My Kitchen Rules fans have been left stunned by Nigella Lawson — and not just the star power, charisma and expertise she brings to the show.
The British chef has left viewers gobsmacked over her age.
It seems Lawson, who published her first cookbook in 1998 before breaking into TV with Nigella Bites in 1999, has a timeless beauty.
Because believe it or not, she is 62.
Lawson puts her youthful look down to staying out of the sun and eating “lots of fats.”
“I think what ages a face most is disappointment and a lack of enjoyment,” she said.
“So I try to do what I love.”
Lawson’s timeless look has left fans of Channel 7’s reality TV cooking show speechless.
“Look at her neck, not a single wrinkle — I’m telling you, forget what ppl tell you, endulge in butter and cream and sweets, and chocolate and lush velvety rich sauces — and live and look like #QueenNigella#MKR,” one wrote.
Another said: “Can someone explain to me how Nigella Lawson can look so stunning ALL THE TIME?
“She 62yo and looks 42. What kind of witchcraft is she performing!”
Yet another said: “If I don’t age like Nigella Lawson, I don’t want to get old at all.”
Since her first appearance on MKR on Sunday night, viewers have flocked to social media to dub her the “vital ingredient”.
After the exit of long-term judge Pete Evans, whose reputation took a tumble after his peddling of anti-vaxer conspiracy theories on social media, Manu Feildel has been paired with the British domestic goddess.
Their first episode saw them head to Victoria to taste the dishes of father-daughter duo Peter and Alice, and Lawson was clearly the star of the show, with the contestants even joking about giving her used cutlery to their family as gifts.
But when things fell apart in the kitchen, viewers really warmed to Lawson when she offered encouraging words.
“Nigella is the vital ingredient this show has been missing,” Twitter user Archie Banez wrote.
“Not only is she a bona fide food-lover & relatable to all us home cooks but it’s her personable nature, positive energy, insightfulness & unique way with words that makes her so endearing.”
Viewers also remarked on Lawson’s warm demeanour, while others said her presence encouraged them to tune in after not watching the show for years.
And she even won over the critics.
TV Writer Colin Vickery described Lawson as a “hoot” and “funnier and cheekier than on MasterChef”.
During the episode, Lawson showed her down-to-earth nature, ditching the cutlery to chomp at a lamb cutlet.
And while Peter and Alice’s home restaurant faced plenty of hurdles—and even a watery dessert fail—Lawson still tried to keep spirits high.
On Tuesday, Lawson took to Twitter to reply to some of the comments, saying that she was gutted for Peter and Alice.
“I was heartbroken for them. And hated the idea they would feel ashamed in any way,” she posted.
“We’ve all messed up in the kitchen — and beyond! —and none of us wants to be judged on our worst moments. And those lamb chops were divine!”
After a two-year hiatus, the return of MKR attracted 502,000 viewers across the country.
Channel Seven has been focusing on bringing the series back to its home cooking roots after it took a back seat to manufactured drama in previous seasons, previously saying this season would be about “real food and real people” — and audiences seem to be embracing the change.
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