Latest news with #SofiaLevin
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- 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.
The Guardian
27-04-2025
- The Guardian
Away with Sofia Levin: ‘I tried raw pig's blood soup. If it's good enough for Bourdain, it's good enough for me'
Wherever she goes, Sofia Levin packs the same item in her suitcase: a special pocket knife. It's not to facilitate any rugged outdoors adventures or survivalist missions but rather to ensure she's always ready for a good picnic. 'It has cutlery attached to it, too,' Levin says. 'Regardless of the destination, I'm always equipped to crack a bottle of wine and slice into a chunk of cheese.' Food is of particular importance to Levin. As a judge on MasterChef Australia, she knows a thing or two about what makes (or breaks) a good meal. She also spent the earlier years of her career travelling and writing about the food she ate along the way for publications including Lonely Planet and her newsletter, The Seasoned Traveller. Here Levin tells us about her culinary adventures – including a polarising soup. What makes an excellent travel companion? Someone who loves to eat. If a travel buddy doesn't fancy exploring stomach-first, I'm likely with the wrong person – and they are definitely travelling with the wrong person! More broadly, I think you need either two 'planners', or one person who is a planner coupled with another who is happy to go with the flow. Two non-planners is a recipe for disaster because they will only get a surface-level destination experience. Sure, a couple of laissez-faire travellers might stumble upon a handful of gems, but I believe that you can only get to the heart and soul of a place if you're willing to research. My earliest childhood holiday memory is ...When I was little we would visit my grandparents on the Gold Coast during school holidays. We'd go for a week or two, spending our days on the beach and by the pool. Even then I was excited by our food rituals: once every visit we'd splurge and have a buffet brunch at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. I was extremely strategic and would plan out courses so I could manage the largest possible amount of food. Describe your most memorable travel meal – good, terrible or completely out there. I had a blast trying raw pig's blood soup at an open-air roadside spot called Him Tang in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where Anthony Bourdain once visited. It came with curled pork rinds, a plastic basket of lettuce and fresh herbs, and DIY seasoning. It was served around room temperature, spiced, and had a savoury, slightly nutty flavour. We also crunched into crackling roast pork tails and sai oua pork sausage, both cleavered to order beneath a spiralling streamer fastened to a fan to keep flies away. If it's good enough for Bourdain, it's good enough for me. What's the most relaxing place you've ever visited?I fell in love with the Greek island of Sifnos a while ago and returned in 2023 specifically to switch off. It's slowly gaining popularity and I'm a touch worried that I go on about it so much that I'll be partly responsible for it becoming less idyllic! Sifnos is a tiny, slow-paced island – you can drive from the top to the bottom in less than an hour – with friendly locals, crystal-blue coves and simple fresh food. Visitors often stay around a stretch of beach called Platis Gialos, but right up in the north-eastern corner is the quiet fishing village of Cherronisos, where time slowed as I watched the sunset from my balcony. And the most stressful? Japan – but not for the reasons you might think. Within hours on my first visit, I realised there was no way I would be able to eat at all the places I wanted to. Absolutely everything was delicious: from the sushi rolls at the local Lawson convenience store, to the market snacks, to the hyper-seasonal set menus at Michelin-starred restaurants. Being full was always a given but feeling sated by how much ground I covered was impossible. I suppose I'll just have to keep going back. What is your holiday ritual? No matter where I am in the world, I always seek out markets. They teach you so much about where you are, including how locals live and what people value. Fresh produce also speaks volumes about the surrounding landscape, agriculture and climate. If there are stalls selling cooked food there as well, that's my ultimate happy place. MasterChef Australia: Back to Win premieres on Monday 28 April at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play
