Melissa Leong’s new career move with Claudia Karvan has been revealed amid rumors she could return to MasterChef Australia.
The food critic, 42, will appear on screen in a new documentary alongside the Australian actress, 52, moving away from her experience in the kitchen.
The duo will take part in the new SBS series Great Australian Road Trips alongside comedians Steph Tisdell and Nazeem Hussain.
Inspired by the hit 2023 series Great Australian Walks, Claudia and Steph will team up in one car with Melissa and Nazeem in another vehicle to reveal untold Australian stories.
The group will travel across Australia to learn about the nation’s hidden history and unknown connections, one stop at a time.
Also appearing in the series will be actress Rachel Griffiths, theater star Jacki Weaver and TV host Marc Fennell, among many others.
The news was revealed at SBS’s 2025 Upfronts event on Wednesday, which detailed the channel’s programming schedule for 2025, which is also SBS’s 50th anniversary.
Melissa and Claudia attended the event and looked as glamorous as ever as they stepped out to celebrate their exciting new project.
Melissa Leong’s new career move with Claudia Karvan has been revealed amid rumors she could return to MasterChef Australia
The food critic, 42, will appear on screen in a new documentary alongside the Australian actress, 52, and Rachel Griffiths (all pictured), moving away from her experience in the kitchen.
Dessert Masters judge Melissa oozes sophistication in a vibrant red dress with long sleeves and a pleated skirt, which she paired with black peep-toe sandals.
She accessorized with an array of silver jewelry and accessorized her chic ensemble with a swipe of deep red lipstick.
Meanwhile, Bump creator Claudia looked equally chic in a plum wrap dress with a daring slit that showed off her toned legs.
She added some extra height to her figure with a pair of gold heels and accessorized them with a delicate silver necklace and hoop earrings.
They were also joined by their documentary co-star Rachel, who cut a stylish figure in a black suit and printed t-shirt.
He appeared to have injured his wrist as he was wearing a black splint on one arm during the outing.
Melissa’s exciting new TV project comes amid rumors she could be preparing a return to MasterChef Australia.
Melissa left MasterChef Australia last year under a cloud of suspicion over an alleged dispute with her former co-host Andy Allen, who still serves as a judge.
The news was revealed at SBS’s 2025 Upfronts event on Wednesday, which revealed the channel’s programming schedule for 2025, which is also SBS’s 50th anniversary.
Attending the glitzy event to celebrate her new project, Dessert Masters judge Melissa oozes sophistication in a vibrant red dress with long sleeves and a pleated skirt.
Meanwhile, Bump creator Claudia looked equally chic in a plum wrap dress with a daring slit that showed off her toned legs.
She added some extra height to her figure with a pair of gold heels and accessorized them with a delicate silver necklace and hoop earrings.
“Melissa told Ten she will return to MasterChef Australia when Andy Allen leaves,” a TV source told Daily Mail Australia.
“I think the idea of returning to what the show once was for her seems a little daunting and the only way Melissa would come back is if the entire format was revamped.”
Melissa surprised fans when she shared the news of her departure on Instagram a day before Network Ten’s 2024 Upfronts.
“The changing of the guard is something I always planned to accept, and I am very happy to do so today on my terms,” she wrote in a statement last October.
Melissa’s departure came after it was claimed she had been fired following a series of publicized off-camera drama.
In 2022, she infamously had a breakup with the show’s hair and makeup team along with a substitute freelance stylist.
“Andy has no problems with Leong,” the source told Daily Mail Australia. But she previously expressed that her former colleague wasted a lot of time doing her hair and makeup.
“He felt that his perfectionism compromised his control over what was filmed.”
Andy returned to the show this year alongside three new judges: media darling Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and Melbourne food critic Sofia Levin.
Melissa has since taken on a new role on MasterChef spin-off show Dessert Masters, as a co-judge alongside French-Swiss pastry chef Amaury Guichon.
They were also joined by their documentary co-star Rachel, who cut a stylish figure in a black suit and printed t-shirt.
He appeared to have injured his wrist as he was wearing a black splint on one arm during the excursion.
Melissa’s exciting new TV project comes amid rumors she could be planning a return to MasterChef Australia following allegations of a ‘feud’ with her former co-judge Andy Allen.
In the first season of Dessert Masters, a group of bakers competed for a $100,000 prize and provided a ratings boost for the network in the highly competitive reality TV market.
The premiere episode had 451,000 Australians tuning in across major cities and viewers praised the TV veteran’s role on the show.
Word inside Ten is that Dessert Masters will return in 2025, but the network has bought itself some time by delaying a formal announcement until after the second season has aired.
“Last year, there was a huge appetite for the debut of Dessert Masters,” a Ten spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
“In 2024, we will be happy to serve a second helping.”