Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • streaming
  • Video
Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • streaming
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. TV

Meet My Kitchen Rules Season 10's Ibby and Romel

These boys are set to add some fire into this year's competition! - by Clare Rigden
  • 23 Jan 2019

Good friends Ibby and Romel come to MKR with one massive advantage - Ibby runs several cafes and restaurants in Sydney - but neither of them are about to let THAT little nugget of information slip to their fellow contestants.

WATCH: INTRODUCING MY KITCHEN RULES' PERFECT STRANGERS

Meet My Kitchen Rules Season 10's Ibby and Romel
Channel 7

“My biggest strength is my experience in hospitality and the fact that I operate cafes and restaurants,” says Ibby, 30.  I have a great palate and I know how kitchens run during busy services and I will be using this knowledge through the competition.”

Ibby and Romel, who met seven years ago, hope to showcase their Lebanese and Middle Eastern Backgrounds through their cooking.

“With our Persian and Lebanese backgrounds, we can come up with some very cool menus,” says Ibby.

Romy admits he’s keen to bring a bit of spice to the competition. More outgoing than Ibby, he’s not shy of mugging for the cameras and getting feisty when required.

“Confrontation has never been something I have shied away from,” says Romel, 42, who runs his own modeling and talent agency. “I am not afraid to speak my mind and put people in check should I feel they are overstepping the line.”

Things could get interesting - Ibby admits he’d never watched an episode of MKR before signing up - it was entirely Romel’s idea to apply!

“My family told me I was crazy,” Ibby says. “They encouraged me to watch a couple of episodes so I knew what I was getting myself into, but I just didn’t have the time before I left for the show...

“I watched an episode or two [the night before leaving]. My family was right – I had no idea what I was getting myself into!” he admits. “Watching the show made me more nervous than anything, so I haven’t watched anything since.

“I’ve decided to go into it pretty much blind and to take it as it comes and just be myself. It’s more of an adventure that way anyway.”

romelkouyan View Profile
71 likes - View Post on Instagram
Thank you for having us @channel7 Melbourne. #MKR #TeamIbbyRomel

Romel, by contrast, is a big fan of the series, and has watched it every year since season one.

“I wouldn’t compare myself to any other contestant at all. I don’t believe MKR has had a contestant like myself in the past seasons,” he admits.

No stranger to “the limelight”, Romel has appeared on The Morning Show, spruiking a service he once offered through his business, that allowed normal people pay to be treated like a celebrity for a day.

“Everyday people would call our agency and hire paparazzi photographers to follow them, calling their names and vying for their attention as they either went out for dinner, a hen’s night, or a day out shopping,” he explains.

Romel clearly identifies with the concept.

“I also love being the centre of attention and dressing in clothes that stand out,” he says. “I find blending in to be bland and boring.”

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • TV
  • My Kitchen Rules
  • Reality TV
Clare Rigden
Clare Rigden
Clare Rigden is a freelance journalist, based in Melbourne. When she's not writing for WHO magazine, she can be found roaming the globe with her partner and 4 year-old son, a seasoned traveller who loves nothing more than popping on his yellow ‘bee backpack’ and hitting the road with mum.

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who magazine

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who magazine

Recommended to you

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

MKR: Ibby and Romel are accused of cheating during their Instant Restaurant round

MKR: Ibby and Romel are accused of cheating during their Instant Restaurant round

My Kitchen Rules 2019: Who is Pete Evans?

My Kitchen Rules 2019: Who is Pete Evans?

Meet My Kitchen Rules Season 10's Josh and Austin

Meet My Kitchen Rules Season 10's Josh and Austin

MKR villains Josh and Austin's secret EXPOSED

MKR villains Josh and Austin's secret EXPOSED

{headline}

{headline}

My Kitchen Rules stars Veronica and Piper’s shock outburst after striving for perfection

My Kitchen Rules stars Veronica and Piper’s shock outburst after striving for perfection

Amanda Proud reveals what Josh and Austin’s house was really like

Amanda Proud reveals what Josh and Austin’s house was really like

MKR: Josh and Austin confirm the truth about their Instant Restaurant

MKR: Josh and Austin confirm the truth about their Instant Restaurant

{headline}

{headline}

My Kitchen Rules 2019: Who is Colin Fassnidge?

My Kitchen Rules 2019: Who is Colin Fassnidge?

My Kitchen Rules' Sonya and Hadil open up about their shock exit from the competition

My Kitchen Rules' Sonya and Hadil open up about their shock exit from the competition

MKR'S LYN VS KAROLINA: What really happened with the 'TRANS' debacle 

MKR'S LYN VS KAROLINA: What really happened with the 'TRANS' debacle 

My Kitchen Rules star Hadil Faiza posts an explosive rant in support of grand final runner up team Kim and Suong

My Kitchen Rules star Hadil Faiza posts an explosive rant in support of grand final runner up team Kim and Suong

Lesley from MKR has the sweetest engagement story

Lesley from MKR has the sweetest engagement story

These are all the MKR stars’ doppelgängers

These are all the MKR stars’ doppelgängers

Pete Evans shares butt naked photo on Instagram

Pete Evans shares butt naked photo on Instagram

Who
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy
Who Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • marie claire
  • Bounty Parents

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Who

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Who magazine