Jean-Christophe Novelli Facts: Celebrity Chef Profile

Jean-Christophe Novelli is a French chef, restaurateur, and television personality. In October 2023, it was announced that the celebrity chef would become one of the new judges on MasterChef Australia. Although Novelli is relatively famous in Europe, there are some locations where he is less well-known. Regardless of where you live, you might find reading some Jean-Christophe Novelli facts interesting. So, what facts about Jean-Christophe Novelli should you know to learn more about the French Chef? Here are some fun Jean-Christophe Novelli facts to help you get to know the celebrity chef better.

Jean-Christophe Novelli Facts: His Early and Personal Life

Where Was Jean-Christophe Novelli Born?

Novelli was born on 22 February 1961 in Arras, a town in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. He left school at just 14 and began his culinary career working in a bakery.

When Did Jean-Christophe Novelli Move to the UK?

The celebrity chef moved to the UK in 1983 when he was 22 to continue his culinary career. He moved around the south of England, working in various establishments in Hampshire, Devon, and London.

Where Does the Chef Live Now?

Since 2005, Jean-Christophe Novelli has lived in a 14th-century farmhouse in Hertfordshire. Since moving into the historic property, the chef and his partner have made it their own. They have retained some of the farmhouse’s historic features but have also added some modern touches. For example, the kitchen has a traditional slate floor, but the couple has added top-of-the-range kitchen appliances. They have also added a small swimming pool in the rear garden.

Is Jean-Christophe Novelli Married?

Novelli has been married twice. His first wife, Tina, was of English descent. His second wife, model Anzelle Visser, was from South Africa. He met her while she was working at Maison Novelli. Visser and Novelli divorced in 2005. Around the time of his divorce, Jean-Christophe Novelli met Michelle Kennedy, and the couple became engaged in 2007. However, the couple have never married.

Does Jean-Christophe Novelli Have Children?

Jean-Christophe Novelli has four children: one daughter and three sons. His daughter, Christina, is from his first marriage, and she was born in 1986. With his long-term partner Michelle Kennedy, Novelli has three sons. Their first son, Jean, was born in Los Angeles in 2008. They then had a second son, Jacques, in 2012 in Austria. Their youngest son, Valentino, was born in 2016. Sadly, he was born with stage 4 neuroblastoma, so he faced a tough battle against cancer. It was then discovered he had a rare genetic condition called 15q. Furthermore, he was diagnosed with autism in 2019.

Facts About Jean-Christophe Novelli: His Culinary Career

Where Did Jean-Christophe Novelli Train?

Novelli’s first step into the food industry was working in a bakery when he left school at 14. When he was 20, Novelli began working for the famous Rothschild family as a personal chef.

Has the Chef Published Any Books?

Novelli has written just one cookbook: the 2013 recipe book Simply Novelli. The aim of the book is to dispel the myth that French cookery is complicated and to affirm that French cuisine is something that everyone can try to create.

When Did Jean-Christophe Novelli Open His First Restaurant?

After working in multiple notable establishments, Novelli decided to open his first restaurant, Maison Novelli, in 1996. It is in Clerkenwell, London. He then opened other locations in South Africa and France. Novelli then expanded his interests into the gastropub market and opened a restaurant at The White Horse in Harpenden. He also launched brasserie-style concepts in Double Tree Hilton Hotels, but by mutual decision, the brand was withdrawn in 2016.

What Are Novelli’s Current Restaurants?

The Novelli Restaurant Limited brand was launched in 2016, and it consisted of three offerings: brasseries called Jean-Christophe Novelli, bistro-style restaurants called Bistro ’61 by Jean Christophe Novelli, and a short menu concept restaurant called Rapido by JCN. Novelli also launched Novelli at City Quays, AC Marriot in 2018 in a Marriott Hotel in Belfast. The celebrity chef also runs the Novelli Academy Cookery School from his Hertfordshire home.

Jean-Christophe Novelli Facts: His Television Appearances

When Did Jean-Christophe Novelli First Appear on Television?

Novelli’s first television appearance was in 2003 when he was a contestant in the reality sporting competition The Games.

Jean-Christophe Novelli: His Other Television Appearances

Since appearing in The Games, Novelli has appeared in multiple television series. He was part of a team competing in The X Factor: Battle of the Stars in 2006. His teammates were Ross Burden, Paul Rankin, and Aldo Zilli. Other television appearances include:

• Hell’s Kitchen: Along with Gary Rhodes, Novelli was one of the head chefs in the second series in 2005.
• Family Fortunes
• The Apprentice: You’re Fired! In 2007
• Master Spud: A 2010 televised competition with the prize of appearing alongside Novelli in a TV advert.
• This Morning and Loose Women: Both in 2014
• Britain’s Got More Talent and A Question of Sport in 2015
• Countryfile in 2016
• Culinary Genius: A judge for week four in 2017
• Celebrity Hunted: He partnered with fellow chef Aldo Zilli and won the third season of the competition in 2019. Novelli was raising money for a children’s cancer charity and visited his son in hospital while on the run.
• Steph’s Packed Lunch, Jeremy Vine on 5, and Simply Raymond Blanc in 2021.

Jean Christophe Novelli’s Cooking Shows

Novelli had his own cooking series in 2009. Chef Academy saw Novelli training nine aspiring chefs. It ran for ten episodes on Bravo TV in the United States. He also presents cooking demonstrations across the globe at international food events.

Is Jean Christophe Novelli a MasterChef Australia Judge

You may have heard that there is a new lineup of judges for MasterChef Australia 2024. The shake-up comes following the death of former judge Jock Zonfrillo, who died in 2023. Melissa Leong has also left the cooking competition, leaving only Andy Allen from 2023’s lineup. Sofia Levin and Poh Ling Yeow complete the lineup alongside Allen and Novelli. Originally, the judges were George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan, and Matt Preston.

Other Facts About Jean-Christophe Novelli

What Is Jean-Christophe Novelli’s Net Worth?

One of the Jean-Christophe Novelli facts his fans want to know is about his net worth. Jean-Christophe Novelli’s net worth estimates vary from $4 million to $17 million. Although his exact net worth is unknown, he is a successful millionaire.

Has the Chef Won Any Awards?

Novelli was awarded four consecutive Michelin stars and is a 5/5 AA Rosette chef. In 2007, the University of Bedfordshire awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Arts. Novelli was awarded an honorary MBE in March 2021 for his voluntary and charitable work.

Did you enjoy reading our Jean-Christophe Novelli facts?