan received quite the shock when they spotted the culinary king in a resurfaced clip from a 17-year-old show. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Can you guess who it is? That's right! It's none other than lauded French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. Social media user Vivid_Percentage5560 took to Reddit this week to share a throwback photo of Jean-Christophe during an appearance as a judge on American Top Chef in 2008. 'Guess who was a judge on the American Top Chef season 5?' they asked, before revealing they only realised who it was upon hearing his distinctive French accent. 'Jean-Christophe Novelli!' they excitedly responded. 'I was re-watching old episodes of Top Chef and recognised his voice.' The photo showed a very serious-looking Jean-Christophe pictured when he was around 47 years old. He looked almost unrecognisable, sporting a much fuller face than the one that appears in the MasterChef kitchen. While his hairstyle has not changed much in the ensuing years, it appears Jean-Christophe has gone a couple of shades lighter. The post was met with a flurry of chatter from fans, with the likes of: 'No way!!!' Another made reference to Jean-Christophe's accent with: 'This find is fan-tas-tique!' A third added that they too had been keeping tabs on Jean-Christophe's earlier TV appearances. 'He was a mentor chef on some older season of Cooking with the Stars and that was the only reason why I watched it,' they offered. Jean-Christophe joined the cast of MasterChef in 2024, starring as a judge alongside Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, and Sofia Levin. He quickly became a fan favourite, with many viewers taken by Jean-Christophe's mentorship and personality. Just weeks before last year's MasterChef finale, fans flocked to Reddit to expresss their dismay that Jean-Chrisophe was not given more screen time on his inaugural season. But one disgruntled fan noted: 'I personally love him, but I feel the contestants as well as the judges don't pay much attention to him. 'Kinda chuckle whenever he's talking out loud, laugh embarrassingly whenever he praises or bangs the table. 'Poh gets all the attention and is part of everything. Even when he's praising the contestants, they don't take him seriously.' The viewer went on to say Jean-Christophe is very 'sweet' and tries 'to be as helpful as possible, but nobody really cares'. Other users voiced their agreement, with many praising the restaurateur for his uplifting and positive personality on the Channel 10 cooking competition. 'He's totally our favourite judge. Total breath of fresh air,' one person said.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE MasterChef's Poh Ling Yeow breaks her silence on rumours she is quitting popular cooking show - and if she will be returning in 2026
Poh Ling Yeow has addressed swirling rumours she's stepping away from MasterChef Australia. Daily Mail Australia can reveal the 51-year-old has signed on to return for the 2026 season, putting an end to recent speculation she was preparing to bow out. A spokesperson for the popular chef flatly denied the claims, revealing: 'There's no truth to the speculation. Poh is loving her time on MasterChef and feels like she's found her place.' It follows a report by New Idea earlier this week suggesting Poh was considering leaving the series, prompting executives to quietly begin scouting a new judge to join Andy Allen, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli at the judging table. Among the names floated as a potential replacement? None other than fan favourite Julie Goodwin - the very contestant who beat Poh to win the first season of MasterChef back in 2009. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Julie would be a fantastic judge. Fans love her,' a source told the magazine. 'While no one wants to see Poh leave, everyone would welcome Julie back with open arms.' Julie, 54, made a triumphant return to the franchise in 2022 and delighted fans when she appeared as a guest judge last year. Insiders told the magazine she 'absolutely loved' the experience and would be open to returning in a more permanent capacity if the opportunity arose. Poh, meanwhile, joined the judging panel in 2022 following the shock death of Jock Zonfrillo and the departures of Melissa Leong and Andy Allen. While she's embraced the role, the artist-turned-chef has admitted the transition hasn't always been seamless. Speaking on the From The Newsroom podcast earlier this year, Poh revealed she often finds herself mentally back in the contestant's apron. 'I constantly run through the challenges that I have just delivered and think about what I would do in that situation,' she said. 'That's how much I miss and love it.' She has also taken on a new role outside the MasterChef kitchen and was announced as an ambassador for Tourism NT in January. At the time, she said she wishes to inspire Australians to discover a holiday up north that is 'different in every sense'. 'As someone who adores travel, learning, and finding inspiration in new places, the NT is a dream destination,' Poh said. 'From the breathtaking Top End to the awe-inspiring Red Centre, I've fallen in love with it all - and I couldn't be prouder to showcase everything this extraordinary place has to offer!' In her new role, Poh will spotlight the 'unparalleled beauty, rich cultures, vibrant food scene and artistic heritage' of the Northern Territory. Poh stepped into the role after gracing the cover of The Australian Women's Weekly for the first ever Outback Christmas issue last year. She has since been exploring the vast territory, famous for its red desert landscapes, and visiting some iconic destinations. Travelling through Top End, the celebrity cook enjoyed stops at Litchfield National Park, Finniss River Lodge and the Territory's tropical capital, Darwin. She then made her way down to the Red Centre where she visited Alice Springs (Mparntwe), Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Poh Ling Yeow is set to 'leave her judging post on MasterChef' - as executives eye off a fan favourite to replace her
MasterChef Australia fan favourite Poh Ling Yeow is reportedly set to 'leave her judging post' as the cooking competition faces another shake-up in the star cast. The celebrity cook, 51, is said to be preparing her exit from the long-running series at the end of this season - prompting executives to search for a new judge to join Andy Allen, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli on the panel, reported New Idea. And there's already one name being floated as a potential replacement – beloved original contestant Julie Goodwin. 'Julie would be a fantastic judge. Fans love her,' a source told the outlet. 'While no one wants to see Poh leave, everyone would welcome Julie back with open arms.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Julie, 54, who beat Poh in the very first season of MasterChef back in 2009, returned to the franchise in 2022 before making a surprise appearance as a guest judge in 2023. Insiders say she 'absolutely loved' her time on the other side of the bench and could be ready to return in a more permanent capacity. Poh, who joined the judging panel in 2022, has previously admitted the role hasn't always come naturally to her. Earlier this year, she opened up on the From The Newsroom podcast, revealing she often imagines herself back in the contestant's shoes. 'I constantly run through the challenges that I have just delivered and think about what I would do in that situation,' she said. 'That's how much I miss and love it.' It comes after Poh announced she would be stepping away from the kitchen as she revealed she'll be working closely with Tourism NT as their new ambassador. She revealed she wishes to inspire Australians to discover a holiday up north that is 'different in every sense'. 'As someone who adores travel, learning, and finding inspiration in new places, the NT is a dream destination,' Poh said. 'From the breathtaking Top End to the awe-inspiring Red Centre, I've fallen in love with it all - and I couldn't be prouder to showcase everything this extraordinary place has to offer!' In her new role, Poh will spotlight the 'unparalleled beauty, rich cultures, vibrant food scene and artistic heritage' of the Northern Territory. Poh stepped into the role after gracing the cover of The Australian Women's Weekly for the first ever Outback Christmas issue last year. She has since been exploring the vast territory, famous for its red desert landscapes, and visiting some iconic destinations. Travelling through Top End, the celebrity cook enjoyed stops at Litchfield National Park, Finniss River Lodge and the Territory's tropical capital, Darwin. She then made her way down to the Red Centre where she visited Alice Springs (Mparntwe), Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole. Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve and the majestic Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park were also on her list of travel destinations.
