Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson and Geoff Jansz could have been Masterchef hosts

Erina Starkey investigates why two Aussie food icons - Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson and Geoff Jansz - are not taking on hosting roles for Masterchef Australia.

Their names haven’t come up. Yet.

Style icon Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson and Better Homes & Gardens break-out star, Geoff Jansz, were not considered for a judging role on MasterChef season 16, sources say.

Huey is known for his long-running cooking shows, Huey’s Cooking Adventures, Huey’s Kitchen and Huey’s TV Dinner, which saw the moustachioed chef whip up everyday classics from lamb chops to apple cake on his outdoor cooking station.

Not one for measuring, Huey was an expert at knowing just how much wine a dish required (half a bottle) as well as how to crack a pepper grinder with pizzazz.

Iain ‘Huey‘ Hewitson and Geoff Jansz, were not considered for a judging role on MasterChef season 16.

Alongside his sponsored cooking segments, Huey is also famous for his adventurous suspender choices, which are believed to have inspired Matt Preston’s cravats.

Also overlooked was Better Homes & Gardens star and presenter of What’s Cooking, Geoff Jansz, despite famous recipes like Spanish chicken pizza and “lazy man’s curry”.

Instead, Channel Ten has opted to go with Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Poh Ling Yeow was runner-up to Julie Goodwin in the first season of MasterChef Australia. Since leaving the show she has published three cookbooks and starred in two TV series, Poh’s Kitchen and Poh & Co.

Jean-Christophe Novelli, Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, Melissa Leong and Amaury Guichon.

Jean-Christophe is a Michelin-starred chef, who runs his own cooking school in Hertfordshire. He has also starred on multiple reality cooking shows, including Chef Academy Bravo to Celebrity X Factor, Top Chef USA, as well as MasterChef Holland and Junior MasterChef UK.

Rounding out the group is Sofia Levin, who is a journalist and presenter. In 2020, she launched Seasoned Traveller, a website dedicated to sharing lesser-known food stories.

There’s always next time guys.

Related news: Melissa Leong departs MasterChef Australia with three new judges announced

For more food, travel and lifestyle news, go to delicious.com.au

Originally published as Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson and Geoff Jansz could have been Masterchef hosts