Since the series – the largest ever commissioned by SBS – launched in 2021 with an initial 200 episodes, the famous and the little known, the culinarily gifted and the humblest of home cooks have joined Liaw to share recipes from the heart. There is no formula for pairing guests – one or none might be from the food industry. But there is one rule for professionals.

“To the chefs we say, specifically, ‘Don’t cook me something that’s on the menu in your restaurant. Cook things that you would make when you have the night off’,” says Liaw. “There’s a difference between the way that people cook in restaurants and the way people cook at home. It’s not that one’s better than the other. We just try to show people how good home cooking can be.”

Among this season’s biggest non-foodie names are actor Rachel Ward, musician Clare Bowditch, garden designer Jamie Durie and British health presenter Dr Michael Mosley.

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“Michael Mosley approaches The Cook Up like he approaches his shows, in a very scientific way,” says Liaw. “The episode we filmed with him was all around sleep, and sleep is something that I struggle with. So I was picking his brain the whole time, like I do with all my guests, trying to work out how I can sleep better and sort out the fact from the fiction. It’s really about eating healthily and making sure the portions aren’t going to keep you up all night.”

Inundated by requests from people wanting to be on the show, The Cook Up is not about to run out of talent any time soon. But while guest spots are limited, Liaw cannot name a public figure he would flatly refuse.

“We take all kinds of cooker!” he says, laughing. “As long as you like cooking and you enjoy eating, there’s always a place for you on The Cook Up. You’d be surprised how many people have had a secret desire their whole lives to be on a cooking show.”

The Cook Up with Adam Liaw returns at 7pm on Monday, February 26, on SBS Food.

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