She’s the glamorous MasterChef Australia judge who quickly won over viewers, and Sofia Levin knows she has the gig of a lifetime.
Sofia once referred to being a MasterChef judge as “the ultimate gig in food in Australia — if not the world,” she told 10Play. But was Sofia almost on the other side of the MasterChef cloche? In fact, this food writer almost became a contestant. Wtf!
“Over the past 10 years, I’ve had producers slide into my DMs and ask me if I wanted to go on as a contestant,” Sofia told TV WEEK. “It’s just as well I said no, because who knows where that would have led me.”
However, Sofia had one big problem with the idea of being dropped into the hectic MasterChef kitchen: she couldn’t take the time pressure. “I do like cooking, but I don’t like cooking when there’s a giant clock hanging over me!” Relatable!
Thankfully for us, she joined the newly formed judging panel alongside Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow and Jean-Christophe Novelli in 2024. It was here that Sofia found a sense of belonging.
“In the third-place theory, there’s home, there’s work and then there’s meant to be a third place where you can go to collect yourself and feel comfortable,” Sofia said. “But, when you work in food, in restaurants and cafés and on MasterChef, your second and third places combine. I don’t need a third place – this is everything I need to fill my cup.”
Who is MasterChef judge Sofia Levin? Age, husband and cooking background
Sofia Levin is a prominent Australian food critic who joined the MasterChef Australia judging panel in 2024. Unlike her peers who come from professional kitchens, Sofia’s culinary background is rooted in journalism.
Over the past fifteen years, she has written for prestigious publications like Lonely Planet, National Geographic, and The Guardian. In 2020, she launched Seasoned Traveller, a platform dedicated to exploring cultural diversity through ‘eating curiously’.
Sofia’s career trajectory is particularly impressive given how early she started. Now 36 years old, Sofia began her professional journey at just 19, securing her first writing gig for the Good Food Guide before she had even graduated from university. No biggie!
Sofia keeps her personal life largely private. She was previously engaged to Melbourne restaurateur and Epic Pizza owner Matt John, but they have since parted ways. She has since started a romantic relationship with a school friend she crossed paths with in recent years.
“I reconnected with someone from school,” Sofia told TV Week. “We hadn’t really seen each other much for about 20 years. That was over a year ago now. We’re engaged, which is not a secret – it’s wonderful. He’s a beautiful person and an amazing support. He just totally gets me, which is so lovely.”
They have since gotten engaged, but don’t expect a MasterChef spin-off wedding any time soon.
“I will start looking into that when we’ve finished filming,” she told TV Week. “I don’t think it’ll happen anytime in the next 12 months. There’s just too much going on… it’s nice to be engaged!”
MasterChef Australia airs Sunday 7pm and Monday and Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.
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