In 2024, the recipe for MasterChef Australia is looking a little different! One of the three fresh faces joining Andy Allen on the judging panel this year is Sofia Levin.
She writes, she travels, and she knows the culinary world inside out. She hasn’t just dedicated her life to food, she’s dedicated her life to eating!
The Water Cooler was lucky enough to chat with Sofia ahead of the show’s premiere on Monday, April 22 on 10 and 10 Play.
Congratulations on your new role! How does it feel to join the MasterChef Australia family?
It feels incredibly surreal. You can quite literally count on your hands how many people have had the opportunity to be a judge on MasterChef Australia, so to say it’s a privilege is an understatement. I’ve been existing in a general state of exuberance since getting the call!
What was the filming experience like for you? Was it what you expected?
I absolutely adored seeing and being part of what is surely the most well-oiled machine in production history. I had heard that the team was incredible and lovely, but experiencing it is something else entirely. I knew it was a big undertaking, but I don’t think I expected how all-consuming it would be. I loved every second of it.
What surprised you the most?
The evolution of the contestants. I expected them to improve, but I didn’t realise just how much they skyrocket. Not only that but being part of their journeys of personal growth was really special. Food is one thing, but they all grew so much as people. Some of the contestants are so open and trusting that it felt like this cooking competition was expedited therapy.
What drove you to create your #EatCuriously movement and what has the reaction been?
The Seasoned Traveller website, newsletter and my Instagram are the platforms I use the most to talk about eating curiously. My appetite and what I consume has always been led by curiosity, well before I had the right language and platforms to talk about it. I’ve always been interested in trying unfamiliar food from different people and places, far more than following the crowd to the hottest new opening or venue of a celebrity chef. As a freelance journalist, I always wrote these “newsworthy” food stories, but found it counterintuitive that the same, new venues often receive similar coverage across the major food publications. I learned early on in journalism school that the whole idea of journalism is to find an original angle — it just didn’t seem to apply to mainstream food writing. I was, being commissioned the same stories as everyone else, so I decided to pitch articles that weren’t driven by top chefs or “cool” spots. For quite a few years there, the publications didn’t want my pitches, so I wrote them myself. It started with Instagram, but then I had time to create Seasoned Traveller during Covid because I didn’t have any work for about 18 months. My audience has always been interested in eating curiously, even if that simply means trying something new for the first time or reading something they won’t find elsewhere. Now I notice major publications covering smaller venues after they see them on Seasoned Traveller or my Instagram, or lists that include spots that I’ve covered, and I love it — there’s nothing better for those little businesses than being widely celebrated. And from where I’m standing, there’s no shortage of them to share.
You’re Melbourne born and bred, what are your Top 5 never-fail food experiences? Can be restaurants, cafes or specific items that always hit the spot!
I curl up and die at the thought of a definitive, be-all-end-all list, but I will give you five recommendations!
- For classic and potentially the best Italian (and BYO!), it has to be Scopri in Carlton
- For a food adventure without venturing too far, a self-guided progressive lunch through Footscray covering Vietnamese, Ethiopian and finishing with cannoli from T. Cavallaro & Sons
- For a pub meal, the Marquis of Lorne is my local and I love the sunny seats outside and dog-friendly vibes
- My favourite Vietnamese on Victoria Street is Co Thu Quan (for interesting, regional dishes and soups) and Thanh Ha 2 for banh xeo
- For a bar I’ll never tire of, I’ll go to Gerald’s in Carlton North. I’ve visited with friends, family, on dates, with partners, with pets, by myself and laugh, cried, shouted, listened and everything in between there.
- For a wonderful Thai hotpot experience (different from Chinese hot pot), it has to be Nana Mookata (also BYO) in the CBD.
- For brunch, Terror Twilight in Collingwood for beautiful and generous cafe food, or Ima Asa Yoru in Brunswick for an exquisite Japanese breakfast.
Whoops, that’s seven — told you I’m bad at lists.
What are your Top 3 Instagram accounts to follow?
Other than @sofiaklevin, @seasonedtravellerHQ and @masterchefau, I assume? 😉
I love @migrantmeals (three locals exploring multicultural food); @welcomemerchant (a WOC-led social enterprise that promotes incredible food businesses and puts on wonderful events) and @migrationology (Mark eats his way around the world and does a killer job at it, including on his YouTube. We couldn’t walk down the street in Melbourne without strangers asking for selfies every 20 metres… In fact, can we get him on next season?!).
