Latest news with #AndyAllen
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef star Andy Allen shares baby news with wife Alex - and reveals a secret detail on his wedding band
MasterChef star Andy Allen has revealed plans to have children with his glamorous wife Alex. The Australian cook, 37, told The Daily Telegraph, his wife and family are the most important people in his life. 'My family and my wife [are very important]. I'm hoping one day I'll have a family of my own with Alex, which will be nice,' he said. Andy also revealed a secret detail on his wedding band while discussing one fact no one knows about him. 'People would never know I wear a clip-on wedding ring,' he revealed. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Andy and Alex tied the knot in October 2022. The lovebirds said their vows in front of all their celebrity friends as they got married in a glamorous tent outside the Terrara House. Some guests included Magdalena Roze and husband Darren Robertson, Melissa Leong and former Bachelor alum Cat Henesey-Smith. It comes after Andy recently opened up about his final meeting with Jock Zonfrillo, revealing that he saw the late celebrity chef just a couple of hours before he died. Jock, who was found dead aged 46 in a Melbourne hotel room in 2023, co-judged alongside Andy on hit cooking show MasterChef Australia from 2020 up until his death. In a sit-down interview with 7NEWS Spotlight last month, Andy got candid about the last time he saw his friend, revealing he met Jock for lunch the day before his body was discovered. 'I've got hairs standing up already,' he told Liz Hayes as he looked back on his and Jock's final meal together, a moment he reflects back on a lot. Andy went on to reveal that he had no idea that there was anything amiss during his last meeting with the celebrity chef. 'That's the thing that hurts the most,' he told Liz with tears in his eyes, 'because it was so sudden.' Elsewhere in the heartbreaking interview, Andy recounted the moment he was given the news of Jock's passing by his wife Lauren Zonfrillo. The chef admitted that the grief of losing his close friend hit him 'straight away', a feeling that made him instantly ill. 'As soon as I got off the phone, I ran straight to the bathroom and I vomited everywhere,' he said. Andy also shared how he still grieves his friend daily. 'I always think of him. And I miss him, I miss him so much. It's crazy that that never goes' he said. 'That being reminded of him wherever I go and no matter what I do, it is still as strong as the day that he passed two years ago.'
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE MasterChef's Poh Ling Yeow breaks her silence on rumours she is quitting popular cooking show - and if she will be returning in 2026
Poh Ling Yeow has addressed swirling rumours she's stepping away from MasterChef Australia. Daily Mail Australia can reveal the 51-year-old has signed on to return for the 2026 season, putting an end to recent speculation she was preparing to bow out. A spokesperson for the popular chef flatly denied the claims, revealing: 'There's no truth to the speculation. Poh is loving her time on MasterChef and feels like she's found her place.' It follows a report by New Idea earlier this week suggesting Poh was considering leaving the series, prompting executives to quietly begin scouting a new judge to join Andy Allen, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli at the judging table. Among the names floated as a potential replacement? None other than fan favourite Julie Goodwin - the very contestant who beat Poh to win the first season of MasterChef back in 2009. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Julie would be a fantastic judge. Fans love her,' a source told the magazine. 'While no one wants to see Poh leave, everyone would welcome Julie back with open arms.' Julie, 54, made a triumphant return to the franchise in 2022 and delighted fans when she appeared as a guest judge last year. Insiders told the magazine she 'absolutely loved' the experience and would be open to returning in a more permanent capacity if the opportunity arose. Poh, meanwhile, joined the judging panel in 2022 following the shock death of Jock Zonfrillo and the departures of Melissa Leong and Andy Allen. While she's embraced the role, the artist-turned-chef has admitted the transition hasn't always been seamless. Speaking on the From The Newsroom podcast earlier this year, Poh revealed she often finds herself mentally back in the contestant's apron. 'I constantly run through the challenges that I have just delivered and think about what I would do in that situation,' she said. 'That's how much I miss and love it.' She has also taken on a new role outside the MasterChef kitchen and was announced as an ambassador for Tourism NT in January. At the time, she said she wishes to inspire Australians to discover a holiday up north that is 'different in every sense'. 'As someone who adores travel, learning, and finding inspiration in new places, the NT is a dream destination,' Poh said. 'From the breathtaking Top End to the awe-inspiring Red Centre, I've fallen in love with it all - and I couldn't be prouder to showcase everything this extraordinary place has to offer!' In her new role, Poh will spotlight the 'unparalleled beauty, rich cultures, vibrant food scene and artistic heritage' of the Northern Territory. Poh stepped into the role after gracing the cover of The Australian Women's Weekly for the first ever Outback Christmas issue last year. She has since been exploring the vast territory, famous for its red desert landscapes, and visiting some iconic destinations. Travelling through Top End, the celebrity cook enjoyed stops at Litchfield National Park, Finniss River Lodge and the Territory's tropical capital, Darwin. She then made her way down to the Red Centre where she visited Alice Springs (Mparntwe), Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Poh Ling Yeow is set to 'leave her judging post on MasterChef' - as executives eye off a fan favourite to replace her
MasterChef Australia fan favourite Poh Ling Yeow is reportedly set to 'leave her judging post' as the cooking competition faces another shake-up in the star cast. The celebrity cook, 51, is said to be preparing her exit from the long-running series at the end of this season - prompting executives to search for a new judge to join Andy Allen, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli on the panel, reported New Idea. And there's already one name being floated as a potential replacement – beloved original contestant Julie Goodwin. 'Julie would be a fantastic judge. Fans love her,' a source told the outlet. 'While no one wants to see Poh leave, everyone would welcome Julie back with open arms.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Julie, 54, who beat Poh in the very first season of MasterChef back in 2009, returned to the franchise in 2022 before making a surprise appearance as a guest judge in 2023. Insiders say she 'absolutely loved' her time on the other side of the bench and could be ready to return in a more permanent capacity. Poh, who joined the judging panel in 2022, has previously admitted the role hasn't always come naturally to her. Earlier this year, she opened up on the From The Newsroom podcast, revealing she often imagines herself back in the contestant's shoes. 'I constantly run through the challenges that I have just delivered and think about what I would do in that situation,' she said. 'That's how much I miss and love it.' It comes after Poh announced she would be stepping away from the kitchen as she revealed she'll be working closely with Tourism NT as their new ambassador. She revealed she wishes to inspire Australians to discover a holiday up north that is 'different in every sense'. 'As someone who adores travel, learning, and finding inspiration in new places, the NT is a dream destination,' Poh said. 'From the breathtaking Top End to the awe-inspiring Red Centre, I've fallen in love with it all - and I couldn't be prouder to showcase everything this extraordinary place has to offer!' In her new role, Poh will spotlight the 'unparalleled beauty, rich cultures, vibrant food scene and artistic heritage' of the Northern Territory. Poh stepped into the role after gracing the cover of The Australian Women's Weekly for the first ever Outback Christmas issue last year. She has since been exploring the vast territory, famous for its red desert landscapes, and visiting some iconic destinations. Travelling through Top End, the celebrity cook enjoyed stops at Litchfield National Park, Finniss River Lodge and the Territory's tropical capital, Darwin. She then made her way down to the Red Centre where she visited Alice Springs (Mparntwe), Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole. Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve and the majestic Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park were also on her list of travel destinations.
The Verge
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
The most fun camera app I've used in forever
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 86, your guide to the best and Verge -iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, hope you've cleared your schedule for some Kart ing this weekend, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been reading about privacy experts and spreadsheets and Dropout, watching Stick for fun and Mike and Molly for a wedding toast (long story), learning some sweet new Raycast tricks, talking into my phone with Wispr Flow, replaying Jon Bellion's new album, holding space for the next Wicked movie, and seeing if maybe the solution to my to-do list chaos is just a piece of paper. So far, it's working, and I hate it. I also have for you a delightful new way to take pictures on your iPhone, the big new title for the Switch 2, a long interview with a Microsoft CEO, a fun way to soundtrack your pool parties, and much more. It's going to be a game-filled next few weeks, friends. Let's do it. (As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What do you want to want to know more about? What are you playing / watching / reading / listening to / plugging into your TV this week? Tell me everything: installer@ And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, tell them to subscribe here. If you subscribe via email, you'll get Installer a full day early, and right in your inbox!) The Drop !Camera. Andy Allen designs some of the best-looking apps you'll find for Apple platforms, and he has outdone himself with this very playful, tactile take on a camera app. It takes a minute to learn what all the on-screen buttons and wheels do, but it's so much more fun than the iPhone's default app that I've been using almost all the time. Mario Kart World. We'll talk some more about the Switch 2 launch in the next section, but the console's big launch title is also the latest edition of my favorite racing game of all time. I haven't played a ton of the open-world online stuff yet, but, if nothing else, this is clearly the biggest Kart ever. Good Night, and Good Luck. First, George Clooney made a terrific movie. Then, he turned it into a record-breaking Broadway show. Now, it's being filmed, live, on CNN on Saturday night. I love this kind of thing, and I always wondered why we didn't get more of it after Hamilton was such a smash. I'm excited to see the play but also just how this broadcast gets made. The Steve Ballmer interview. From the Acquired podcast, this is three hours of Microsoft history, business leadership tips, and a whole deep dive into the 'developers developers developers' speech. Ballmer's always a good interview, and there is a ton here. The Razer Phantom Collection. I'm really not an 'all of the RGB lights' kind of guy, but there's something about this translucent, glowing keyboard and mousepad that really does work for me. (Also, I just learned this week that Razer launched Synapse for Mac, meaning you can finally get all its best power-user features on Apple products, too!) Poolsuite. Big update this week to one of the internet's best sources of chill vibes and great summer music — including, for the first time, an Android app! This is one of the few apps I can just turn on and let play all day. The vibes are immaculate. Ballerina. I try not to get my hopes up about John Wick spinoffs. (Though I think The Continental at least had some potential.) The reviews on this one, and on Ana de Armas, are a bit mixed. But I like the premise a lot, and this feels guaranteed to be a good time in a theater. ' Ensh*ttification, Live! ' Cory Doctorow has been more right about the state of the internet than anyone these last few years, and this interview from the PBS Ideas Festival is a really smart catch-up about how we got enshittified, what it looks like right now, and where we go from here. I cannot wait for Doctorow's book this fall. Spotlight Did you get a Switch 2 this week? If you tried to, I hope it worked out! I had a shockingly easy time: I debated waiting in line on Wednesday night, but I ended up being able to just walk into a Target on Thursday morning and get one. Lots more to come, but so far I'm a fan. The screen looks great, it's big without being too big, and mostly it is just so much faster than the original model. Is $450 a steep price for that, though? Oh boy, you betcha. In case you got a new console and are looking for something to play this weekend, I asked my colleague Andrew Webster to name a few games he thought might be worth your time. Here's what he came back with: 'Everyone who buys a Switch 2 is going to be playing the same thing: Mario Kart World. And I can't really blame them, everyone loves Mario Kart, and this looks like a worthy successor to MK8 (which I once called the ' best Mario Kart ever '). However, there are a couple of other very intriguing releases at launch: Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour: yeah, it's pretty weird you have to pay $10 for this, since it seems like the ideal pack-in game, but it's also only $10 and looks like the best way to learn about all the new elements of the Switch 2 in a playful, Nintendo way. Survival Kids: a surprising return of a Game Boy cult classic (which just got a rerelease for Switch Online subscribers). The most interesting part of Survival Kids is that it's a good test case for the new GameChat functionality. You can play the survival game with three other people, and you only need one copy of the game for multiplayer. F-Zero GX: speaking of Switch Online, one of the perks for Switch 2 owners is the addition of some GameCube classics. And I know that as soon as I can I'm dusting off that virtual copy of F-Zero GX and racing those futuristic streets.' If you fire up a Switch 2 this weekend, let me know what you end up playing and liking! This summer is going to be filled with great game drops, and we'll cover as many as we can. Screen share Hayden Field started at The Verge this week as our new senior AI reporter. This is the second time I've gotten to work with Hayden, and, in short, Hayden rules. Her job here is a very fun and very tough one: she has to figure out what in the world is going on with the AI industry and whether any of it actually matters. In every definition of the word 'matters.' Super chill times in Hayden-land! I asked Hayden to share her homescreen with us while she's still new here. I was sort of hoping she'd be like, 'Sorry, no homescreen, I only use my Rabbit R1,' but alas, she still has a phone. Here it is, plus some info on the apps she uses and why: The phone: A blue iPhone 13 Pro Max. The wallpaper: A tree-lined street in Brooklyn at its *PEAK* beauty. The apps: Google Calendar, Weather, X, Instagram, Camera, Google Photos, Photos, Google Maps, NYT Cooking, Skratch, NYT Games, West, Gmail, Slack, Apple Notes, Signal, Phone, Messages, Safari, Spotify. First of all, I promise I never have this many unread messages — it's a lot of congratulatory texts for starting at The Verge! Otherwise, I'm an iPhone girl with a penchant for Google apps (big Google Maps, Google Photos, and Gmail fan). My two aspirational apps are NYT Cooking and NYT Games: I use and love them, but I'm way less skilled at both things than I wish I were. Skratch is my way of keeping track of the number of countries I've traveled to (my dream is to visit every country in the world). And West is for disposable-camera-looking photos when I don't have a real camera around. I also asked Hayden to share a few things that she's into right now. Here's what she sent back: I'm catching up on The Witcher right now, and I'm addicted; on the opposite side of things, I've been rewatching Gossip Girl and gearing up to catch up on The Rehearsal next. Game-wise, I've been really into this board game called Everdell, and I live near one of NYC's best board game stores (Twenty Sided Store). When it comes to apps, I have to give a shoutout to Furbo; it's what I use to keep an eye on my corgi pup, Jelly, when I'm not at home. As for weird stuff on the internet that's been following me around my algorithm: quirky hand-tufted wool rugs (like Hannah Via's stuff — she makes little rugs that look like shells, oysters, tomatoes, fish, you name it). Crowdsourced Here's what the Installer community is into this week. I want to know what you're into right now, as well! Email installer@ or message me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your recommendations for anything and everything, and we'll feature some of our favorites here every week. For even more great recommendations, check out the replies to this post on Threads and this post on Bluesky. 'I've recently fallen back into Fallout 4. Maybe it's the yearning for a new Fallout title, or just that this game has INSANE replayability.' — Rob 'Just bought a Philips Hue Light Strip and love how this little light addition lets you set a whole new mood in your rooms — without being visible like a lamp.' — Florian 'Check out the Flesh and Blood trading card game, super competitive and addicting. Way better than Magic the Gathering in my eyes. It's also the US national championship this weekend.' — Thore 'I switched my browser from Arc to Zen due to Arc no longer being supported by The Browser Company. Zen is turning out to be an almost perfect open-sourced version of Arc, so far I am happy!' — Craig ' Dig Dig Dino! is for me the killer app of the Playdate console. Until I played it, I wasn't sure buying the gadget was a good choice. Perfect game for short bursts of play time, but also can (and does) suck you in with a fun gameplay loop for longer sessions.' — Rafal 'I have been trying and failing to find another website to visit the way I do The Verge, and I think I've found it: Hodinkee. It's a website about high-end watches, and a good website. I can't recommend it enough.' — Vishal 'Need a podcast? I like learning how songs are made on One Song.' — Ryan 'I love watching the channel More Perfect Union on YouTube. They recently made a really informative video about driverless semis driving down I-45 here in Texas, and I really think more people should watch it! This is a highly utilized interstate, and I definitely think this will cause a lot of issues down the line if we're not careful.' — Kerzell 'The game Skin Deep by Blendo Games is phenomenal. It's like if Hitman had a less punishing game loop and was deeply silly. There are cats to rescue (also the cats are spaceship crew)!' — Hunter Signing off Sorry, one more Switch 2 thing before we go: I went through the whole transfer process from the old Switch to the new one, and it was as annoying as it always is, but it ultimately worked fine. The only thing that didn't eventually transfer was my 8BitDo controller, which just… didn't connect. Luckily, on Friday, 8BitDo did update the firmware for some of its controllers and says more are coming. But in the interim, I made the mistake of looking for an upgrade. I asked my colleagues which controller I should buy, or if I should wait for all the new accessories to come out. They all said the same thing: just buy the Nintendo Pro Controller, it's the best one, it's not even close. This is good advice! There's just one problem: it costs EIGHTY FIVE DOLLARS. I assume I will eventually just give in and overpay for this thing, but if you have a controller you like better, I want to know about it! Please, someone who is good at the economy help me budget this.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef Australia: Back To Win sees top cook hang up her apron in heated elimination cook-off
Another MasterChef Australia: Back To Win elimination has seen a talented chef put down their skillet for the final time in an action-packed, temperature-rising cook-off. It was a lobster wonton that sent this ambitious candidate home on Sunday night following a prophetic insight and a broth that fell short. Seafood connoisseur Josh Niland challenged the MasterChef Australia participants with a dish famed for its easygoing nature - but easygoing it wasn't. The task was to create a surf and turf dish, with the chefs expected to put their own spin on the iconic food combo. Season 14 runner up Rhiannon Anderson, 48, who chose to make lobster wontons paired with beef broth, wasn't confident from the get-go, confessing in her piece to camera that she could be the one cooking for the last time in the MasterChef kitchen. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Seafood connoisseur Josh Niland challenged the MasterChef Australia participants with a dish famed for its easygoing nature - but easygoing it wasn't And after ending up in the bottom three with Tim and Darrsh, she was proved right. 'It has to come back to flavour and texture, which is why I'm so sorry to say this, Rhi. I'm sorry, you're going home,' Andy Allen told the chef. An emotional Rhi dubbed her second time round on the show a 'bloody epic experience' as she held back tears. 'How many people get to come back to win and just do what I've just done? And I've had an absolute blast.' She went on to say that she'd be heading home to her husband and hopping right back into the kitchen. 'I'll just have to go home to Deano and cook him something. Not quite as much fun, but anyway.' It comes after fan favourite Jimmy Wong was left the show on Tuesday after he was eliminated in a brutal dessert challenge on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win. The 58-year-old who last appeared on the cooking competition in season 8 confessed he was 'gutted' when his dish didn't meet the chefs' standards. Jimmy joined Ben, Rue and Tim in recreating an elaborate Balloon Puppy cake from guest judge Steven He of Melbourne's Le Yeahllow Jimmy joined Ben, Rue and Tim in recreating an elaborate Balloon Puppy cake from guest judge Steven He of Melbourne's Le Yeahllow. The amazing looking entrement treat featured a base of chocolate fairy sponge, shortbread crumble with dark chocolate and a layer of sour cherry compote and another layer of chocolate sponge. Between each layer there is ganache made from English breakfast tea, topped with a decoration of a miniature 'balloon dog' made of white chocolate. However, when Jimmy presented his version of the dessert his 'puppy' looked more like a 'potato starting to sprout' complained judge Andy Allen. Things went downhill for Jimmy with the judges complaining of 'flawed flavours', even if Andy ended up praising the cook for his 'delicious' cake. ''I'm so sorry to say Jimmy you're going home,' Judge Poh Ling Yeow announced at the end of the episode. An emotional Jimmy then paid tribute to his time on the show. 'I'm gutted but you know what? It's been an absolute privilege to be part of this amazing experience 'And I just wish all of you the best of luck and I will not be stopping,' he told the finalists. 'I will continue to fight for the things that I love and continue on this journey of mine.'
