Melissa Leong will leave MasterChef Australia.
The resignation of the popular judge is expected to be announced on Tuesday, The Australian Financial Review reported Monday.
MasterChef winner Poh Ling Yeow and Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli will take their seats in the judges’ chairs.
Food critic Sofia Levin will join as a fourth judge, alongside returning star Andy Allen.
Melissa will continue to appear on Dessert Masters, another Channel Ten cooking competition which begins in November.
Melissa Leong will leave MasterChef Australia. The popular judge’s resignation is expected to be announced on Tuesday, the Australian Financial Review reported on Monday. Pictured with Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo
A spokesperson told the publication: “Melissa Leong remains a key member of the MasterChef Australia family”
“Mélissa is expected to return for a second season of Dessert Masters in 2024, alongside fellow judge and pastry prodigy Amaury Guichon.
“Next year, MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters will air back-to-back, so each show needs its own style and personality, as well as its own unique hosting team.”
Leong said The Daily Telegraph Monday that his time on MasterChef Australia was “truly magical”.
MasterChef winner Poh Ling Yeow (pictured) will take his place in the judges’ chairs.
Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli (photo) joins the cast
Food critic Sofia Levin (pictured) will join as a fourth judge, alongside returning star Andy Allen.
“It allowed me to have life-changing experiences that gave me the courage to continue to step out of my comfort zone,” she said.
“The great honor of expanding the MasterChef Australia family with the introduction of Dessert Masters is not lost on me. I am relishing the sweet opportunity to nourish this special series alongside Amaury.
Melissa added that she welcomes the new faces to the show, “with great enthusiasm and warmth.”
“I know they will make it their own in their own way, like we did,” she said.
Melissa will continue to appear on Dessert Masters (pictured), another Channel Ten cooking competition which begins in November.
Leong said on Monday his time on MasterChef Australia was “truly magical”
Andy Allen said Monday the decision to return following the death of his co-star Jock Zonfrillo was not an easy one.
“After an extremely difficult 2023, and on reflection, the decision to return to the show is not one I have taken lightly,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
“But there is something special about cooking on MasterChef Australia, and I feel great coming back to work with the incredible production team and playing my part in seeing the contestants do what I did.”
“2024 will be the start of a new chapter, and it will be surreal – but brilliant – to share this moment with my fellow judges, Poh, Sofia and Jean-Christophe.”
Andy Allen said Monday the decision to return following the death of his co-star Jock Zonfrillo was not an easy one.
Poh Ling Yeow has called her return to the show that made her a household name as a judge an “exciting, full-circle moment”.
“MasterChef Australia is where my culinary story began, so it feels like coming home,” she said.
“A big part of me will always be on the other side with the competitors and I hope that when they look at me, they see proof that you don’t have to win to win.”
