For almost two decades, Matt Preston’s recipe for television success has been remarkably consistent: good food, flamboyant suits, an immaculate cravat and enough facial hair to make a Victorian-era gentleman feel underdressed.
Now he’s gone and messed with the formula.
The former MasterChef Australia judge has unveiled a dramatically different new look after shaving off his trademark beard, leaving fans doing a double take – and some declaring the 65-year-old looks decades younger.
Preston revealed the transformation on social media, where the clean-shaven food critic was almost instantly flooded with reactions from followers struggling to reconcile the fresh-faced man before them with the magnificently whiskered MasterChef icon they’ve known for years.
Based on the comments, the verdict was overwhelmingly positive, with one fan declaring Preston looked “20 years younger” and others marvelling at just how much his appearance had changed.
And, frankly, they have a point.
Gone is the familiar silver beard that has been part of the Preston package for years. In its place is a considerably younger-looking face that has apparently been hiding underneath all along.
It’s the sort of transformation normally achieved on reality TV only after six weeks, several personal trainers and an emotionally charged montage.
For longtime MasterChef viewers, Preston’s facial hair had become almost as recognisable as the cravats, colourful suits and theatrical expressions that accompanied his judging alongside Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris.
Preston became a household name during 11 seasons on MasterChef Australia, where his wonderfully dramatic tasting reactions – ranging from silent contemplation to the occasional plate-dropping fake-out – became part of the show’s appeal.
Since leaving MasterChef in 2019, the British-born food writer and broadcaster has remained a familiar presence on Australian television, appearing on shows including My Kitchen Rules and Dancing With The Stars, while continuing his work as an author and food commentator.
He is currently back on screens with his new SBS Food series Matt Preston’s Plating Locally, which premiered this month and sees him travelling across Australia and New Zealand to meet farmers, fishers, winemakers and food producers before creating dishes inspired by their produce.
SBS still described Preston as arriving with his “trademark cravat” when promoting the new series, so at least one cornerstone of the Preston wardrobe appears safe for now.
The beard, however, has officially left the kitchen.
Whether the clean-shaven look is here to stay remains to be seen. But judging by the reaction from fans, Preston may have stumbled across the cheapest anti-ageing treatment on the market.
No creams. No injections. No elaborate wellness regime. Just a razor.
Images: Instagram
