Kylie Kwong joins MasterChef Australia as a mentor in new season

ACCLAIMED chef Kylie Kwong is hoping to bring her brand of positivity to aspiring chefs in the new season of MasterChef Australia.

Kylie Kwong’s motto is simple. “How can I be of service to others?” It is a philosophy, based around Buddhism that the celebrity chef has used to confront the triumphs and tragedies of life.

Kwong’s highs would have to include the famed Billy Kwong restaurant in inner-city Sydney as well as six best-selling cook books.

Kwong’s low came in 2012 when long-time girlfriend Nell lost her baby boy, Lucky, to premature stillbirth.

“There is nothing worse than losing your baby,” Kwong said at the time. “You don’t get over it, you just get through it.”

Sydney institution ... Kylie Kwong runs the acclaimed Billy Kwong restaurant.

MasterChef Australia is sure to be a happy experience for Kwong. She joins this year’s series of the Channel 10 cooking show as a guest mentor.

Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan’s task will be to judge dishes. Kwong will give contestants a guiding hand, some pertinent advice and, in the reality television pressure cooker, no doubt a shoulder to cry on.

Pressure test ... Kylie Kwong with MasterChef hosts Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston. Picture: Channel 10

“I’m thrilled to be part of such a huge project that is very positive and very inspiring — and not only for the contestants but myself,” Kwong says. “Every time I go on the set I feel invigorated. We’re dealing with real people who are really challenging themselves every day.”

“We’ve got everyone from an 18-year-old to a 51-year-old who has put a lot on the line. They have left families, deferred university courses or put off their career and are so passionate about my favourite subject, which is food.”

Good eats ... Kwong’s cookbook It Tastes Better

The makers of MasterChef Australia insist this year’s cooks are the best ever. That claim comes after last year’s contestants failed to impress. Too often, MasterChef 2013 looked like it was plating up My Kitchen Rules leftovers.

This year’s show features the return of UK celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, who hosted MasterChef: The Professionals. Other chefs appearing include favourite Maggie Beer as well as Nobu Matsuhisa, Frank Camorra, and Shannon Bennett.

Positive energy ... Kwong is hoping to inspire a new era of chefs. Picture: Channel 10

The Mystery Box and Invention Test return leading to the Pressure Test. Contestants will vie for Immunity, band together for Team Challenges, and confront the Elimination Challenge.

Creating mentors has worked a treat for The Voice with the likes of Joel Madden and Ricky Martin giving contestants the benefit of their widespread knowledge. Kwong hopes to do the same on MasterChef Australia.

“I’m really there to share my food knowledge and food experience in life,” Kwong says. “I’m there to challenge them, to spur them on, to bring the best out in themselves and stay calm under immense pressure.”

MasterChef Australia, Channel 10, Monday, 7.30pm