MasterChef Australia Season 16 Premiere, 22 April 2024, Channel 10

MasterChef Australia returns for its 16th season tonight, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 10. The premiere marks a new era for the culinary competition series, introducing a revamped judging panel alongside a fresh batch of aspiring home cooks.

The new season of MasterChef Australia promises a blend of familiar and novel elements, with beloved alumni joining fresh faces in the kitchen. The series will showcase a “fusion of familiarity and novelty,” according to Network 10, as the contestants craft their culinary creations.

The judging panel has undergone significant changes since the previous season. Melissa Leong, a fixture on the panel since 2020, has bid farewell to the main series, choosing instead to focus on the spin-off series MasterChef: Dessert Masters. Leong will co-host this spin-off with pastry chef Amaury Guichon.

Stepping into the role of judges for this season are MasterChef alumna Poh Ling Yeow, French celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Melbourne-based food critic and journalist Sofia Levin. They join the returning judge and MasterChef Season 4 winner, Andy Allen.

Poh Ling Yeow, the runner-up in MasterChef Australia’s first season, is no stranger to the MasterChef family. She has made numerous appearances as a guest judge and mentor over the years. Her journey also includes a memorable stint on MasterChef Australia: Back To Win in 2020. Yeow shared her excitement about returning to the show in a new capacity, calling it a “beautiful full circle moment.”

Jean-Christophe Novelli brings international acclaim to the judging panel. With multiple Michelin stars and prestigious culinary accolades to his name, Novelli is set to elevate the competition to new heights. He expressed his enthusiasm for fostering culinary talent and mentoring Australia’s top home cooks.

Sofia Levin, a seasoned food writer and critic, rounds out the trio of new judges. With over a decade of experience in the food industry, Levin has contributed to renowned publications such as The Age, Broadsheet, Good Food, and National Geographic. She also launched The Seasoned Traveller, a website and newsletter that celebrates cultural diversity through food.

The new judging panel brings a unique blend of expertise and perspectives to the MasterChef kitchen. They will guide and critique the 22 home cooks who are ready to showcase their skills and passion for cuisine.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver will also be joining the judging panel as a guest judge for two weeks.

MasterChef Australia Season 16 Premieres on Channel 10 at 7.30 pm on Monday 22 April 2024.