MasterChef 2023 winner Chariya Khattiyot will be appearing with Alton actors and presenters Luke Bateman and Elliott Williams in their comedy-entertainment podcast You Have Been Watching...with Luke & Elliott on Monday.

Chariya, who owns and runs the Coffee Cherry coffee shop in Alton High Street, recorded the episode in top secret at Alton Town Hall late last year. Once released it will be available for online streaming forever.

Describing the format of the show, Luke and Elliott said: “It’s often described as the love child of existing audio formats Off Menu and Desert Island Discs.

“It sees a different celebrity guest each week do the equivalent of spending a weekend away holed up in a Travelodge room in Preston, where all they can do all day is sit and watch television. They’re asked for four of their favourite ever TV shows, plus a companion and an unlimited snack choice!” 

In the episode, Chariya finally spills some MasterChef secrets – how John and Gregg behave behind the scenes, her professional envy for Monica Galetti, the lacklustre catering on lunch breaks – as well as the inspiration behind some of her wackier ideas on the show, such as the pink noodles, the anchovy rice sponge, the chicken breast blancmange and the wasabi white chocolate cake.  

Luke and Elliott take her on truly mad tangents in what they describe as “hands down the most laughs in an episode of this show we’ve ever had”.

The trio talk street markets, biscuity tweels, robotic cats with big pockets, three-hour long comedy routines and the worst swear word Gordon Ramsay has ever uttered.

And there’s even time for her to look back on her childhood with glee and reveal her next big culinary project.

Luke and Elliott actually cook for her, creating a unique batch of chocolate cornflake cakes each for her to judge, with hilarious and disgusting consequences. The episode is a bonkers and chaotic must-listen for fans of TV, MasterChef, cooking and Chariya. 

You Have Been Watching...with Luke & Elliott has become a podcast sensation since its inception back in 2020. Created and hosted by best friends, TV fanatics and born-and-bred Altonians Luke Bateman and Elliott Williams, the podcast has gone from strength to strength.

The show has broadcast 38 episodes to date across three series, has been nominated for Listener’s Choice at The British Podcast Awards, and is listened to in 48 countries worldwide.

Previous guests include legendary football commentator Clive Tyldesley, YouTuber Max Fosh, Hollywood actress Alexa Davies (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Detectorists, White House Farm), former education secretary Damian Hinds, British actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe (Ghosts, Stath Lets Flats, Taskmaster) and comedians Ria Lina, Paul Foot and Josh Jones to name a few.

All of the previous episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and any other podcast platform. 

Luke, Elliott and Chariya are also developing a television show together, where Chariya teaches Luke and Elliott about the world of Thai food for the first time!