MasterChef 2024 shares first trailer starring brand new judges: 'Cannot wait'

Channel 10 has unveiled the first official trailer for the upcoming sixteenth season of MasterChef Australia featuring a brand new panel of judges.

While Andy Allen will be returning for his fifth season as a judge, he will be joined by season one runner-up Poh Ling Yeow, food critic and journalist Sofia Levin, and Michelin Star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

The teaser video introduces viewers to the highly accomplished line-up of judges and promises “there’s never been a season like this”.

“Around the globe, when people speak of great cooking shows, they speak of MasterChef Australia,” Jean-Christophe says. “And to be part of this is both surreal and humbling.”

Poh, who has competed on three seasons of the cooking show and made regular guest appearances over the years, shares that it feels like “a beautiful full circle moment” to return in a new capacity.

“MasterChef absolutely changed my life,” Poh remarks.

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Meanwhile, Sofia admits it’s “a sheer delight and privilege” to join the MasterChef family and “community of food lovers”.

Andy also teases that the new season is all about “passion, giving it everything you’ve got, putting it all on your plate and creating extraordinary food”.

Fans react to new trailer

Fans have since taken to social media to praise the new trailer, with many people saying they “cannot wait” for season 16 to premiere.

“I’m looking forward to this season and all the wondrous creations,” one person wrote, followed by another who added, “It's about bloody time Poh joined as a judge. I've been waiting for that for years!”.

“I am so happy Poh is a part of this. She has the passion, knowledge and personality to keep this show going!” a third commented, while someone else said, “Andy & Poh are my rays of sunshine!”.

“I know it's going to be different but when Jock, Mel and Andy started we didn't know what the new judges would be like but we fell in love with them anyway. It's probably better that it's not just Jock who is missing, it would be too sad,” a different user replied.

“Jock will be watching over you all especially you Andy. I wish you all the best and can’t wait to see this season,” another fan shared.

When will MasterChef premiere?

The new season of MasterChef premieres Monday, April 22 at 7:30pm on 10 and 10 Play.

MasterChef's major international change

It was announced earlier this month that the new season of MasterChef Australia will head overseas for the first time since season nine in 2017.

Three episodes of the cooking competition have been filmed in Hong Kong, which is home to 77 Michelin-starred restaurants and over 15,000 dining establishments.

The visit is in association with Hong Kong Tourism Board and Cathay Pacific Airways and will “showcase iconic landmarks and bring the city’s intrinsic east-meets-west culture to our screens”.

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In a statement from Channel 10, Andy Allen admitted he’s never been to Hong Kong before but he’s “been really interested in the place for a long time”.

“That’s because I see the city's array of food is off the charts: it’s a melting pot of different cultures, bold flavours, and one-of-a-kind ingredients,” he said.

“Blending Michelin-starred restaurants with bustling street markets, it seems to have this world-class food culture going on. It's so good that now myself, the other judges, and contestants can finally get amongst it this season.”

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