A Life Focused on Family and Food
French chef, restaurateur, and MasterChef judge Jean-Christophe Novelli has always had a deep passion for food. However, his true heart lies with his family. He shares that they are the reason he does everything he does.
“They are the reason – nothing else,” he says of his wife Michelle Kennedy, 50, daughter Christina, 39, and sons Jean, 18, Jacques, 14, and Valentino, 10. Their home life in Hertfordshire, England, at a 14th-century farmhouse in the village of Tea Green, may be chaotic but it’s filled with love. Despite this, Jean-Christophe has chosen to keep their lives private, especially when it comes to television.
He explains that the family wouldn’t feel comfortable being part of a TV documentary or reality show, unlike his long-time colleague Gordon Ramsay. “It’s not something you want to expose. It’s not easy when one of your kids has tremendous issues,” he says, referring to Valentino, who has autism and is non-verbal.
“We cope very well and we’ve managed to turn around a not very nice situation to something that’s becoming so enjoyable for all of us. Do we want to share that? No, I don’t think so. Gordon, obviously, whatever he touches turns to gold, and his family are fantastic – I would much rather be on the couch watching them.”
While he may not be on camera, Jean-Christophe is still very active in the MasterChef studio, where he works alongside fellow judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Andy Allen.
When asked which of his children he loves the most, he responds, “Every time that we are together there is a natural bond. We don’t have to be together, we want to be together. It’s like we have the same blood and have the same mission.”
He also mentions that new dad Andy Allen, 37, has been seeking some parenting tips from him. “I’m an expert in changing nappies,” he laughs. “My wife and I have been changing nappies for the last 17 years. Just to raise a kid with love every single day, that’s the most important thing.”
Jean-Christophe has even offered to help with the food at Sofia’s upcoming wedding. “I had the privilege to meet Sofia’s lovely fiance and I was very impressed,” he says. “If I am in Australia, I will be there and I would be happy to do the food.”
Bonding with Robert
This season’s line-up of celebrity guest judges includes notable names such as Duchess Meghan, Jimmy Barnes, and Robert Irwin. For Jean-Christophe, Robert stood out, reminding him of fellow chef Jamie Oliver.
“I don’t compliment. I don’t talk to please. I say it because I mean it,” he says. “The first time I met Jamie I said, ‘Bloody hell.’ I was very impressed. Robert’s nonstop, he’s actually quite amazing the way he handles it all.”
He also shares that his wife was a big fan of Robert’s late father, Steve. “I said, ‘She used to go and see your dad all the time.’ And he stopped and it was like [he was having] a flashback of his dad. He’s such a lovely kid.”
Jean-Christophe reveals that Robert was keen to work with him again. “He said, ‘Are you going to come on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!?’”
“I said, ‘Robert, I can’t. You could pay me millions of pounds, I would not go on that show! I don’t mind jumping from the plane, but I can’t eat maggots, I can’t be next to a dirty fly.’”
