The evolution of Poh Ling Yeow from Painter to Masterchef

How a shy Mormon girl named Sharon became Poh Ling Yeow. Sharon Ling Yeow grew up in Malaysia, and moved to Adelaide with her parents at the age of 9.

She was a shy child, who loved to paint and draw, but found school and socialising overwhelming.

At home, her Aunty Kim taught her how to cook Malaysian food, and her mum taught her how to bake.

At 16, Sharon joined the Mormon Church, where she met her first husband, Matt.

Shortly after they were married, the couple left the church. Matt then encouraged Sharon to take the name Poh, which she'd been given at birth but never used.

The couple's marriage didn't last, but their friendship did. Poh had a flourishing career as a painter when she decided to enter a new TV cooking show, Masterchef.

In 2009, Poh was named runner-up in the final of the show. She met a man named Jono on the set, and later the two were married.

Since then, Poh has continued to paint, and she's opened a cafe called Jamface with Jono, Matt and her best friend Sarah.

Further information

Poh Bakes 100 Greats was published by Murdoch Books in November 2017

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