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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Gemma Collins shows off her natural short hair in makeup-free selfie as she jets off on holiday after being left 'terrified' by an 'abusive and menacing' letter sent to her home
Gemma Collins showed off her natural short locks as she ditched her hair extensions to jet off on a sun-soaked holiday. The TOWIE star, 44, told her Instagram followers that she'd 'activated' holiday mode as she showed off her bob on Wednesday morning. The post, in which a tanned Gemma posed for a selfie in a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses, also saw her show off her natural beauty as she went makeup-free. Alongside the photo she penned: 'Holiday MODE ACTIVATED. loving my old skool @chloe glasses (yellow heart emoji) make up free short hair it's a VIBE. 'Just some individual lashes and a lip (lips emoji) blush from 6 years ago mine really lasted'. Gemma's bob is a far-cry from the look she sported during her years on The Only Way is Essex. The GC - who is currently engaged to businessman Rami Hawash, 50 - usually rocks a much longer flowing blonde hairstyle. Fans however were a fan of the change-up, with some taking to the comments section of Gemma's post to compliment her. They wrote: 'Love the bob', 'Love your hair too xx 20 years younger xx', 'Lovely, the haircut really suits you'. Gemma's getaway comes just a week or so after she was left 'terrified' when she received an 'abusing and menacing' letter to the home. The GC was forced to call in police as the man behind the letter detailed his strong dislike for her, even threatening to track her down. A source close to the reality TV star told The Sun in mid-June: 'Gemma was left shaken and very scared for her safety after she received a threatening and abusive letter from a man expressing his extreme dislike for her and using menacing language. 'It was really nasty and made reference to tracking her down, so she called the police straight away. 'It was alarming that this man knew her home address, but she already upped security and has round-the-clock guard dogs and has cameras onsite. 'She is always incredibly friendly with all her fans and happy to stop for pictures and a chat so to have someone send such an unpleasant letter has really shocked her.' The insider shared that there is now an ongoing investigation and Gemma is 'grateful' to the police for taking the matter seriously. The source added: 'She thought about what had happened to Holly Willoughby and her kidnap threat ordeal so didn't want to take any chances.' MailOnline contacted Gemma's representatives for comment about the matter. And in what has clearly been a rocky June for the reality star, she was also struck down with pneumonia earlier this month. After being left with no choice but to take some time off social media, Gemma returned to let her fans know the extent of her illness. She explained that her condition had been leaving her breathless 'really quickly' but due to medics diagnosing it as viral, antibiotics would be ineffective. She told The Mirror: 'It's shocking, I've had it now for over three weeks and I had steroids given to me by my doctor. It was DJ Fat Tony's wedding and I had to take them to get through that,' 'But I'm off them now and the sickness is really kicking back in. It's so frustrating because I normally have so much energy and I'm always loving life, but now I get really breathless really quickly and I feel like I'm dying.' Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. Most people get better in two to four weeks, but babies, older people, and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill and may need treatment in hospital. Taking to her Stories Gemma shared snaps as she underwent X-rays while praising medical staff for their care. She wrote: 'Thank you to all the amazing doctors helping me your real life angels'. Announcing the news of her condition in early June, Gemma shared a photo of herself in bed looking poorly in bed. She wrote: 'Hey guys sorry been quiet i have Pneumonia. I'm not as fast or on it as I usually am on the daily. 'I am still honouring my work commitments which is taking every bit of energy I have but will be back entertaining you all soon.' On her Story she added an update as she showed she was on a drip and had been visited by a doctor. One post that showed a drip in her arm read: 'I'm having to take it easy which is not like me very slow and get so out of breath and tired so quick.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Love Island hit with Ofcom complaints as furious fans hit out at show ‘bullies'
LOVE Island has become embroiled in a new controversy after complaints were lodged with Ofcom following a row in the Majorca villa.. Viewers were left stunned by what they described as 'bullying' behaviour from islanders Toni, 24, and Shakira, 22, towards Emily, 24, during Sunday's dramatic episode. 4 Some fans called the scenes 'difficult to watch' and 'downright mean' on social media, with 56 lodging official complaints to the telly watchdog. The drama began brewing on Friday night when Toni criticised Emily's upbeat attitude in a conversation with Megan, saying: 'I can't listen to her. 'Little Miss Sunshine' all the time.' She later doubled down, saying bluntly: 'Emily's just f**king nosey.' Things reached a boiling point when Shakira confronted Emily on Sunday, telling her: 'I feel like in situations, it's a case of reading the room a little bit…I feel like you've not made an effort with us.' Emily pushed back, saying she felt unfairly targeted. She said 'Just 'cause she's in a bad mood doesn't mean I can't be in a good mood…you should have come to me.' When Emily later discussed the exchange with other islanders, Shakira followed her and pulled her aside again - this time accusing Emily of being 'bitchy' and gossiping behind their backs. Emily stood her ground and denied the accusations, but the fallout didn't go unnoticed. Social media lit up with furious reactions: 'What's with the bullying in this villa????' 'So uncomfy to watch. All the girls just bullying one another—it's disgusting.' Love Island 'bully' row as Toni and Shakira turn on Emily in massive argument 'Emily hasn't done anything to deserve this. Shakira and Toni are bullies. Simple.' It started when Toni previously said Emily was annoying because of her 'Little Miss Sunshine' persona. Her behaviour was called out by Love Island winner Jess Harding. She wrote about Ton's "b****y behaviour" and said on Instagram: "Ok what the hell, just because someone isn't your cup of tea doesn't mean you can cause a big drama over it?!" Jess began her caption. "Toni girl I loved you but I don't like b****y behaviour & pulling crying behaviour." Jess continued: "Why can't the girls be 1 big group cos these men be acting CRAZY." Toni - who arrived as the first bombshell of the series - was left single when Emily and Conor coupled up. 4 4
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Brit paedo duped me into rounding up kids for Disneyland child wedding…his girl ‘bride', 9, has been saved from hell
THE casting director behind the Disneyland child wedding has revealed she was duped into rounding up kids to watch Brit paedophile Jacky Jhaj "marry" a nine-year-old girl. Amande Cross says she was initially presented with a "high-end luxury wedding-themed rehearsal" which soon transcended into the "extremely disturbing" event. 8 8 8 8 Jhaj, 39, previously jailed in the UK for child sex offences, was arrested for putting on the sick stunt below the Sleeping Beauty castle as hundreds of alarmed "guests" watched. The disgraced self-proclaimed director and actor from Feltham was put away for four years in 2016 after being found guilty on four counts of sexual activity with two 15-year-olds. His latest arrest came on Saturday, with French police charging him with multiple offences on Tuesday in connection with the staged stunt. The sex offender was allegedly the "groom" in the twisted fake wedding ceremony - involving a nine-year-old girl as "bride". Staff at Disney immediately called cops after seeing a "scared and confused" child in a big dress with four-inch heels taped to her feet, reports French newspaper Le Parisien. Jhaj was described as the "mastermind" behind the disgusting stunt. I'm most all relieved this little girl has been saved from hell Anande CrossCasting Director, Le Casting Parisien The Facebook ad for the abominable production was revealed, offering kids as young as five 200 euros to be an "extra" in the fake wedding. Now the casting director behind the stunt has spoken out on her devastation after being duped by sick Jhaj. Anande Cross of Le Casting Parisien told The Sun how the "wedding-themed rehearsal" turned out to be something "extremely disturbing and unqualifiable," orchestrated by "a very sick man". She said as soon as she "found out" what was happening, she "reached out to the extras to provide moral support" and "began documenting everything for possible legal follow-up". Anande explained: "I cannot express strongly enough the revulsion and grief I feel for what occurred. "I am particularly heartbroken for the families and children who were present that day, some of whom were kicked out of the park like criminals, left stranded in the early hours of the morning. "It was inhumane, and I stand in full solidarity with the French artistic community I'm part of." Both Disneyland Paris and the "guests" claim they were deliberately misled - none knew a child would be involved in the mock wedding. Anande added that she is "relieved that this known predator" is "behind bars" but remains concerned of the "systematic failures that allowed this to happen in the first place". Jhaj has reportedly been charged with fraud, breach of trust, money laundering and identity theft after the horror incident. Anande said: "I stand today in anger and fierce solidarity with all the victims and I'm most all relieved this little girl has been saved from hell. "I want to thank the extraordinary artists, actors, and models who showed strength, calm, and unity during this nightmare. 8 8 8 "I now know that you can never be too thorough when vetting clients, and I vow to uphold even stricter investigative standards moving forward." The casting director concluded how justice mustn't be "selective" but be "for all". 100 kids aged five to 15 were required in the production, according to the ad, with those involved having to maintain "absolute confidentiality". Their role was to "stand up, sit, applaud and play their part in the prestigious gathering". A private bus service to transport"guests" from the Paris city centre to the "exceptional live shoot" was offered. And those who attended what was dubbed in the ad a "high-end wedding rehearsal" were required to wear a "very elegant evening outfit" like a "suit, evening dress or tuxedo". Jhaj and the "bride" girl's 41-year-old mother, believed to be Ukrainian, were arrested, along with two others involved in the ceremony. The sex offender even conned Disney officials by "assuming the identity of a Latvian national and using false documents to secure the contract" of the park, according to a Meaux prosecuting spokesman. Prosecutors confirmed on Tuesday that Jhaj is known in the UK "for sexual offences against minors" and is on the run from British authorities, French prosecutors say. Before his arrest, he drove around the streets of Hounslow, offering girls alcohol and claiming to be a Hollywood film producer. After his conviction, Detective Constable Nav Johal, the investigating officer from Hounslow CID, said: "Thanks to the courage and bravery of the young vulnerable victims who gave evidence, a dangerous sexual predator has been brought to justice. 'I am hopeful that the verdict and sentencing will give them some peace and closure, and they will be able to, in time, move forward from this difficult period." But the convicted paedophile has pulled a string of distasteful stunts since being released from jail. In September 2024, Jhaj staged an explosion using an old BBC truck and Union Jack-draped vehicles packed with explosives, filming himself naked as the blaze spiralled out of control behind him. A year before the explosion, footage surfaced of Jhaj mixing with around 200 children and 100 young women at a film shoot in London's Leicester Square. A Met spokesperson said: "A 39-year-old man is wanted by the Met Police for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a breach of a Sex Offenders' Register notification requirement. "We are aware the man has been arrested in France for other matters and officers are in contact with the French authorities." 8
