EXCLUSIVE: The truth about Poh Ling Yeow’s ‘Love Square’ marriages, why she can’t find a date on Tinder — and what it was REALLY like working with Melissa Leong at MasterChef
MasterChef success story Poh Ling Yeow has spoken about her unconventional love life and what it was like returning to the cooking show that made her famous.
Speaking to Chron Australia this week at her new pop-up restaurant at QT Melbourne, the 49-year-old brushed off public fascination with her “Love Square” business arrangement nowhere near as “salaciously” as people might think.
Until recently, Poh ran café Jamface in Adelaide with her two ex-husbands, Jono Bennett and Matt Phipps, and Matt’s new wife – and Poh’s best friend – Sarah Rich. Jono has since left the shop.
MasterChef success story Poh Ling Yeow has spoken about her unconventional love life and what it was like returning to the cooking show that made her famous
While this partnership might seem unusual to some, Poh said their unique dynamic is “not a big deal.”
“I think everyone wants to paint this really salacious picture, but we just got into it [being friends and business partners] with such ease that it’s just not a big deal to us,” she said, citing public interest in the unorthodox partnership.
“We all walk [Jamface café] together, so we are equal partners. So the biscuit crumbled. We don’t really think funny because that’s what happened to us.
“I think everyone wants to believe that there is a love triangle. There is no love triangle, believe me!’
Speaking to Chron Australia this week at her new pop-up restaurant at QT Melbourne, the 49-year-old brushed off public fascination with her “Love Square” business arrangement nowhere near as “salaciously” as people might think
Until recently, Poh ran café Jamface in Adelaide with her two ex-husbands, Jono Bennett and Matt Phipps, and Matt’s new wife – and Poh’s best friend – Sarah Rich. Jonathan has since left the shop. (Pictured: Poh and Jono are pictured in December 2016)
Matt’s first husband Matt Phipps (left) is now married to her best friend Sarah Rich (right).
The Snackmasters host went on to say she was ‘so saddened’ at the end of her marriage to first husband Matt and has maintained their friendship and business relationships because she ‘doesn’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water’.
“Once we no longer had to be together as a marriage, we were like, ‘Oh my god, this is so much better. That’s everything we love about our relationship, minus all the obnoxious parts.”
Poh followed the same pattern when she split from second husband Jono in 2021 after six years of marriage, with the couple remaining close to this day.
After focusing on her career for the past year, Poh is now ready to get back into the dating world, but admits her high media exposure makes it difficult for her to work on dating apps.
“There is no interest in me, there is nothing. And I don’t know how to do that! I don’t know how someone who works in media…how do you navigate through the apps? She said.
While Poh’s partnership with her ex may seem unusual, she said their dynamic is “not a big deal.”
But the Malaysian-born chef seems content to take her time and do things face-to-face rather than trying to navigate “ruthless” dating apps.
Poh also shared what it was like working with MasterChef judge Melissa Leong as she returned to the 2020 cook-off for Back to Win season.
“It was really nice to have that feminine energy from Melissa. I felt like it really brought such a different vibe and sensibility to the review, which I appreciated,” she said.
She went on to reveal that she developed a “cultural bond” with Melissa, 42, who is of Chinese-Singaporean descent, and was grateful to have “someone by her side.” [her] Page’.
Poh also revealed what it was like working with MasterChef judge Melissa Leong (pictured) when she returned to the 2020 cook-off for the Back to Win season. “It was really nice to have that feminine energy from Melissa. I felt like it really brought such a different vibe and sensibility to the review, which I appreciated,” she said
Poh Ling Yeow, 49, reveals the skincare secrets behind her incredibly timeless complexion
Poh Ling Yeow looks younger every year even though she is almost 50 years old.
Now, the 49-year-old MasterChef success story has revealed her tried-and-true skincare routine that keeps her face so youthful.
Speaking to Chron Australia this week, she said she only uses a foaming face wash and moisturizer.
Neutrogena facial cleansing foam with Aveeno. My whole life. That’s what I’ve always used and I swear by it,” she said.
Poh Ling Yeow looks younger every year even though she is almost 50 years old
Poh also revealed she had been eating “very cleanly” lately, picking up fresh produce from the farmer’s market near her Jamface cafe in Adelaide.
“For dinner the other day, I had half a rockmelon with beautifully made local prosciutto,” she said, along with steamed limes and mushrooms.
Although she often uses her cooking talents in her own kitchen, the TV presenter says she also indulges in chocolate and Two Minute Noodles.
“I eat very clean because the produce is so delicious, but after that I will eat like chocolate for breakfast. I can be a really gross person too,” she joked.
Poh also revealed she had been eating “very cleanly” lately, picking up fresh produce from the farmer’s market near her Jamface cafe in Adelaide
“I love two-minute noodles. This is my vice. When I’m a little depresso or a little stressed, that’s absolutely my go-to.
“That and some lettuce or wombok and then some frozen fishballs or whatever I can find in the freezer.”
It comes as Poh announced she will be returning to MasterChef as a guest judge this year after enjoying her final appearance on the show alongside Melissa Leong.
She returned to the cook-off for the 2020 Back to Win season.