Why Nagi Maehashi makes the perfect guest judge on Masterchef Australia 2024

If you’ve ever Googled a recipe to cook at home, chances are you’ve come across RecipeTin Eats. The food site attracts millions of visitors every month – and it’s run by Aussie Nagi Maehashi, with a little help from her dog and taste-tester, Dozer.

It’s fitting that Nagi – a home cook turned internet powerhouse and best-selling cookbook writer – was tapped as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia.

Why Nagi Maehashi makes the perfect guest judge on Masterchef Australia 2024 | Now To Love (1)

“I love the show because it has all my favourite things: clever home cooks, innovative recipes and expert foodies as the judges,” Nagi, 46, tells TV WEEK. “Tick, tick, tick!”

Popping into the MasterChef kitchen this week with a Mystery Box of 50 ingredients, Nagi is on hand to taste what the home cooks manage to plate up.

“It was a blast working with the contestants – they’re so talented,” Nagi says of her time on MasterChef. “[And the judges] are brilliant. I felt very fortunate to stand on the ‘other side of the bench’ with them.”

Why Nagi Maehashi makes the perfect guest judge on Masterchef Australia 2024 | Now To Love (2)

As someone who quit her day job to chase her foodie dreams full-time, Nagi clearly identifies with the contestants.

“Everyone thought I was mad,” she says of leaving her corporate finance gig to launch the website. “For years, people would ask, ‘When are you coming back to the real world?’”

Ten years later, her gamble has paid off, but it’s been a long journey.

“The day I launched the website, I had two whole visitors – me and my mum,” Nagi laughs. “It was hard, and I was worried I was making a huge mistake. But the thought of giving up never crossed my mind.”

With RecipeTin Eats thriving, her cookbook winning awards and a debut MasterChef appearance under her belt, is her own TV show Nagi’s next step?

“Never say never!” she teases.

Purchase RecipeTin Eats by Nagi by clicking here.