TV chef John Torode is convinced women are better cooks than men (Picture: Getty Images)

MasterChef legend John Torode says women make better cooks than men as their food tastes ‘maternal’.

The TV chef, who puts aspiring cooks through their paces on the popular competition, was awarded an MBE this summer after being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Having seen countless aspiring chefs try their hand at impressing the judges during his almost two decades on the BBC show, John knows his food – and he thinks he knows who does it better.

The star appeared on the latest episode of the Table Manners podcast, where he revealed he thinks women are naturally better cooks than men.

Admitting he believed what he was about to say was ‘controversial,’ John nevertheless pressed on.

‘I think that women cook very, very differently from men. And their food usually tastes a lot better,’ John – who is married to fellow chef Lis Faulkner – said.

The MasterChef icon married fellow celebrity chef Lis Faulkner in 2019 (Picture: Getty Images)

John has hosted the popular competition for two decades and has seen countless aspiring chefs walk through the doors (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)

‘There’s something very loving and maternal about it. It’s true, and everybody will always return to their [childhood] home because that’s where the best food was.’

Host Jessie Ware disagreed however, saying she’s ‘really haphazard’ when she cooks and men tend to be ‘a bit more methodical.’

Co-host Lennie Ware agreed that men are ‘more confident’ and ‘cocky’ about their cooking.

Elsewhere in the interview, John – who moved to the UK from Melbourne in the 90s – joked he wasn’t very good at being Australian as he didn’t drink beer and ‘hates’ Aussie rock music.

However he’s a true Brit at this point, as he spoke of his joy at getting a note from Queen Consort Camilla when he was awarded his MBE.

John recalled how he was at home when there was a ‘little bing at the door’ and it was a letter from Buckingham palace, ‘and there was a lovely card from Highgrove estate.’

He and fellow MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace were awarded with MBEs this year for their services to food and charity (Picture: Getty Images)

The pair said they were ‘humbled’ to receive the nomination on the Queen’s Birthday List (Picture: ANL/REX/Shutterstock)

Camilla, wife of the then-Prince Charles, had sent him a ‘little personal note’ congratulating John, who is friends with her son Tom Parker-Bowles.

Both John and MasterChef co-judge Gregg Wallace were awarded MBEs for services to food and charity, with the Brtish-Australian saying he was ‘humbled and very grateful.’

‘To be put forward and recognised for services to the food industry and broadcasting which I have worked in for over 40 years is a very proud moment for me and my family.

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‘I have been fortunate enough to run and set up restaurants, been at the forefront of introducing Australasian cuisine to the UK and worked hard to make the industry the very best it can be.

‘The British public has always been amazing, what a wonderful supportive country this is, thank you, I feel like I have the best job in the world.’

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‘There’s something very loving and maternal about it.’