James Beard Award winner
John Torode
- Discipline
- James Beard Award winner
- Based in
- London, United Kingdom
i. Biography
John Torode moved from Melbourne kitchens into restaurants, books, and television, building a career that spans local cooking jobs, ownership, and long-running broadcast work. Born in Melbourne, Australia, and later holding Australian and British nationality, he made his name by moving through the trade in sequence rather than by a single leap. His own line on the work stays plain: "I like to feed people. I like to see people smile."
The Path
John Torode’s first roles were in Melbourne kitchens, starting as cook at Le Coq Au Vin restaurant in Aspendale, Melbourne, then as apprentice in Beaumaris, Melbourne before becoming chef at Conran Group restaurants (from 1992). He moved into print with author at The Mezzo Cookbook (from 1997), then into ownership as owner at Smiths of Smithfield, London (from 2000), host at Sea Breeze (from 2001), and owner at The Luxe in Spitalfields, London (from 2009). From there, he became a familiar television presence as presenter at MasterChef in BBC One (2005–2025), while also presenting John Torode's Australia (from 2014), John Torode's Argentina (from 2015), John Torode's Malaysian Adventure (from 2016), The Korean Food Tour in Good Food Channel (from 2017), John Torode's Asia in Good Food Channel (from 2017), John Torode's Middle East (from 2018), John Torode's Ireland in Food Network (from 2022), and John & Lisa's Food Trip Down Under in ITV1 (from 2024). Today, he is guest chef of ITV's This Morning (since 1996) and co-host of John And Lisa's Weekend Kitchen (since 2019).
The Work Today
His television profile remains closely tied to MasterChef and to his wider work as a broadcaster and Celebrity Chef. The line he gives for his work is spare and direct: "I like to feed people. I like to see people smile."
Career - guest chef — ITV's This Morning (1996–present) - co-host — John And Lisa's Weekend Kitchen, ITV (2019–present) - cook — Le Coq Au Vin restaurant, Aspendale, Melbourne - apprentice — several establishments, Beaumaris, Melbourne - chef — Conran Group restaurants (from 1992) - author — The Mezzo Cookbook (from 1997) - owner — Smiths of Smithfield, London (from 2000) - host — Sea Breeze (from 2001) - presenter — MasterChef, BBC One (2005–2025) - owner — The Luxe, Spitalfields, London (from 2009)
Signature
John's signature dishes include Sydney to Seoul, My Kind of Food, and John and Lisa's Kitchen.
In Their Words “I like to feed people. I like to see people smile.”
Acclaim
John's honors include James Beard Foundation Award for Best Food Photography and Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) (2022).
FAQ What is John Torode's current role? As of 2026, John Torode is Celebrity Chef and TV presenter on MasterChef. Where did John Torode work before? John Torode's earlier career included Le Coq Au Vin restaurant, several establishments, and Conran Group restaurants. What recognition has John Torode received? James Beard Foundation Award for Best Food Photography (1998).
