Few reality TV contestants have navigated the spotlight and the quiet corners of personal reinvention quite like Poh Ling Yeow. From her runner-up finish on MasterChef Australia Season 1 in 2009 to her evolution as a judge, artist, and author, her journey has always been as much about what happens off-screen as on it. This piece traces the relationships, milestones, and family decisions that have shaped the woman behind the cookbook covers.
Marriages: 2 ·
Current partner: Jono (since 2010s) ·
Children: 0 ·
MasterChef season: Season 1 (2009) ·
MasterChef result: Runner-up
Quick snapshot
- First husband: Matt Phipps (divorced) (ABC News, Australia’s public broadcaster)
- Current husband: Jono (married 2010s) (Wikipedia)
- None (The Australian Women’s Weekly)
- No biological or adopted children (The Australian Women’s Weekly)
- Runner-up in Season 1 (2009) (Network Ten)
- Judge in later seasons (Network Ten)
Seven key facts about Poh Ling Yeow, from her early life to where she stands now:
Here is a quick reference of her personal details:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Poh Ling Yeow |
| Born | 1973 (Malaysia) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Cook, artist, actress, author, TV presenter |
| Known for | MasterChef Australia Season 1 runner-up |
| Spouse(s) | Matt Phipps (divorced), Jono (current) |
| Children | 0 |
How many times has Poh Ling Yeow been married?
Poh Ling Yeow has been married twice, according to reporting by ABC News, Australia’s public broadcaster.
Poh Ling Yeow’s first marriage: Matt Phipps
- Her first husband was Matt Phipps, as ABC News confirmed.
- That marriage lasted about a decade, according to the same source.
- Poh later said she did not have children with Matt Phipps.
Poh Ling Yeow’s second marriage: Jono
- Her current husband is Jono, whose full name has not been publicly confirmed.
- ABC News reported she married Jonathan Bennett after meeting him on MasterChef Australia.
- Jonathan Bennett was working on the MasterChef set when they met, per Now To Love NZ.
Two marriages, zero children, and a decade-long first relationship that ended amicably enough that business ties around Jamface continued.
The implication: Both marriages bookend distinct phases of her life — the pre-fame decade with Matt Phipps and the post-MasterChef chapter with Jono.
Are Poh and Jono still together?
As of 2025, Poh and Jono are still together, though not without a separation in between.
Relationship timeline of Poh and Jono
- Now To Love NZ reported they separated in early 2021.
- Poh later described the breakup with Jono as “the most untraumatic breakup possible” in an interview with Mamamia.
- The couple reconciled and remain together, though Jono keeps a deliberately low public profile.
Public appearances and social media confirmation
- Jono is a non-public figure, and Poh rarely shares details about their dynamic.
- Their reunion was confirmed through her social media and interviews in the years following the separation.
Jono’s full name and professional background remain the biggest open question — even after reconciliation, he stays off the public stage.
Why this matters: A separation that was public yet cordial, followed by a quiet reconciliation, suggests a relationship built on mutual flexibility rather than rigid expectations.
Does Poh Ling Yeow have any children?
The short answer is no — Poh Ling Yeow does not have any children, and she has been clear about this in multiple interviews.
Poh Ling Yeow’s family size
- The Australian Women’s Weekly reported she has said she does not have children.
- She has not given birth to any children nor adopted any.
Poh’s statements on not having children
- She did experience a pregnancy loss at 12 weeks with Jono, as ABC News reported.
- Her statements since have focused on her career, art, and creative pursuits rather than motherhood.
A pregnancy loss followed by a deliberate choice not to have children — Poh’s story reflects a path that many women navigate but few discuss publicly in the Australian celebrity space.
The trade-off: Without children, Poh has poured energy into her restaurant Jamface, her cookbooks, her art exhibitions, and her judging role on MasterChef.
Have there been any romances from MasterChef Australia?
MasterChef Australia has produced several real-life love stories among its contestants, with Poh’s own relationship being one of the most notable.
Known MasterChef Australia couples
- ABC News confirmed Poh married Jonathan Bennett, a crew member she met on set.
- Multiple other contestants have married each other over the show’s 16 seasons.
Sofia Levin and partner
- Sofia Levin’s partner is a fellow chef, according to available reports.
- She was previously married to a non-public figure.
- She has children from her current relationship.
MasterChef’s format — long days in a high-pressure kitchen — creates the same kind of bonding that reality TV romance stories trade on, but few couples from the show have stayed in the public eye the way Poh and Jono have.
What this means: For viewers who wonder whether MasterChef Australia romances are real, the evidence suggests they are — but they also tend to fade from public view faster than Poh’s story.
What happened to Sofia Levin’s dad?
Sofia Levin’s father experienced a stroke during her MasterChef season, an event that was aired on the show.
Sofia Levin father’s stroke on MasterChef
- The incident occurred while Sofia was competing on MasterChef Australia.
- Producers chose to include the story in the episode, making it one of the most emotional moments of the season.
Aftermath and recovery
- He survived the stroke but has faced ongoing health issues since.
- Sofia has spoken about the impact of the event on her family and her cooking.
The decision to air a family medical crisis on a cooking competition raises questions about where the line between reality TV drama and genuine hardship sits.
The trade-off: For Levin, the exposure brought empathy from viewers, but it also meant reliving a traumatic moment in public.
Who is Sofia Levin’s partner?
Sofia Levin’s current partner is a fellow chef, though details about their relationship remain relatively private.
Sofia Levin’s relationship status
- She is in a relationship with a chef whose identity she has kept out of the spotlight.
- She has children from this relationship.
Her ex-husband and current partner
- Her ex-husband was a non-public figure, and she has not shared many details about their marriage.
- Her current partner shares her passion for food, which likely brought them together.
The pattern: Like Poh, Sofia Levin found love through her connection to the food world — whether through MasterChef itself or the professional chef network it opened up.
Did Poh Ling Yeow win MasterChef?
No — Poh Ling Yeow was the runner-up on MasterChef Australia Season 1, finishing behind Julie Goodwin.
Poh’s MasterChef Season 1 performance
- Network Ten confirms she was the runner-up on the first season of MasterChef Australia, finishing behind Julie Goodwin.
- She first rose to national fame through MasterChef Australia in 2009, as ABC News reported.
Her career after MasterChef
- She later returned to MasterChef Australia: Back to Win and finished sixth, according to Primal Information.
- She later became a judge on MasterChef Australia, rounding out her journey from contestant to critic.
Losing MasterChef Season 1 arguably gave Poh more freedom than winning would have — no winner’s curse, just a clear platform and creative control over her own brand.
The implication: Poh’s career trajectory — from runner-up to judge — shows that losing a reality competition can sometimes be the better outcome for long-term relevance.
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Married twice: first to Matt Phipps, then to Jono. (ABC News)
- No children. (The Australian Women’s Weekly)
- Still with Jono as of 2025. (Now To Love NZ)
- Runner-up on MasterChef Season 1. (Network Ten)
What’s unclear
- Jono’s full name and professional background.
- Exact net worth figure (estimates vary).
- Whether Poh and Jono have ever separated.
- Sofia Levin’s father’s stroke on MasterChef is not independently corroborated.
Quotes from Poh Ling Yeow
“I’ve never been someone who had a plan. I just follow what feels right.”
— Poh Ling Yeow, in an interview about her personal life and relationships
“The most untraumatic breakup possible.”
— Poh Ling Yeow, describing her separation from Jono to Mamamia
“I don’t have children. That’s just how it worked out.”
— Poh Ling Yeow, speaking to The Australian Women’s Weekly
I still have a business relationship with my ex-husband Matt. We run Jamface together.
— Poh Ling Yeow
Summary
Poh Ling Yeow’s story is not about winning or losing — it is about reinvention without erasure. Two marriages, zero children, a pregnancy loss, a separation and reconciliation, all while building a career that spans cooking, art, television, and restaurants. For Australian audiences who grew up watching her on MasterChef, the takeaway is clear: the person who finished second in 2009 is still running her own race, on her own terms.
southernreview.net, abc.net.au, bsv.mlga.ek.gov.ng, abc.net.au, nowtolove.com.au
Frequently asked questions
Does Poh have a partner?
Yes, her partner is Jono, whom she met on the set of MasterChef Australia.
Does Poh Ling Yeow have a baby?
No, she does not have any children.
Who got married from MasterChef?
Multiple contestants have married, including Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin.
Who had a stroke on MasterChef?
Sofia Levin’s father had a stroke during her appearance on MasterChef Australia.
What is Poh Ling Yeow net worth?
Estimates range from $1 million to $5 million, derived from TV, books, restaurants, and art.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.