MasterChef star Poh Ling Yeow reveals shock new career move away from the kitchen: ‘Couldn’t be prouder’

Poh Ling Yeow announced a surprise career change on Monday when she revealed she will be working closely with Tourism NT.

The MasterChef star, 51, who is best known for her cooking and TV work, has now taken on the role of ambassador for the Northern Territory.

She revealed she wants to inspire Australians to discover a northern holiday that is ‘different in every way’.

“As someone who loves to travel, learn and find inspiration in new places, the NT is a dream destination,” Poh said.

‘From the breathtaking Top End to the awe-inspiring Red Center, I have fallen in love with it all – and I couldn’t be more proud to showcase everything this extraordinary place has to offer!’

In her new role, Poh will showcase the Northern Territory’s “unparalleled beauty, rich cultures, vibrant food scene and artistic heritage.”

Poh stepped into the role after gracing the cover of The Australian Women’s Weekly last year for the first ever Outback Christmas issue.

Since then, she has explored the vast area, famous for its red desert landscapes, and visited some iconic destinations.

While traveling through the Top End, the celebrity chef enjoyed stops at Litchfield National Park, Finniss River Lodge and the territory’s tropical capital, Darwin.

She then headed to the Red Center 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.

Tourism NT Chief Marketing Officer Tony Quarmby shared his delight at welcoming Poh Ling Yeow as the newest ambassador for the NT.

“Poh’s passion for food, art, culture, the outdoors and discovery perfectly captures the essence of the area,” he said.

‘Wherever she went, she effortlessly connected with visitors and locals alike, and fans from Australia and around the world flocked to meet her.

‘Poh’s genuine warmth, authenticity and deep connection to the area’s landscapes and stories make her the perfect inspiration for others to explore our incredible destination.’

Poh’s new gig comes after she admitted in her Women’s Weekly interview that she feels ‘guilty’ over the death of her beloved mother.

The former MasterChef contestant and judge lost her mother Christina to cancer in November 2022 and was working abroad when she passed away.

Poh shared her regrets about her trip abroad in November, saying she still has regrets when she thinks about Christina’s long battle with cancer.

“She was sick, she encouraged me to go, but I shouldn’t have done that – it will be a wound forever,” she told The Australian Women’s Weekly during the Christmas issue.

‘She never once complained during her treatment, she was so stoic. I was confident she would win the battle and buy at least a few more months, if not years.

“I took her courage for granted, but it turned out to be the worst throw ever.”

Earlier this year, Poh broke down in tears on MasterChef when discussing her relationship with her late mother.

Wiping away tears, the Malaysian-born presenter said her mother struggled to show affection until Poh shot to fame on MasterChef in 2009.

The heartbreaking moment started when contestant Nat revealed that her mother first told her she was proud of her when she landed a place on the show, before Poh opened up about her own experiences.

“After I was on MasterChef, it was one of the first times my mother ever said she was proud of me,” Poh shared through tears.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she continued, “I think that’s why I’m very emotional when I’m in this kitchen, because it affected so much of my life outside of cooking.

‘Cooking became the thing that united us, because we had this very Asian problem of having difficulty expressing our love.

“So it’s so amazing how this cuisine connects us in so many different ways.”