Latest news with #PohLingYeow
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef Australia's most difficult challenge yet sees eliminated contestant left with 'PTSD' after attempt at iconic Balloon Puppy cake
Fan favourite Jimmy Wong had to hang up his apron on Tuesday after he was eliminated in a brutal dessert challenge on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win. The 58-year-old who last appeared on the cooking competition in season 8 confessed he was 'gutted' when his dish fell short. Jimmy joined Ben, Rue and Tim in recreating an elaborate Balloon Puppy cake from guest judge Steven He of Melbourne 's Le Yeahllow. The amazing looking entrement treat featured a base of chocolate fairy sponge, shortbread crumble with dark chocolate and a layer of sour cherry compote and another layer of chocolate sponge. Between each layer there is ganache made from English breakfast tea, topped with a decoration of a miniature 'balloon dog' made of white chocolate. However, when Jimmy presented his version of the dessert his 'puppy' looked more like a 'potato starting to sprout' complained judge Andy Allen. Things went downhill for Jimmy with the judges complaining of 'flawed flavours', even if Andy ended up praising the cook for his 'delicious' cake. ''I'm so sorry to say Jimmy you're going home,' Judge Poh Ling Yeow announced at the end of the episode. An emotional Jimmy then paid tribute to his time on the show. 'I'm gutted but you know what? It's been an absolute privilege to be part of this amazing experience 'And I just wish all of you the best of luck and I will not be stopping,' he told the finalists. 'I will continue to fight for the things that I love and continue on this journey of mine.' In the end it was Ben Macdonald who triumphed walking away the winner of the next-level challenge. Jimmy later reviewed his own performance in a chat with 10Play. 'I was in my head, I wasn't able to get past the stress and the anxiety over following recipes in that time frame,' he told the platform. 'I have a little bit of PTSD from that experience,' he joked. 'Coming in this time, I said, look, just believe in yourself, sit into the process and trust your gut. Try to be as calm as possible because I know I've had enough experience in between the two seasons to believe in the fact that I can do this.' It comes after MasterChef Australia: Back to Win sent home Matt Hopcraft after the dentist failed to impress the judges in Sunday's elimination challenge. Matt, 53, who finished sixth on the cooking competition in 2015, hung up his apron when his Italian meringue missed the mark. The popular contestant struggled in the presentation of his Bombe Alaska dessert which included a burning rum finish. However, the dish was a disappointment with the meringue ending up wet, instead of silky, a result of Matt running out of time. Matt was given credit for his delicious ice cream by Andy Allen, but the judge also slammed the dish for its 'overly boozy' flavour. come to an abrupt end,' Matt said in an Instagram post.
Sydney Morning Herald
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I feel horrible doing this': Inside Poh's hardest challenge yet
It's no exaggeration to say Poh Ling Yeow– a woman, like Beyoncé, I could have simply identified as 'Poh' – is one of the most beloved people in the country. The inaugural MasterChef runner-up has been a staple in our homes for 16 years, sharing her infectious joy for cooking through ABC and SBS series and books. In 2020, she provided must-see viewing during lockdowns returning for a chaotic season of MasterChef: Back to Win and was soon after voted Australian reality TV contestant of the decade in AACTA's Audience Choice Awards, beating the likes of Sophie Monk and Chrissie Swan. She's on our screens more than ever, having returned to the Channel Ten show where it all began as a judge last year (alongside Andy Allen, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli) and backing it up this week with a new season of Back to Win. As far as audiences are concerned, there could be no one better suited to the job. Loading But Yeow still isn't convinced. 'I don't know if I'm very good at it, actually,' she says, her famous full-throated laugh radiating down the phone line. 'In fact, I know I'm not that good at it. I'm a bit of a waffler … I'm not very good at delivering really succinct, catchy phrases. I find it very hard.' 'ABC is very much my brand,' she goes on, possibly stressing out the Ten PR team listening in on the call. 'A bit arty. Quality content. And they don't mind a waffler! It was a really safe space … If I had gone out on my own on a commercial network, I think I would have really struggled. 'But it's been so awesome to have this full circle moment and be back again. It's been such a crazy journey. It really has.' When Malaysian-born Yeow, a then-35-year-old painter from Adelaide, first applied to MasterChef in 2009, she didn't expect any of this. '[The show] was a complete pie-in-the-sky thing that no one knew about,' she says, recalling how a friend had sent her the entry form. 'I had such humble aspirations. I thought I was going to come back and start a little cottage industry making jam. No joke.' While she did have aspirations to write a book at some point – a record of her family recipes – Yeow's motivation on the show was more personal than professional. 'I felt like I'd let so much of my culture slip away, trying to assimilate as a kid. And I was at this point in my life where I was just feeling a little bit wistful about the fact I hadn't nurtured those parts of me more. 'I'd lost the language, and I didn't really relate to the values any more because I was so Australianised. So food became this really important thing. I started to think about food quite obsessively, learning all the dishes that I grew up with.' To use some of the MasterChef parlance that would go on to define the next decade of Australian primetime, Yeow's story was one of the first 'food journeys' – a home cook given the hero treatment, beloved for her skill and relatability in equal measure. And the fact she was achieving such success while also embracing her cultural heritage was a landmark moment for Asian-Australian representation on screen. 'To be completely honest, the public validation was very nice,' she says, reflecting on that first season. 'I grew up such a lonesome kid and this was something I guess I'd yearned for my whole life. It had this very profound effect on me on so many levels – not just career-wise, but also the way I saw myself.' Yeow admits that in the years since the early seasons, the show strayed from its trademark relatability – and suffered for it. 'I think it's gone through many iterations,' she says. 'At the beginning, it was all about the home cook … And then it went crazy-foodie and I think we did lose some people along the way. But I feel like we've orbited back to that, which I really love. We want [audiences] to be able to relate to the food and to the flavours that we're showcasing.' Does a Back to Win season, featuring now-professional chefs showcasing their skills – and to some degree using the platform to boost their profiles and existing businesses – complicate that? It worked well enough in 2020. The season Yeow starred in was a ratings hit. And while the success was hugely influenced by a captive audience in COVID lockdowns and the novelty of a new judging panel (Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and the late Jock Zonfrillo), the show itself was still hugely entertaining. Nostalgia for past contestants such as Poh also certainly drew back viewers who had long since disengaged. This season features many familiar faces including Callum Hann and Laura Sharrad, both entering the MasterChef kitchen for the third time and having last competed against Yeow in 2020. Andre Ursini, who placed seventh in season one, is also back for another crack. 'I felt really scared coming back [for this season],' Yeow says. ' Back to Win is all the people that I competed against, and now I have to judge them. I feel horrible doing this. But they've all taken it on the chin and been so lovely to me … I think a lot of my role is about the mentoring and the empathy, having been in that position a couple of times.' Loading Having had a closer look at how these contestants work, she says she's also been eating 'a bit of humble pie'. Despite taking some losses hard at the time, she says 'I completely understand why a lot of them beat me'. 'I've seen them take my advice on board too, so I feel okay about being in this position,' she says, laughing. 'But I'll never say I completely feel comfortable in it.'
The Age
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘I feel horrible doing this': Inside Poh's hardest challenge yet
It's no exaggeration to say Poh Ling Yeow– a woman, like Beyoncé, I could have simply identified as 'Poh' – is one of the most beloved people in the country. The inaugural MasterChef runner-up has been a staple in our homes for 16 years, sharing her infectious joy for cooking through ABC and SBS series and books. In 2020, she provided must-see viewing during lockdowns returning for a chaotic season of MasterChef: Back to Win and was soon after voted Australian reality TV contestant of the decade in AACTA's Audience Choice Awards, beating the likes of Sophie Monk and Chrissie Swan. She's on our screens more than ever, having returned to the Channel Ten show where it all began as a judge last year (alongside Andy Allen, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli) and backing it up this week with a new season of Back to Win. As far as audiences are concerned, there could be no one better suited to the job. Loading But Yeow still isn't convinced. 'I don't know if I'm very good at it, actually,' she says, her famous full-throated laugh radiating down the phone line. 'In fact, I know I'm not that good at it. I'm a bit of a waffler … I'm not very good at delivering really succinct, catchy phrases. I find it very hard.' 'ABC is very much my brand,' she goes on, possibly stressing out the Ten PR team listening in on the call. 'A bit arty. Quality content. And they don't mind a waffler! It was a really safe space … If I had gone out on my own on a commercial network, I think I would have really struggled. 'But it's been so awesome to have this full circle moment and be back again. It's been such a crazy journey. It really has.' When Malaysian-born Yeow, a then-35-year-old painter from Adelaide, first applied to MasterChef in 2009, she didn't expect any of this. '[The show] was a complete pie-in-the-sky thing that no one knew about,' she says, recalling how a friend had sent her the entry form. 'I had such humble aspirations. I thought I was going to come back and start a little cottage industry making jam. No joke.' While she did have aspirations to write a book at some point – a record of her family recipes – Yeow's motivation on the show was more personal than professional. 'I felt like I'd let so much of my culture slip away, trying to assimilate as a kid. And I was at this point in my life where I was just feeling a little bit wistful about the fact I hadn't nurtured those parts of me more. 'I'd lost the language, and I didn't really relate to the values any more because I was so Australianised. So food became this really important thing. I started to think about food quite obsessively, learning all the dishes that I grew up with.' To use some of the MasterChef parlance that would go on to define the next decade of Australian primetime, Yeow's story was one of the first 'food journeys' – a home cook given the hero treatment, beloved for her skill and relatability in equal measure. And the fact she was achieving such success while also embracing her cultural heritage was a landmark moment for Asian-Australian representation on screen. 'To be completely honest, the public validation was very nice,' she says, reflecting on that first season. 'I grew up such a lonesome kid and this was something I guess I'd yearned for my whole life. It had this very profound effect on me on so many levels – not just career-wise, but also the way I saw myself.' Yeow admits that in the years since the early seasons, the show strayed from its trademark relatability – and suffered for it. 'I think it's gone through many iterations,' she says. 'At the beginning, it was all about the home cook … And then it went crazy-foodie and I think we did lose some people along the way. But I feel like we've orbited back to that, which I really love. We want [audiences] to be able to relate to the food and to the flavours that we're showcasing.' Does a Back to Win season, featuring now-professional chefs showcasing their skills – and to some degree using the platform to boost their profiles and existing businesses – complicate that? It worked well enough in 2020. The season Yeow starred in was a ratings hit. And while the success was hugely influenced by a captive audience in COVID lockdowns and the novelty of a new judging panel (Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and the late Jock Zonfrillo), the show itself was still hugely entertaining. Nostalgia for past contestants such as Poh also certainly drew back viewers who had long since disengaged. This season features many familiar faces including Callum Hann and Laura Sharrad, both entering the MasterChef kitchen for the third time and having last competed against Yeow in 2020. Andre Ursini, who placed seventh in season one, is also back for another crack. 'I felt really scared coming back [for this season],' Yeow says. ' Back to Win is all the people that I competed against, and now I have to judge them. I feel horrible doing this. But they've all taken it on the chin and been so lovely to me … I think a lot of my role is about the mentoring and the empathy, having been in that position a couple of times.' Loading Having had a closer look at how these contestants work, she says she's also been eating 'a bit of humble pie'. Despite taking some losses hard at the time, she says 'I completely understand why a lot of them beat me'. 'I've seen them take my advice on board too, so I feel okay about being in this position,' she says, laughing. 'But I'll never say I completely feel comfortable in it.'
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
MasterChef Australia: Back to Win OTT Release Date - When and where to watch, what to expect from 2025 edition
MasterChef Australia: Back to Win OTT Release Date - The much-anticipated 17th season of this hit cooking show is ready to premiere in India exclusively on JioHotstar starting April 29, 2025. New episodes will be released daily, allowing fans to follow the culinary journey of returning contestants as they compete for the coveted title and a grand prize of $250,000. What's new in MasterChef Australia: Back to Win? This season brings back 24 fan-favourite contestants from previous seasons, ranging from Season 1 to Season 16. These returning chefs are set to showcase their growth and compete in high-stakes challenges under the guidance of the show's esteemed judges. The judging panel includes Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Sofia Levin. Who is returning in MasterChef Australia: Back to Win? Here's the full list of 24 contestants competing in MasterChef Australia: Back to Win 2025: Alana Lowes (Season 3 – 3rd place) Andre Ursini (Season 1 – 7th place) Audra Morrice (Season 4 – 3rd place) Beau Cook (Season 4 – 8th place) Ben Macdonald (Season 6 – 6th place) Callum Hann (Season 2 & 12 – 2nd & 4th place) Cath Collins (Season 15 – 5th place) Darrsh Clarke (Season 16 – 6th place) Declan Cleary (Season 15 – 3rd place) Depinder Chhibber (Season 13 – 8th place) Jamie Fleming (Season 6 – 4th place) Jimmy Wong (Season 8 – 19th place) Laura Sharrad (Season 6 & 12 – 2nd, 2nd place) Matt Hopcraft (Season 7 – 6th place) Pete Campbell (Season 13 – 2nd place) Rhiannon Anderson (Season 15 – 2nd place) Rue Mupedzi (Season 15 – 7th place) Samira El Khafir (Season 5 – 3rd place) Sarah Todd (Season 6 & 14 – 9th, 2nd place) Savindri Perera (Season 16 – 3rd place) Snezana Calic (Season 16 – 15th place) Steph De Sousa (Season 11 – 12th place) Theo Loizou (Season 15 – 4th place) Tim Bone (Season 11 – 4th place) What to expect from MasterChef Australia: Back to Win? MasterChef Australia: Back to Win 2025 promises to be bigger, tougher, and more emotional than ever. Plus, with special guests like Gordon Ramsay making appearances, the pressure in the kitchen will be sky-high. Fans can look forward to creative plating, global flavours, and heartwarming personal stories as the contestants chase their dream of winning the MasterChef title they once missed.
News.com.au
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Poh's shock confession about MasterChef judging role
MasterChef judge Poh Ling Yeow has made a surprising confession about her role on the show. Speaking to podcast, From the Newsroom, Poh revealed that she prefers being a contestant on the Channel 10 reality show more than being a judge. 'I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I love the chaos (of being a contestant) and there's nothing quite as exhilarating as just having days on end where you do not know what's going to happen,' she said about her time as a MasterChef competitor in 2009 and 2020. 'Even when I'm standing … at the top of the room (as a judge), I sometimes fantasise about being a contestant again,' Poh added. 'I constantly run through the challenges that I have just delivered and think about what I would do in that situation. That's how much I miss and love it.' Poh joined the judging panel last year alongside newcomers Jean-Christophe Novelli and Sofia Levin, as well as existing judge Andy Allen. The four judges will return to screens on Monday night for the premiere of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, which will see 24 past contestants return for another shot at glory. Speaking to Poh admitted that she's still struggling to get her head around the judging role. 'I'm still feeling so in the deep end, to be honest,' she said. 'It is so difficult. I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn't quite realise just how hard it was gonna be.' 'It is a little bit related to me feeling self-conscious, and I don't really like to use the words 'impostor syndrome,' it's more that … I feel like I don't know that much,' she said. Despite Poh's self doubts, viewers raved about her judging performance in last year's season. Comments on social media included, 'Poh is the best thing to come out of MasterChef in Australia', and 'Sofia and Poh are such a breath of fresh air – Bringing some fun and humour to the #masterchefau kitchen this season', as well as 'Poh really grew as a judge and was the complete star of the show'. While it's undeniable there was a lot of attention on the new line-up of judges in last year's season, this year it's all about the returning contestants. Fan favourites Andre Ursini, Callum Hann, Laura Sharrad and Steph de Sousa are just some of the big names having another crack at the title. It's a line-up that Poh told she found a little daunting. 'I was kind of ready to start with fresh confidence this year, and then I was like, 'oh my god, it's Back to Win!' and I was like a little turtle in a shell again because I have to judge all these people that are my peers,' she laughed. Listen to the From the Newsroom podcast to hear Poh talk about who she'd like to win this season, plus what Jamie Oliver was really like behind the scenes in 2024.
