John Torode is one of the most recognisable figures in the food world. Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, he began working in kitchens at 16. His earliest culinary memories and passion for cooking come from his grandmother, who raised him from the age of four.
After completing apprenticeships at some of Melbourne’s top restaurants, John moved to the UK in the 1990s, where his reputation grew quickly. He rose through the ranks, serving as sous chef at Quaglino’s, and later opened successful restaurants including Smiths and The Luxe.
John made his television debut on ITV’s This Morning in 1996 and became a household name when he began co-hosting MasterChef in 2005, a series that will mark its 20th season next year. He has authored multiple best-selling cookbooks and created numerous acclaimed TV programmes. In 2022 he was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to food, broadcasting and charity.
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