MasterChef Australia fans defend judge after brutal swipe from UK viewer

MasterChef Australia fans are sticking up for judge - and former contestant - Poh Ling Yeow after a UK viewer took a swipe at her in an online fan group for the show. Poh joined the judging panel for the 2024 season along with Sofia Levin, Jean-Christophe Novelli and returning judge Andy Allen.

"Fan from UK - how come Po [sic] appears to have taken over head judge, when she didn't even win MasterChef like say Andy or [is a] Michelin starred chef like Jean-Christophe or a decent food critic[?]," the person wrote. "What's the deal[?]"

MasterChef fans defend Poh

The post was met with more than 200 comments from fans, the majority of whom rushed to her defence.

"Poh is a champion. A fabulous presenter and very knowledgeable about food. She is our star," one fan wrote.

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"In my view she has been the best judge that Masterchef Australia has ever had....she is honest in her opinions and her intro into the challenges is spot on.....so glad she put her foot into this show.....it's chalk and cheese when you consider last season. I love Poh," said another.

"By the way it's POH!," another wrote, correcting the OP's misspelling of her name. "Australians love her and respect her experience, expertise, kind-heartedness and huge support for contestants."

"Poh is brilliant! She is very kind to the contestants and supportive outside of MC too. I spoke directly to one of the contestants and they spoke very positively about her. Poh for Lead Judge!," yet another echoed.

"I love Poh, she is such a good example of how to be a caring human being, whilst able to dig down on her own experience, and suggest other ways for the newbie chefs. She is a beacon, I respect her immensely," someone else said.

Poh could have been offered the role sooner

The response to Poh joining the judging panel has been largely positive, with fans expressing their excitement about her presence prior to the 2024 series starting.

"I was so happy when I found out she was on the show," one person wrote on Facebook. "I adore Poh."

Said another, "I love Poh, she is so talented and seems to be a very good mentor and judge."

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As previously reported by Yahoo Lifestyle, the beloved chef could have stepped into the gig sooner with speculation in 2019 that she would be asked to host Masterchef Australia when Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan were dropped from the show.

"The conversations around the boardroom started with a dream team of judges that would work well together and Poh was on that list for sure," a source told Yahoo Lifestyle. "However, they were also very keen to get her and Julie Goodwin back in the kitchen as contestants again with two seasons planned to have returning Masterchef Australia alumni. So that explains why they stepped back from offering Poh the role in 2019."

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