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Adam Liaw

Jørn Utzon's Sydney Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge, two of Sydney's most famous landmarks, at dusk. The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic buildings built in the 20th century (1973) and is UNESCO's world heritage.

Adam Liaw is an Australian cook, author and television presenter, best known for winning MasterChef Australia in 2010 and hosting Destination Flavour.

Approachable home cooking blending Asian and Australian influences drawn from his family heritage. This profile looks at Adam’s background, career and signature approach.

Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA.

TL;DR

  • Australian, born 1978
  • Known for winning MasterChef Australia in 2010 and hosting Destination Flavour
  • He won the second season of MasterChef Australia in 2010.
  • He was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of Japanese Cuisine by the Japanese government in 2016.
  • Approachable home cooking blending Asian and Australian influences drawn from his family heritage.

Adam Liaw key facts

NameAdam Liaw
Nationality / bornAustralian, born 1978
Known forwinning MasterChef Australia in 2010 and hosting Destination Flavour
LocationSydney, Australia
StyleApproachable home cooking blending Asian and Australian influences drawn from his family heritage.

Background and career

He worked as a corporate and media lawyer, including for the Walt Disney Company in Japan, before entering television. He won the second season of MasterChef Australia in 2010.

Recognition and legacy

He is the author of several cookbooks, beginning with Two Asian Kitchens in 2011. He was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of Japanese Cuisine by the Japanese government in 2016.

Refined fine-dining plating
Fine dining. Photo: cyclonebill, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA.

Signature style

Approachable home cooking blending Asian and Australian influences drawn from his family heritage. It is an approach that has made Adam a distinctive figure in the food world.

Adam in context

Adam Liaw is one of the chefs featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside Poh Ling Yeow and Matt Preston.

Follow Adam Liaw

Adam Liaw – profile

Adam Liaw FAQ

Who is Adam Liaw?
An Australian cook, author and television presenter.

Where is Adam based?
Sydney, Australia.

What is Adam known for?
Winning MasterChef Australia in 2010 and hosting Destination Flavour.

What is a notable fact about Adam?
He worked as a corporate and media lawyer, including for the Walt Disney Company in Japan, before entering television.

What is Adam’s style?
Approachable home cooking blending Asian and Australian influences drawn from his family heritage.

A lifelong food-industry professional and the writer behind Pickup Table 4 — a chef, waiter and restaurant owner who today invests in restaurants and food projects. A dedicated foodie with a deep love of chefs and culinary culture, profiling the people who shape how the world eats.