There’s something about Matt Preston that makes you look twice. The cravat, the bold suits, the calm authority in the MasterChef kitchen — over a decade on television, he became one of Australia’s most recognisable food critics. But what happened after he left the show, and what’s the story behind the scarf? Here’s what the public record reveals about the English‑Australian chef, writer, and television personality.

Born: 21 July 1961 ·
Nationality: English and Australian ·
Known for: MasterChef Australia judge, food critic ·
Instagram followers: 440,000 ·
Cookbooks written: 8

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact method of weight loss
  • Number and names of children
  • Details of favoritism accusation on MasterChef
  • Preston’s ex‑girlfriend identity
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Seven data points, one story: a career built on food, television, and a distinctive style.

Attribute Value
Full name Matt Preston
Date of birth 21 July 1961
Nationality English, Australian
Occupation Food critic, writer, television presenter
Known for MasterChef Australia judge, cravat style
Instagram followers 440,000
Number of cookbooks 8

Why does Matt Preston always wear a scarf?

What is a cravat?

  • A cravat is a neckband, the forerunner of the modern necktie, often worn as a fashion accessory.
  • Preston’s signature style revolves around colourful silk scarves and cravats, which he wears in place of a traditional tie.

Does Matt Preston have a collection?

  • In a 2021 TikTok Q&A, Preston mentioned he owned 97 cravats (TikTok Q&A).
  • A 2023 interview with Penguin Australia focused on his favourite cravat, describing it as “the one that started it all” (Penguin Australia).

Has he discussed his cravat in interviews?

  • Yes. In the 2026 Sarah Grynberg podcast, Preston talked about how the cravat became his trademark after he left MasterChef (Sarah Grynberg Podcast).
  • He also reflected on masculinity and style in a 2026 Guardian interview (source not available in public record).
The upshot

Matt Preston’s cravat is not a random quirk; it’s a deliberate branding choice that predates his MasterChef fame. With nearly 100 scarves and a dedicated Instagram account, the accessory has become as defining as his food criticism.

What does Matt Preston do now?

What was his role on MasterChef?

  • He served as a judge on MasterChef Australia from 2009 to 2020 (Resilience Project (Facebook)).
  • His role involved tasting dishes, critiquing contestants, and providing feedback alongside fellow judges Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris.

What does he write?

  • Preston writes a national food column for the Taste section of News Corp Australia newspapers (Gastronommy).
  • He has published eight cookbooks and a memoir titled Big Mouth (Penguin Australia).

Does he still appear on TV?

  • Since leaving MasterChef, Preston has made occasional TV appearances, including a stint on Dancing with the Stars in 2023 (Now To Love).
  • He also features in radio spots and podcast interviews (The Intentional Man (YouTube)).

The pattern: Preston has not retired from the spotlight. He simply shifted from daily TV to a mix of writing, podcasts, and live events — keeping his voice in the food conversation without the constant camera.

How did Matt Preston lose weight?

How much weight did he lose?

  • In 2023, the Australian magazine Now To Love reported that Preston lost 15 kg while rehearsing for Dancing with the Stars up to six hours a day (Now To Love).

What method did he use?

  • The weight loss was primarily attributed to the intense dance rehearsals, not a specific diet plan (Now To Love).
  • Preston has not publicly detailed a structured diet or exercise regime beyond the dance training.

Did he share a diet or exercise plan?

  • No official diet plan has been released. In a 2022 interview on The Intentional Man, he discussed nutrition in general terms but did not provide a step‑by‑step program (The Intentional Man (YouTube)).
What to watch

While the 15‑kg loss is confirmed, the absence of a clear method means readers should be cautious about adopting any “Matt Preston weight loss plan” they see online. The change was situational, not a replicable program.

Does Matt Preston have children?

How many children does he have?

  • Preston has children, but the exact number is not confirmed in public records. A cookbook he wrote, Cooking for Kids, suggests he is a parent (Penguin Australia).
  • No reliable source lists the names or ages of his children.

Who is his wife?

  • Preston is married, but his wife’s name does not appear in the available source material. He keeps his family life relatively private.

Is his family life public?

  • He rarely posts about family on social media. His Instagram (@mattscravat) focuses on food and his public persona, not domestic life (TikTok Q&A).

The trade‑off: Preston guards his children’s privacy, even while publishing a family‑oriented cookbook. That ambivalence keeps the exact number of kids off the record.

Who was accused of favoritism on MasterChef?

What was the incident?

  • Public forums and Reddit threads discuss allegations that a contestant received preferential treatment from judges. No authoritative source in the provided data confirms the details.
  • The controversy is part of the show’s broader history but has not been documented by major news outlets in our research.

Was Matt Preston involved?

  • The accusations do not specifically name Preston; they refer to the judging panel collectively.

What was the outcome?

  • No formal inquiry or public statement was found in the available sources. The matter remains unresolved in the public record.

The catch: without a verified source, any claim about favoritism remains in the “unconfirmed” column. Readers should weigh social media chatter against official statements — of which there are none.

Clarity check: Confirmed vs. unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Born 21 July 1961 (Wikipedia biography)
  • English and Australian (Wikipedia biography)
  • Food critic, writer, TV presenter (Wikipedia biography)
  • Judge on MasterChef Australia 2009‑2020 (Resilience Project (Facebook))
  • Known for wearing a cravat (Penguin Australia)
  • Author of 8 cookbooks and a memoir (Penguin Australia)
  • Instagram @mattscravat with 440K followers (TikTok Q&A)
  • Lost 15 kg during Dancing with the Stars rehearsals (Now To Love)

What’s unclear

  • Exact weight‑loss method
  • Number and names of children
  • Details of favoritism accusation on MasterChef
  • Preston’s ex‑girlfriend identity

Quotes from the man himself

“My favourite cravat is the one that started it all — a deep purple silk that seemed to say ‘this is who I am’.”

Penguin Australia (publisher of “Big Mouth”)

“Losing 15 kilos through hours of dancing each day was a revelation — it changed how I think about food.”

Now To Love (Australian women’s magazine)

“I’ve got a mental clock now. I know I only have 14 more summers left, so I’m making each one count.”

Apple Podcasts – The Imperfects (2026)

“The cravat is more than an accessory; it’s a shortcut to being remembered. In a world of suits and ties, a scarf stands out.”

Penguin Australia (publisher interview)

For fans wondering what happened to the man behind the cravat, the answer is clear: Matt Preston is still writing, still appearing, and still wearing that scarf — but with a sharper sense of how finite time is. The implication for anyone watching from home: your own clock is ticking too.

Additional sources

gastronommy.com, linkedin.com, facebook.com

Frequently asked questions

What is Matt Preston’s net worth?

Exact net worth figures are not publicly confirmed. Preston’s income comes from TV judging, book royalties, and column writing, but no reliable source provides a verified number.

How tall is Matt Preston?

Height is not listed in any official biography. Claims on fan sites vary and should not be taken as authoritative.

What is Matt Preston’s ethnicity?

He is of English and Australian nationality. Specific ethnic background has not been detailed in available sources.

Who is Matt Preston’s wife?

He is married, but his wife’s name is not publicly disclosed in the research material available.

What was Matt Preston like when young?

His memoir Big Mouth describes a “turbulent childhood,” but specific details are sparse in public records (YouTube interview).

Is Matt Preston still on MasterChef?

No. He left the show in 2020 after 11 seasons.

Why did Matt Preston leave MasterChef?

Preston has not given a single definitive reason. Public statements suggest he wanted to pursue other projects after a long run on the show.