Duchess Meghan makes her return to TV nearly a year after the second season of her divisive Netflix lifestyle show was released.
The “Suits” alumna, 44, appeared as a guest judge in the July 26 episode of “MasterChef Australia,” filmed during the Duchess of Sussex’s four-day trip to Australia with husband Prince Harry in April.
After the “With Love, Meghan” host, who is also the founder of her As Ever lifestyle brand, strutted through the double doors to applause from the Season 18 judges, final four contestants and their eliminated colleagues. She introduced the mystery box challenge, which tasked chefs Vinnie Gibaldi, Petro Papathomas, Casper Kenworthy and Aaron Kher with picking a “hero” ingredient to spotlight in a dish that tells a story about a memory or their family.
The produce options included Australian honey, lemons, macadamia nuts, apples, Jerusalem artichokes, celeriac and quince. As she spoke about the Brussels sprouts, she commented: “My kids eat Brussels sprouts.”
Strawberries and mandarins, she added, are among the fruits she grows at home.
As judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli waited for the chefs to complete their creations, they encouraged the duchess to do the honors of relaying the 30-minute time call.
“I don’t like to yell,” Meghan explained before approaching each station and individually telling the men they had a half hour left.
Papathomas came out on top with a dish he had never attempted before: celeriac ice cream with sauteed celeriac, pickled apples and hazelnut crumb.
Duchess Meghan gives a peek at her family vacation with Prince Harry and their kids
“I can’t understand how this is so good,” Meghan declared to cheers from the past contestants on Season 18. Papathomas earned immunity and the first of three spots in the final.
The chef told Australia’s WHO Magazine that Meghan “was very kind and spoke very eloquently about food, which was lovely”.
Prince Harry crashes Duchess Meghan’s ‘MasterChef Australia’ appearance
In the midst of judging the four dishes, a member of the production team handed Meghan an iPhone that was on a FaceTime call with Prince Harry.
“G’day,” Harry, the second son of King Charles, told his wife and Levin, who was standing next to her. “What’s going on? Have I interrupted something important?”
“Hi my love,” Meghan said before introducing the royal to the chefs. “It’s amazing; they’re so talented. We wish you were here,” she added, explaining that Harry was in Canberra to meet veterans.
“I wish you could try this. These dishes are fantastic,” she continued, panning to Kher’s dish.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Duchess Meghan makes TV return. Inside her ‘MasterChef Australia’ debut
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