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Poh Ling Yeow

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Poh Ling Yeow
楊寶玲
Yeow at the InStyle and Audi Woman of Style Awards, May 2013
Born (1973-12-17) 17 December 1973 (age 51)[1]
Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
CitizenshipAustralian
Alma materUniversity of South Australia
Occupations
  • Cook
  • artist
  • actress
  • author
  • television presenter
Years active1998–present
StyleAsian fusion, Southeast Asian, French pastry, bakery (cooking)
Painting (art)
TitleRunner-up, MasterChef Australia (season 1)
Spouse(s)
Jono Bennett
​
​
(m. 2014; sep. 2021)​
[2]
Matt Phipps (divorced)[3]
Websitepohlingyeow.com
Poh & Co.
Poh's Kitchen
Jamface by Poh
Art by Poh

Poh Ling Yeow (Chinese: 杨宝玲; pinyin: Yáng Bǎolíng;[4] born 17 December 1973) is a Malaysian-born Australian cook, artist, actress, author and television presenter. She has hosted multiple cooking shows including ABC's Poh's Kitchen and SBS's Poh & Co. She has also published multiple cook books. She was the runner-up on the first season of Network 10's Masterchef Australia behind winner Julie Goodwin. Since appearing on season 1, she has made multiple comebacks to the series as a guest judge/mentor, returning as a contestant on the twelfth season in 2020 then a judge in 2024.

Early life and history

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Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, into a fifth-generation Malaysian Chinese family, Yeow's mother is of Hakka descent. Yeow attended SMK Convent Bukit Nanas.[5] She immigrated to Australia at age 9 with her parents and brother, eventually settling in Adelaide, South Australia.[6] After attending Seymour College and then the University of South Australia (where she earned a Bachelor of Design degree),[7] Yeow worked as a freelance[8] graphic designer, illustrator, and makeup artist.

Yeow's corporate clients as a makeup artist included L'Oréal and Attitude magazine,[9] the Australian String Quartet[10] and the short film My Last Ten Hours With You.[11] Her personal clients included Megan Gale and Lisa Ho.[12] Freelance work as a makeup artist led to her preparing models for artist David Bromley, increasing her understanding of the art market.[13] Yeow has acknowledged that she posed as a nude model for Bromley.[14]

Yeow adopted the Western first name Sharon[15][16] until age 25, but reverted to Poh Ling as a part of embracing her cultural heritage.[13] She became a full-time professional artist in 2002.[17]

Career

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Artist

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Yeow works mainly with acrylic paint on canvas.[18] Her early works featured heavily textured backgrounds[19] whereas recent works present a smoother,[20] more refined and highly detailed finish.[13][21]

Elements of her Chinese heritage feature in her work, including the goldfish, a symbol of prosperity and good luck in Chinese culture, lotus flowers, ponds, and Australian flora and fauna.[22] A recurring character in Yeow's recent work is one that she calls The Girl ("my autobiographical twin"[22]), who she refers to in the third person, although the character's facial features are clearly similar to Yeow's.[23] She says "I guess [The Girl] was developed as a cathartic act, in terms of embracing everything that I did hate about myself physically: the broad nose, the Asian eyes, the broad face".[13]

A further theme behind her recent body of work was Yeow's split with her partner of 10 years, with titles including "Was That the Last Goodbye?" and "You Haven't Left and I Miss You Already". Her Mermaid series, with The Girl's clothes fashioned from goldfish scales and fins, is about losing your identity and taking on your partner's.[13]

From her first solo exhibition in 2002, Yeow has been a regular exhibitor at the Hill Smith Gallery.[24] She has also appeared regularly at Libby Edwards Gallery.[17] Yeow's work has been featured or critically reviewed in publications such as Vogue Australia, House & Garden, The Advertiser and mX.[25]

In 2003, Yeow donated an artwork to raise funds for breast cancer research at Flinders Medical Centre.[26] In 2007, Yeow's artwork was used on the cover of the book The Chinese Exotic by Olivia Khoo.[27] She was also a judge for Youthscape 2008.[28] In 2009, Yeow appeared in a glamour shoot for Who magazine.[29]

In 2018, Yeow was the subject of a lengthy radio interview with Richard Fidler on Conversations.[30]

Cook and food television

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Yeow first appeared on the ABC television program Beat the Chef on 13 April 2005.[31] Her auntie Kim Thoo assisted her in the studio kitchen, where she prepared Ying Yang Prawns.[32] She returned to the program on 15 June 2005, assisted by her friend Felicity Electricity.[33] This time she prepared Basil Thai Fried Rice[34] and Deep-Fried Dory Fillets with Green Mango.[35]

Yeow was selected in the top 20 contestants for the first series of MasterChef Australia from over 7000 applicants.[36] Competition and eliminations began in May 2009. Yeow was eliminated on 18 June 2009 when she incorrectly guessed the ingredients in minestrone.[37] She was one of three eliminated contestants allowed to return to the program on 1 July 2009.[38] She survived further eliminations to compete in the final on 19 July 2009 against Julie Goodwin.[39] Goodwin won the final, with Yeow runner-up.[40]

Yeow appeared with Matt Preston[41] in the World Chef Showcase in October 2009.[42]

Yeow signed with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for a cooking series (Poh's Kitchen) and a two-book publishing deal with ABC Books.[43] The production on the series began in November 2009 in her home town of Adelaide.[44] The series was aired from 10 February 2010.[45] Yeow was nominated for the Logie Awards of 2011 in the category of Most Popular New Female Talent.[46]

In 2011, the ABC broadcast a second season of Poh's Kitchen, entitled Poh's Kitchen on the Road. Yeow travelled to all Australian states, as well as Singapore and Thailand, to film stories on produce and cooking.[47] A third season premiered on 11 September 2012.[48]

In 2015, Yeow launched a new series, Poh & Co., on SBS. It features various styles of cooking, and also the renovation of Yeow's backyard.[49]

Yeow opened a gourmet food stall, Jamface by Poh, at the Adelaide Showground Farmers' Market.[50] In 2016 Yeow opened a cafe at Adelaide Central Market, also named Jamface by Poh.[51] It closed on 15 October 2019.[52]

In 2019, Yeow returned to MasterChef Australia as a mentor, sharing the position with season eight runner-up Matt Sinclair and season seven winner Billie McKay.[53] In 2020, Yeow returned to MasterChef Australia as a contestant in Back to Win and placed 6th.[54]

In August 2023, it was announced that she would be teaming up with fellow MasterChef contestant Adam Liaw, to host a brand new cooking show on SBS titled Adam & Poh's Great Australian Bites. The show features the hosting duo travelling around Australia to different cities and coastlines and cooking with the locals.[55][56][57]

In October 2023, Network 10 announced that Yeow would be joining the forthcoming sixteenth season of MasterChef Australia as a permanent host and judge, alongside fellow new judges Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli, as well as returning judge Andy Allen.[58][59] It came after the sudden death of former judge Jock Zonfrillo and the departure of Melissa Leong.[60][61][62]

Film and television appearances

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Yeow has appeared in four films: Human Touch (2004),[63] Peaches (2004),[63] Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger (2008)[64] and the Tropfest short film Jackie's Spring Palace (2009).[65] She is also credited as production designer on Jackie's Spring Palace.[66]

Aside from her cooking programs, Yeow had substantial roles in Room 101, Can of Worms, Reality Check. She appeared in the 2013 ABC comedy series It's a Date, along with Dave Lawson.

Yeow said "I've always just followed what I've enjoyed doing ... in all areas of creativity."[63]

From 2021, Yeow appeared as one of the hosts of the Australian version of Snackmasters.

In 2022, she appeared in the eighth season of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here![67][68] and, later that year, as a celebrity contestant on the Lego Masters Australia Christmas special.[69][70]

In 2023, Yeow made a cameo appearance in the sixth episode of Thank God You're Here, through a guest performance as a television cooking show judge.[71]

References

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  1. ^ Guertin, Lachlan (12 December 2023). "MasterChef's Poh Ling Yeow reveals plans for upcoming 50th birthday". Yahoo Life. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  2. ^ "MasterChef's Poh announces split from husband of six years". au.lifestyle.yahoo.com. 6 February 2021.
  3. ^ Hornery, Andrew (26 March 2015). "Private Sydney: Chef Poh Ling Yeow invites cameras into her home". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  4. ^ "反种族歧视专员称亚裔澳人缺失公共形象". ozdaily.net. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  5. ^ D'Cruz, Neville (20 July 2009). "Malaysian-born Yeow Wins Aussie Hearts in Cooking Contest". bernama.com. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  6. ^ Davies, Nathan (11 July 2009). "Poh dishes up her MasterChef secret". news.com.au. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  7. ^ "UniSA Alumni Awards". UniSA Alumni Awards. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Diaspora diaries: Poh Ling Yeow". South China Morning Post. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  9. ^ "Claire Incorruptible Styling". claireinc.com. 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  10. ^ "Australian String Quartet" (PDF). 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  11. ^ "my last ten hours with you" (PDF). closerproductions.com.au. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  12. ^ Meegan, Genevieve (3 September 2006). "Poh a soloist". news.com.au. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  13. ^ a b c d e McDonald, Patrick (11 February 2006). "Little China girl". The Advertiser. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  14. ^ "MasterChef's Poh Ling Yeow posed naked for David Bromley". news.com.au. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
  15. ^ "Masterchef Poh Ling Yeow's secret past". news.com.au. 25 July 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  16. ^ Thompson, Peter. "Talking Heads-Poh Ling Yeow". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  17. ^ a b "Poh Ling Yeow". libbyedwardsgalleries.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  18. ^ Lovering, Tania (18 May 2009). "Poh Ling Yeow - Adelaide". Retrieved 19 July 2009. [dead link‍]
  19. ^ Yeow, Poh Ling. "'Chigro Tattoo': Oil on canvas". Libby Edwards Galleries. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  20. ^ Yeow, Poh Ling. "'Ty II': Oil on canvas". Libby Edwards Galleries. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  21. ^ "Edition 30" (PDF). Griffith REVIEW. Retrieved 14 November 2022. Poh Ling Yeow
  22. ^ a b "The art of being Poh". Australian Women's Weekly. Now To Love. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  23. ^ Fortescue, Elizabeth (20 October 2009). "MasterChef 's Poh Ling Yeow is putting her art on sale at Art Sydney 2009". dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  24. ^ "Poh Ling Yeow". hillsmithgallery.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 July 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  25. ^ "Scrapbook". pohlingyeow.com. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  26. ^ "George and Harry retrospective raises $30,000" (PDF). The Investigator. Flinders Medical Centre Foundation. Winter 2003. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  27. ^ Khoo, Olivia (2007). The Chinese Exotic. University of Washington Press. ISBN 978-962-209-889-3. Archived from the original on 28 July 2009.
  28. ^ "Youthscape 08" (PDF). rsasa.com. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  29. ^ Byrne, Fiona (24 July 2009). "Poh swaps apron for frock in glamour photo shoot". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 July 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  30. ^ Fidler, Richard (8 May 2018). "The evolution of Poh". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  31. ^ "The Challengers - Poh Ling Yeow and Kim Thoo". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 April 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  32. ^ "Ying Yang Prawns". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 April 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  33. ^ "The Challengers - Poh Ling Yeow and Felicity Electricity". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  34. ^ "Basil Thai Fried Rice". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  35. ^ "Deep-Fried Dory Fillets with Green Mango". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  36. ^ Knox, David (11 January 2009). "7000 apply to become MasterChef". tv.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  37. ^ "MasterChef's Poh Ling Yeow eliminated from the show". news.com.au. 19 June 2009. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  38. ^ "Booted MasterChef Poh Ling Yeow love life heats up with crew guy". news.com.au. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  39. ^ Clune, Richard (19 July 2009). "MasterChef final expected to draw record television audience". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 July 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  40. ^ "MasterChef winner named". news.com.au. 19 July 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  41. ^ "World Chef Showcase". Sydney International Food Festival. 2009. Archived from the original on 7 September 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  42. ^ Munro, Kelsey (31 August 2009). "Culture club in the kitchen". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  43. ^ Ganska, Helen (8 September 2009). "Masterchef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow gets own TV cooking show". news.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  44. ^ Poh gets her own show - smh.com.au, 9 September 2009
  45. ^ Schwartzkoff, Louise (11 February 2010). "Poh's still stirring the pot". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  46. ^ "Nominees for the 2011 Logie Awards". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 April 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  47. ^ Salter, Iona (24 August 2011). "Poh's Kitchen on the Road". meldmagazine.com.au. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  48. ^ "Poh's Kitchen - Home". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  49. ^ "Poh & Co". sbs.com.au. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  50. ^ "Jamface by Poh". knifeandforkintheroad.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  51. ^ "Jamface is Poh's Place - The Adelaide Review". adelaidereview.com.au. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  52. ^ "Jamface Is Closing But It's Not The End for the Much-Loved Store • Glam Adelaide". 17 October 2019.
  53. ^ Knox, David (17 April 2019). "Returning: MasterChef Australia". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  54. ^ Knox, David (19 February 2020). "MasterChef Australia 2020: meet the cast". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  55. ^ "Poh and Adam from MasterChef's new TV show revealed". Now To Love. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  56. ^ "Great Australian Bites: Adam Liaw and Poh Ling Yeow taste the very best". New Idea. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  57. ^ "Adam Liaw and Poh Ling Yeow team up for brand new project: 'Really proud'". Yahoo Life. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  58. ^ "MasterChef Australia 2024: Who are the new judges?". Yahoo Life. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  59. ^ Leong, Matthew (23 October 2023). "MasterChef Aus taps 3 new judges, Dessert Masters S2 greenlit". Mumbrella. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  60. ^ "Fan-fav MasterChef judge DROPPED as new line-up revealed". PerthNow. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  61. ^ "MasterChef 2024: Melissa Leong quits as surprising new line-up is announced". Yahoo Life. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  62. ^ Magazine, B&T (23 October 2023). "Melissa Leong Exits MasterChef Australia And ALL Your Paramount Upfronts News". B&T. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  63. ^ a b c Shearer, Geoff (18 July 2009). "MasterChef showdown between Poh Ling Yeow and Julie Goodwin". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  64. ^ "Hey, hey it's Esther Blueburger". tamafilms.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  65. ^ "Jackie's Spring Palace". Archived from the original on 28 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  66. ^ "Jackie's Spring Palace - Main Credits". Archived from the original on 28 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  67. ^ Woolford, Lisa (2 January 2022). "'I'm not ashamed of being bossy': Poh Lin Yeow joins I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here". The Advertiser. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  68. ^ Kristine, Tarbert (2 January 2022). "MasterChef's Poh Ling Yeow joins I'm A Celebrity 2022: 'Sh***ing myself'". Yahoo! Lifestyle. Yahoo! Australia. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  69. ^ Knox, David (14 September 2022). "Upfronts 2023: Nine". TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  70. ^ Knox, David (11 November 2022). "Airdate: Lego Masters: Bricksmas Special 2022". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  71. ^ Guertin, Lachlan (14 September 2023). "MasterChef's Poh Ling Yeow hailed a 'national treasure' after hilarious Thank God You're Here cameo". Yahoo! News. Yahoo. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Poh Ling Yeow.
External videos
video icon One Plus One: Poh Ling Yeow, One Plus One, ABC News
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