Poh Ling Yeow breaks down in tears on MasterChef Australia as she remembers her late mother Christina
Poh Ling Yeow was moved to tears on Wednesday night as she told her story about her late mother Christina on MasterChef Australia.
The 50-year-old celebrity chef burst into tears during the Channel 10 competition and told of the touching moment her mother first said she was proud of her.
The Malaysian-born presenter, wiping away tears, said her mother struggled to show affection to her daughter until Poh found fame on MasterChef in 2009.
The heartbreaking moment began when contestant Nat revealed that her mother told her for the first time that she was proud of her when she landed a spot on the show.
Nat, 28, who is of Thai descent, says her cultural heritage made it difficult for her family to stay close, but MasterChef has broken down those barriers.
As the Melbourne-born barista cried tears of joy over her new relationship with her mother, Poh began to cry too.
“Nat, I just wanted to say something,” Poh managed to say.
‘After I went on MasterChef, it was one of the first times my mother told me she was proud of me.’
Poh Ling Yeow was moved to tears on Wednesday night as she told her story about her late mother Christina on MasterChef Australia
Trying not to burst into tears any further, she continued, “I think that’s why I get so emotional when I’m in the kitchen, because it’s had such an impact on my life outside of cooking.
‘Cooking became the thing that bonded us, because as Asians we struggled to express our love.
“It’s really amazing how this cuisine connects us in so many different ways,” she concluded.
Poh’s mother tragically passed away in November 2022.
“After I was on MasterChef, it was one of the first times my mom ever said she was proud of me,” Poh said. Pictured with mom Christina
The author of the cookbook revealed to Refinery 29 Australia last month that the grief over her mother’s death still overwhelms her when she least expects it.
“I find it comes at the most unexpected times. I find it happens when your mind is not active; like when you’re doing something very mundane, like driving,” she said.
It’s almost like you’re busy and doing things, it’s a way to [grief] “It stays a secret, but when you don’t realize it, it comes out to say hello.”