Brief Introduction of John Torode
John Douglas Torode MBE is a renowned Australian-British celebrity chef, television presenter, and restaurateur. He first gained widespread recognition as one of the key figures who introduced Australasian cuisine to the United Kingdom in the mid-1990s. However, he is most famous for his role as a judge and co-presenter of the popular BBC cooking competition show, MasterChef, which he fronted from its relaunch in 2005 until 2025. His straightforward and expert critique, combined with his extensive culinary knowledge, made him a household name. Beyond television, Torode has had a successful career as a restaurateur, opening acclaimed London establishments like Smiths of Smithfield and The Luxe. He is also a prolific author of cookbooks and has hosted numerous food and travel documentary series. His contributions to the culinary world and charity were recognised with an MBE in 2022.
John Torode Overview
| Full Name | John Douglas Torode |
| Date of Birth | 23 July 1965 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 60 |
| Birthplace | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Profession | Celebrity chef, television presenter, restaurateur, author |
| Husband/Wife | Lisa Faulkner (m. 2019) |
| Family | John Torode is a father to four children from previous relationships. He was previously married to Jessica Torode (m. 2000, div. 2014). His mother died when he was four, and he was largely raised by his grandmother and father. |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Not publicly available |
| Net Worth | Estimated to be around £8 million |
Early Life and Education of John Torode
John Douglas Torode was born on July 23, 1965, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the youngest of three boys. His early life was marked by a significant loss; his mother passed away when he was just four years old. Following this, he and his brother Andrew moved to Maitland, New South Wales, to live with their paternal grandmother. It was his grandmother who first ignited his passion for cooking, teaching him the fundamentals in her kitchen. This period was formative, instilling in him a love for simple, well-cooked food, with roast chicken becoming a cherished childhood dish. At the age of ten, Torode returned to Melbourne to live in Edithvale with his father, a man often away from home due to his work in commercial property. Deciding to pursue his culinary passion professionally, Torode left school at 16 to attend catering college, setting the stage for his future career.
John Torode’s Career
John Torode’s culinary career began in earnest at the age of 16 in his native Melbourne, starting at Le Coq Au Vin restaurant in Aspendale before undertaking apprenticeships in Beaumaris. In 1991, he made the pivotal decision to move to the United Kingdom, where his career quickly ascended. He began working for the esteemed Conran Group, initially as a sous chef at Le Pont de la Tour and later at Quaglino’s. It was at Quaglino’s that he first met Gregg Wallace, a greengrocer who supplied the restaurant with vegetables, sparking a professional relationship that would later define a significant portion of his career. Torode’s reputation grew, and he became the Head Chef for the launch of Mezzo in Soho in 1995, one of Europe’s largest restaurants at the time.
His television career began in 1996 when he became a resident chef on ITV’s This Morning, a role he held for four years and which made him a familiar face to the British public. In 2000, Torode ventured into restaurant ownership, opening the highly successful Smiths of Smithfield in London. This was followed by another large-scale restaurant, The Luxe, in 2009. Under his leadership, these establishments achieved a combined turnover of £9.2 million before he eventually sold his shares.
The most significant breakthrough of his career came in 2005 when the BBC relaunched MasterChef with Torode and Gregg Wallace as the new judges and presenters. The revamped show was a phenomenal success, becoming a global franchise broadcast in numerous countries. Torode’s expert but fair judging style was central to the show’s appeal. The success led to several spin-offs, including Celebrity MasterChef and Junior MasterChef, all of which he co-hosted. Alongside his MasterChef duties, he has hosted numerous other television shows, often combining his passions for food and travel, such as John Torode’s Australia, John Torode’s Asia, and John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen with his wife, Lisa Faulkner. He has also authored several successful cookbooks, starting with The Mezzo Cookbook in 1998.
John Torode Personal Life & Family
John Torode’s personal life has seen him married twice. He was married to Jessica Torode from 2000 until their separation in 2011 and subsequent divorce in 2014. They have two children together, a son named Jonah and a daughter named Lulu. Torode also has two older children, Marselle and Casper, from a previous relationship.
In 2010, while filming Celebrity MasterChef, he met actress Lisa Faulkner, who was a contestant and eventual winner of the series. They began dating publicly in 2012 and their shared passion for food and life blossomed. Torode proposed on Christmas Day in 2018, and the couple married on October 24, 2019, at Aynhoe Park in Oxfordshire. They reside in London and co-host the popular ITV cooking show, John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen. Torode is also known to be a keen cyclist, a hobby he took up at age nine and uses to stay fit. He has stated that cooking is a form of relaxation for him, akin to yoga.
Awards and Achievements of John Torode
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): Appointed in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to food, broadcasting, and charity.
- James Beard Foundation Award: Won for “Best Food Photography” in 1998 for his first book, The Mezzo Cookbook.
- Glenfiddich Food & Drink Awards: Served as a member of the judging panel, recognising excellence in the food and drink industry.
John Torode Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, John Torode’s net worth is estimated to be approximately £8 million. His wealth has been accumulated through a multifaceted career. A significant portion of his income has come from his long and successful tenure as a co-presenter and judge on the BBC’s MasterChef franchise. His restaurant ventures have also been highly lucrative; the establishments he opened in London reportedly generated a turnover of nearly £10 million before he sold them to pursue other projects. Furthermore, Torode is a successful author, having penned numerous cookbooks that have sold well over the years. His income is supplemented by his other television work, including his travel and cooking series, corporate engagements, and appearances at food festivals.
Legacy and Influence
John Torode holds a significant legacy in the British culinary landscape. He is widely credited as one of the key chefs who introduced and popularised Australasian cuisine in the UK during the 1990s. Through his work with the Conran Group and his own restaurants, he brought new flavours and a fresh, relaxed dining style to London. His restaurant Smiths of Smithfield was particularly influential, championing high-quality, rare-breed British meat and building strong relationships with small-scale farmers and suppliers. He also innovated by establishing a breakfast service at a time when most high-end restaurants only opened for lunch and dinner.
However, his most profound influence comes from his two-decade role on MasterChef. Alongside Gregg Wallace, he transformed the show into a cultural phenomenon that has inspired millions of home cooks and shaped the careers of numerous professional chefs. His role as a mentor and judge has had a lasting impact on countless contestants and the broader food television genre. Torode’s numerous cookbooks and travel documentaries have further cemented his status as an accessible yet authoritative culinary voice, encouraging people to explore global cuisines and appreciate the story behind their food.
Interesting Facts about John Torode
- His grandmother, who taught him to cook, was his biggest culinary inspiration.
- He is an avid cyclist and has been passionate about the sport since he was nine years old. He often uses cycling to keep fit and counter the effects of a career centred around food.
- He and his MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace famously did not socialise outside of work, which Torode believed was a key to their successful on-screen partnership.
- He reportedly blagged his way into his first major television role on This Morning.
- He asked his now-wife, Lisa Faulkner, out on a date for the first time via a letter, a move he later admitted was “cowardly.”
- One of his early influences was Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
Controversies
In July 2025, John Torode’s long-standing career with MasterChef came to an end. It was confirmed that his contract would not be renewed following an upheld allegation that he had used racist language. The allegation stemmed from an incident reported to have occurred in 2018 or 2019. The finding was part of a broader independent inquiry commissioned by production company Banijay UK into the conduct of his co-host, Gregg Wallace. In a public statement, Torode said he had “no recollection of the incident” and did not believe it happened, while also stating that racial language is “wholly unacceptable.” The BBC and Banijay UK took the finding “incredibly seriously,” leading to the decision to end his role on the show. The 2025 series of MasterChef had already been filmed and was his last appearance.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not disclosed
- Twitter – Information not disclosed
- YouTube – Information not disclosed
Final Words about John Torode
John Torode’s career is a testament to his enduring passion for food, from his grandmother’s kitchen in Australia to the highest echelons of the London restaurant scene and the global stage of MasterChef. For two decades, he was a defining figure in food television, shaping the tastes and aspirations of a generation of cooks. Despite the controversial end to his tenure on MasterChef, his legacy as a chef, restaurateur, and author remains significant. He continues to share his culinary expertise alongside his wife, Lisa Faulkner, on their ITV show John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen and through their joint cookbooks. His influence is embedded in the UK’s appreciation for Australasian food and the enduring popularity of competitive cooking shows. Torode’s journey reflects a deep love for travel, flavour, and the simple joy of sharing good food.
