Ten has announced that Yotam Ottolenghi will mentor contestants on the upcoming season of MasterChef Australia.
The master of Middle Eastern cuisine will arrive in Australia this week to film an entire week of episodes that will inspire, delight the current crop of contestants.
The internationally renowned Israeli-born, London-based chef-restaurateur will join judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris in what promises to be the most delicious week ever.
The much-loved and respected chef has put vegetarian cuisine back in the spotlight and has transformed the way people cook, eat and view Mediterranean food.
Not only is Yotam a celebrated chef, he has released four best-selling cookbooks that have been published in 19 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. He has had three highly acclaimed television series – Jerusalem On A Plate, Ottolenghi’s Mediterranean Feast and Ottolenghi’s Mediterranean Island Feast – that have been watched by millions of food fans around the globe.
Yotam said: “I am thrilled to be joining MasterChef Australia for their incredible ninth season. I know how important it is to the contestants who give up their lives to join MasterChef and I’m really looking forward to working with them to expand their culinary experience.
“I also have the added bonus of returning to Australia, which I love, and experiencing more of the wonderful food on offer.”
MasterChef Australia judge Matt Preston said: “A charming man, a beautiful cook and the author of truly inspirational cookbooks, Yotam has been at the top of our ‘must have’ list for many years so I’m delighted that we have finally persuaded him to come exclusively to inspire and mentor this year’s contestants.
“He’s already got a big and very passionate following here and Gary, George and myself know that the rest of Australia will fall in love with this humble man and his beautiful food. Our contestants are in for a treat!”
