JEAN-CHRISTOPHE NOVELLI - 'THE TALENT IS FLYING EVERYWHERE'

As MasterChef returns for another Back To Win season, the French judge fills us in on what we can expect

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After joining the revamped judging panel of MasterChef Australia last season, dapper French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli was an instant hit with viewers. Knowledgeable, eloquent and kind to the contestants, the father-of-four and his fellow judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling-Yeow and Sofia Levin proved to be the recipe for success.

As the award-winning series returns for its 17th season, with 24 familiar faces taking their shot at redemption, Woman's Day sits down with the 64-year-old restaurateur to get the lay of the land.

We're so excited to have you back on MasterChef! Was it an easy decision to return?

From the business side, it's not. My cookery school (Novelli Academy) is shut for the duration when I am away, because I like to do the school myself. And the other one is to leave your family behind. But thanks to technology, it's a lot easier than 50 years ago when someone is going away.