Australian by birth, John Torode is credited as one of the main players in introducing Australasian food to the UK in the mid-1990s. In 1992 he joined the Conran Group, starting out at Pont de La Tour before becoming Sous Chef at Quaglino’s.
In 1995, John became Head Chef for the launch of Mezzo in Soho; at the time one of Europe’s largest restaurants. He opened Smiths of Smithfield in 2000. The four-floor Grade-II listed restaurant, private dining room and cafĂ©, located in the heart of Smithfield Market, was a roaring success under his leadership and became a firm fixture on both the restaurant and bar scenes during his tenure.
John’s second restaurant venture was another popular multi-storey operation, The Luxe, which opened at Spitalfields Market in 2009.
John Torode | TV Breakthrough
John’s breakthrough in television came in the mid-1990s when he began appearing as a guest chef on ITV’s This Morning, where his confident style and clear passion for food made him an instant hit with viewers.
These early appearances showcased his ability to communicate recipes in a relatable, engaging way, laying the groundwork for a successful broadcasting career. However, it was in 2005 that his TV profile rose dramatically when he was selected as co-judge on the revamped MasterChef alongside Gregg Wallace.
The show quickly became a ratings success and cultural phenomenon, with John’s no-nonsense approach, culinary insight, and signature Australian charm helping to redefine food television for a new generation.John Torode | Beyond Masterchef
John Torode | Beyond Masterchef
While most well known for MasterChef, John has also carved out a successful career as a television presenter across a range of food and travel programmes. He has fronted several popular series for the BBC, including John Torode’s Australia, John Torode’s Asia, and John Torode’s Middle East, in which he explored the culinary cultures of various countries while tracing his personal and professional roots.
These series combined food, travel, and storytelling, allowing John to showcase his natural curiosity and deep appreciation for global cuisines.
Since 2019, John has co-hosted John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen on ITV alongside his wife, actress Lisa Faulkner, where the couple shares easy-to-follow recipes and kitchen inspiration in a relaxed weekend format.
John Torode | Books
John is a successful food writer and the author of several popular cookbooks that reflect his passion for bold flavours, global cuisines, and simple, accessible cooking. His debut, The Mezzo Cookbook (1998), won a James Beard Award and established him as a serious culinary voice beyond the restaurant scene.
Since then, he has written a number of well-received titles including John Torode’s Beef, John Torode’s Chicken, and My Kind of Food, each showcasing his love of honest ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.
His travel-based cookbooks, such as John Torode’s Australia and John Torode’s Asia combine recipes with rich cultural insights, echoing the themes of his television series.
John has also contribued to Olive and BBC Good Food magazines, as well as Radio Times and Red magazine and has supplied articles for the Guardian, Daily Mail and Observer newspapers.
John Torode | Speaking
John is a very popular choice for corporate events, including culinary demonstrations, informative talks and Q&A sessions. He was a member of the judging panel for the Glenfiddich Food & Drink Awards and appears at numerous food festivals each year. He is a sought-after keynote speaker for food and lifestyle industries, combining storytelling from his career with practical insights into cooking, travel and innovation. He works well in corporate settings as MC or presenter, offering authenticity and audience engagement.
