Correcting Something Important

My Chat with Sofia Levin of Eat Curiously: "Lead with Curiosity, not Rage"

Forgive me. I saw a clip, an isolated clip on media, and immediately puzzled over the background and meaning. I felt my heart quicken. How could Jewishness again be cut off, and from such a MAJOR media force in the food world as MasterChef? And in Australia? (Cue the emotions related to all of the terror). I took all of this and wrote. I hit publish.

Yes, I did ask questions in my piece, and yes, I was genuinely hoping it was simply an editing gaffe. But my emotions were stoked. In a world of anti-Israel, anti-Jewish sentiment, I was concerned when a seriously excellent clip from MasterChef Australia, posted on their Facebook/TikTok/YouTube, did not have any audio or visual evidence telling of latkes being Jewish.

I wrote this piece, and it could have ended there, for me, at least. It could have done more damage online. Maybe it did.

It could have simply become more noise, and maybe it did—-except for what followed. This is the extraordinary part:

Sofia Levin, MasterChef Australia Judge, food writer, journalist, and the whole subject of the latke issue (“latke-gate”?) wrote to me. While I had probably poured more oil on the fire and added to the shrill voices and scrutiny she faced, she kindly wrote to me. And what a note.

We continued a very important conversation over Substack chat.

While I might have been brash to publish my piece, especially learning about some of what was pummeled at Sofia, I am grateful for my curiosity that helped me discover her, her beautiful writing, and presence. I am grateful for our conversation.

It is my job, now, to help correct the narrative, or at least anything negative that I stirred up. And I have a direct line, thanks to our ongoing chat, to understanding the real scoop and what really happens, on set, and off set, to a degree, for Sofia.

You will, too:

Ladies and gents, this is Sofia Levin. I am so pleased to glean a clearer understanding. She inspired me (and perhaps, us) to “eat curiously” but also think and respond that way, too.

First of all, I understood pretty quickly in our chat that this food writer, travel writer, and MasterChef Australia judge had been hurled insults and made to feel shame over what should have been a cause for celebration.

ABOUT THE NEGATIVE RESPONSE:

Sofia: …When Episode 10 (”Quick Carb Hacks”) went to air, I was appalled at the number of DMs I received from the Jewish community telling me I should be ashamed of myself. They were cutting, and in many cases, cruel. I often feel unease being in the public eye and talking about my Jewishness because it feels like I’m damned if I do, and damned if I don’t. I get trolled from both sides, so I stick to what feels right for me in a particular context. I deliberately chose latkes that day as opposed to something else to represent my heritage, the same way the other judges did (Poh with noodles, for example).

Sofia, Con’t: By the time I saw the aforementioned DMs, the next episode, number 11, had aired (”Family Food Traditions”). In it, I speak openly about Passover being my family tradition. A few of the original DMers had done a full 180 and thanked me for speaking openly about being Jewish before I had a chance to reply to the first message. Others said nothing.

How would you describe the environment within the MasterChef Australia community or set? How has your heritage been included within MasterChef, especially knowing how they seem to value rich food culture?

Sofia: MasterChef has only ever encouraged me to speak more about myself and share more of what I’ve historically considered my personal life. In a previous season, I spoke about challah sandwiches and French toast following Shabbat, and how they are the best leftovers ever, and I remember one of the editors later saying something along the lines of, “I didn’t even know you were Jewish, you should share more of that!”

How good to hear! So what happened with the edit that caused such a stir?

I honestly don’t think anyone was thinking about it. I genuinely believe it’s just the way the edit landed. There’s a chance that perhaps the mention of latkes in the context of Pesach was cut out to avoid the repetition of me talking about it two episodes in a row, and giving away the “surprise” for my chosen family tradition. Or it could have been as simple as me fumbling my words during filming, making the “Jewishness” aspect unclear, and potentially chopped out.

I honestly don’t know, but what is important is that I feel so supported in that environment that I don’t really mind, either.

We film for long days, and each episode, not even an hour of television, takes a full day to film. Usually, I’m there for about 14 hours. Not everything makes it into an edit.

More on this current climate and MasterChef:

Sofia: It is extremely unfortunate that the Jewish community, MY community, felt distress over the latke episode. But given the current climate, I also completely understand why something like that is triggering. Upsetting people is the last thing I want, and definitely not what the people who make the show want either -- MasterChef is widely loved because it’s inclusive and diverse, whether you’re looking at a Jewish, Malaysian, French, or Aussie host, or a contestant of any plethora of nationalities and religions.

Sofia, Con’t: Hopefully, anyone who was distressed by the latke episode watched the next one and felt seen. I hope that sheds some light, and I’m more than happy to answer any questions.

Agreed. Sofia, how has your Jewishness and your professional life centered around food changed in recent years, or even this year, following such horrific attacks in Australia?

Sofia: The kind of work I do around food has always been centred around the stories of the individuals and small businesses serving it. Since being on television regularly (2024 onwards), I have definitely seen a rise in antisemitic trolling. It’s not major, but it’s still entirely unacceptable. It gives me the feeling of heartbreak by a thousand cuts.

Has your Jewishness or an anti-Zionist environment been something you tiptoe around or navigate with difficulty?

Sofia: Definitely. I’m regularly shocked that otherwise smart people – and certainly plenty of stupid ones – can see the word “Jewish” and then place me neatly in a category I have no association with or belief in. Ignorance is dangerous; it breeds fear and hate. There’s a double standard at play that I know other Jewish people sometimes also feel, where instead of openly talking about the ways you feel wrongly victimised, you simply say nothing. There’s a fear that people who already label you a bully will double down. It makes me incredibly sad, because it further segregates people into distinct groups.

*What do you wish for Jewish and non-Jewish viewers of the latke clip to understand or realize?

I’m still surprised at how harshly that was received, though I shouldn’t be – viewers feel ownership over MasterChef because it’s in their living rooms and part of their lives, and that’s exactly the point.

Sofia, Con’t: I’m frustrated that this has even become a “thing” because, as a viewer, you don’t get to see the full 14-plus-hour day that goes into making an episode, plus editing time.

MasterChef isn’t in the business of silencing; it’s in the business of inclusion. As mentioned, the very next episode saw me speak at length about Passover.

I hope that all people who watch MasterChef can lead with curiosity rather than rage.

*Do you have any favorite food writing that continues to inspire you? (short story, essay, fiction, non-fiction, anything).

I subscribe to and adore Vittles on Substack. Every article and essay goes beyond food, using it as a window into culture, identity, politics, and more. I don’t think there’s anything else quite like it.

From me: (For those wishing to pitch Vittles, here is their guide, per June 15th, 2026).

What is your dream destination for food writing—a place you’ve not yet been, or the place you keep going back to, and why?

Sofia: South Korea is next on my bucket list. Someone once told me Seoul is like Tokyo with the volume turned up, and I’ve never been able to get it out of my head. I’ve planned to go twice, and it hasn’t worked out – hopefully this year! I will also always go back to Sifnos in the Greek Islands. It’s the one place in the world I truly feel relaxed.

In your words, what is “Jewish Food Writing”? What do you hope it is, or what do you hope it can grow away from?

Sofia: I’m not familiar with the term, in the same way I’ve not really heard anyone refer to “Muslim food writing” or “Indian food writing” or whatever else. It all falls under the one umbrella: food writing. I prefer to focus on what connects us, rather than what divides us. Sharing a culture, any culture, through food has immense value.

Back to me: Eep. Here’s where I kind of cringe at my own Substack name, “Jewish Food Writing”. But I love what Sofia says. Writing connects.

We do not need to be cut off from each other or segregated by our art. It’s not like I ONLY read or listen to what is Jewish, or Japanese, female, middle-aged, or American. Bahaha. Far from it.

We respond to beauty, truth, and human stories. Art. We hunger for this, across the board, across genres, and through knowing real people and their hearts. This is film. This is writing, why we even read, and learn how to strike up friendships. We do not need to be bound by politics or passports.

So while I would love for Sofia’s latke piece within the show to be framed more specifically in the show’s Facebook and such, I am also grateful for this personal connection and the reminder from Sofia to lead and write with curiosity, and not rage.

Food writing and cooking, in general, has infinite power and promise to bridge and fill in gaps. This might be part of the vision of MasterChef. And it is already bringing us together, at least here.

Much thanks to the humble latke, and to Sofia, who made hers with so much inherent skill and grace.

There is MUCH to discover through Sofia’s writing.

Here is one deeply poignant piece called, "I don't want to be Bourdain anymore.

And a lighter piece on Australia’s burger obsession, published on Sofia’s Seasoned Traveller site.

Happy Connecting.

And Sofia, thank you again.