Ah, MasterChef—the show that provides us with a weekly dose of culinary delights. (Sometimes, a bit of drama too!)

And most recently, all eyes have been on food critic Melissa Leong, who had been co-hosting MasterChef Australia alongside Andy Allen and the late Jock Zonfrillo since 2020.

Leong joined the show following the abrupt exit of former hosts Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan, and George Calombaris.

And just recently, news broke that Melissa would not be returning as a co-host for season 16, which sparked confusion about her sudden exit.

Melissa Leong will no longer return as co-host for MasterChef Australia’s season 16. Image source: Instagram/@fooderati.

Leong, however, set the record straight saying: 'I get that there is going to be a bit of confusion and chaos about the “why” of it all right now.'

'I'm here and happy to clear that up because negative tropes draped around women who achieve something is boring, and frankly, we are all better than that.'

'This is a shift I embrace with joy. One that allows everyone involved, to expand.'

'To put it plainly, I’m very fortunate to continue to be a key part of [MasterChef], yet have the space to evolve my career.'

'In effect, I get to have my cake and eat it too…and what could be better than that?!'

You can read her full post below:

Source: Instagram/@fooderati.

The food critic thanked the network for its continued support and revealed that, while she wasn’t 'axed' as reported, she was instead 'stepping away' from the main show on her own terms.

'My time as co-host and judge on MasterChef Australia has been a great gift,' she wrote alongside a promo photo of Dessert Masters Australia.

'To have been given the opportunity to learn and grow—and now to be given the vote of confidence to expand and evolve the MasterChef universe is huge!'

Leong will be co-hosting the show’s second season with pastry chef Amaury Guichon.

'Stepping away from the main show and into Dessert Masters Australia alongside the extraordinary Amaury Guichon is yet another sweet present indeed.'

She finished her statement with a shoutout to her co-host Andy Allen, before expressing her gratitude for the fans’ 'support' and looking ahead to her new show, Dessert Masters Australia.

Leong will be replaced by 2009 MasterChef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow and Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and will appear alongside returning host Andy Allen and food critic Sofia Levin.

'It is with great warmth and enthusiasm that I wish this new line-up of judges and hosts all the best in making it theirs, and big love to Andy Allen for leading the way,' she added.

'The changing of the guard is one I always planned to embrace, and I’m so glad to do that, on my terms, today.'

'My gratitude to our audience for all your support, can’t wait for you to see the new show. Love and respect always.'

Channel 10 has also released a statement regarding the food critic’s departure. The network insisted that Leong will remain a member of the MasterChef family.

'Melissa Leong remains a key member of the MasterChef Australia family. Melissa is set to return for a second season of Dessert Masters in 2024, alongside fellow judge and pastry prodigy Amaury Guichon,' they said.

'Next year, MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters will air back-to-back. Therefore, each show needs its own distinct style and personality and its own unique hosting team.'

You can read Melissa’s full post below:

Source: Instagram/@fooderati.​

Key Takeaways

• Melissa Leong has addressed the confusion around her sudden exit from MasterChef Australia, clarifying that she was not axed but chose to step away of her own accord.
  
• Leong will co-host Ten's food program, Dessert Masters Australia, and indicated that her departure from MasterChef was a career evolution move.
  
• The new MasterChef Australia judging panel will include 2009 MasterChef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow and Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, alongside returning host Andy Allen and food critic Sofia Levin.
  
• Channel 10 maintained that 'Melissa remains a key member of the MasterChef Australia family' and that she will return for a second season of Dessert Masters in 2024.
  

Members, do you watch MasterChef Australia? Which episode or dish is your favourite? Share them with us in the comments below!

 

[Gaena]

Master Chef is the only "Reality"show that we watch,have always enjoyed it whether we cook the dishes or not we get some great ideas and pick up some usefull hints, in fact we will watch any of the cooking shows but we would not be caught dead watching other so called "Reality"shows like The Bachalor, Farmer wants a wife or I'm a Celebrity and the amazing race to name some of the drivel on offer

 

[Littleboy8]

Master Chef is the only "Reality"show that we watch,have always enjoyed it whether we cook the dishes or not we get some great ideas and pick up some usefull hints, in fact we will watch any of the cooking shows but we would not be caught dead watching other so called "Reality"shows like The Bachalor, Farmer wants a wife or I'm a Celebrity and the amazing race to name some of the drivel on offer

Love your thinking I’m a huge fan of cooking shows also. Hate reality crap like B.B. and mafs and shock horror love islands coming back

 

[Veggiepatch]

What constitutes a "food critic"? Anybody can do it.

 

[IAN3005]

Yawn!!!! who would be bothered with that cr**. Don't have a TV in the house..... haven't had of for over 20 years.
I refuse to be brainwashed....

 

[Littleboy8]

Yawn!!!! who would be bothered with that cr**. Don't have a TV in the house..... haven't had of for over 20 years.
I refuse to be brainwashed....

Reallygotta admire you for that

 

[Veggiepatch]

Yawn!!!! who would be bothered with that cr**. Don't have a TV in the house..... haven't had of for over 20 years.
I refuse to be brainwashed....

Honestly, you're not missing much.

 

[Petra]

YAY .... I like Poh

 

[Veggiepatch]

YAY .... I like Poh

View attachment 33063

Totally agree. She appears to be down to earth and without a pretentious bone in her body.

 

[Littleboy8]

Totally agree. She appears to be down to earth and without a pretentious bone in her body.

And I love her big toothy smile and who doesn’t love her Scotty dogs and spunky hubbyoh yeah and almost forgot her cookingsilly me

 

[Barbara V]

Never watch food shows boring

Ah, MasterChef—the show that provides us with a weekly dose of culinary delights. (Sometimes, a bit of drama too!)

And most recently, all eyes have been on food critic Melissa Leong, who had been co-hosting MasterChef Australia alongside Andy Allen and the late Jock Zonfrillo since 2020.

Leong joined the show following the abrupt exit of former hosts Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan, and George Calombaris.

And just recently, news broke that Melissa would not be returning as a co-host for season 16, which sparked confusion about her sudden exit.

View attachment 32994

Melissa Leong will no longer return as co-host for MasterChef Australia’s season 16. Image source: Instagram/@fooderati.

Leong, however, set the record straight saying: 'I get that there is going to be a bit of confusion and chaos about the “why” of it all right now.'

'I'm here and happy to clear that up because negative tropes draped around women who achieve something is boring, and frankly, we are all better than that.'

'This is a shift I embrace with joy. One that allows everyone involved, to expand.'

'To put it plainly, I’m very fortunate to continue to be a key part of [MasterChef], yet have the space to evolve my career.'

'In effect, I get to have my cake and eat it too…and what could be better than that?!'

You can read her full post below:

Source: Instagram/@fooderati.

The food critic thanked the network for its continued support and revealed that, while she wasn’t 'axed' as reported, she was instead 'stepping away' from the main show on her own terms.

'My time as co-host and judge on MasterChef Australia has been a great gift,' she wrote alongside a promo photo of Dessert Masters Australia.

'To have been given the opportunity to learn and grow—and now to be given the vote of confidence to expand and evolve the MasterChef universe is huge!'

Leong will be co-hosting the show’s second season with pastry chef Amaury Guichon.

'Stepping away from the main show and into Dessert Masters Australia alongside the extraordinary Amaury Guichon is yet another sweet present indeed.'

She finished her statement with a shoutout to her co-host Andy Allen, before expressing her gratitude for the fans’ 'support' and looking ahead to her new show, Dessert Masters Australia.

Leong will be replaced by 2009 MasterChef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow and Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and will appear alongside returning host Andy Allen and food critic Sofia Levin.

'It is with great warmth and enthusiasm that I wish this new line-up of judges and hosts all the best in making it theirs, and big love to Andy Allen for leading the way,' she added.

'The changing of the guard is one I always planned to embrace, and I’m so glad to do that, on my terms, today.'

'My gratitude to our audience for all your support, can’t wait for you to see the new show. Love and respect always.'

Channel 10 has also released a statement regarding the food critic’s departure. The network insisted that Leong will remain a member of the MasterChef family.

'Melissa Leong remains a key member of the MasterChef Australia family. Melissa is set to return for a second season of Dessert Masters in 2024, alongside fellow judge and pastry prodigy Amaury Guichon,' they said.

'Next year, MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters will air back-to-back. Therefore, each show needs its own distinct style and personality and its own unique hosting team.'

You can read Melissa’s full post below:

Source: Instagram/@fooderati.​

Key Takeaways

• Melissa Leong has addressed the confusion around her sudden exit from MasterChef Australia, clarifying that she was not axed but chose to step away of her own accord.
• Leong will co-host Ten's food program, Dessert Masters Australia, and indicated that her departure from MasterChef was a career evolution move.
• The new MasterChef Australia judging panel will include 2009 MasterChef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow and Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, alongside returning host Andy Allen and food critic Sofia Levin.
• Channel 10 maintained that 'Melissa remains a key member of the MasterChef Australia family' and that she will return for a second season of Dessert Masters in 2024.

Members, do you watch MasterChef Australia? Which episode or dish is your favourite? Share them with us in the comments below!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Never watch food shows boring

I used to, just for the recipes. Since they have turned into a soap opera, I give them a wide berth.

 

[Littleboy8]

Never watch food shows boring

That’s okay that’s your perogativethey can be entertaining. Rick stein is a good example a lot of cooking shows tell a story.hairy bikers are great nigella etc etc.

 

[Veggiepatch]

That’s okay that’s your perogativethey can be entertaining. Rick stein is a good example a lot of cooking shows tell a story.hairy bikers are great nigella etc etc.

Nigella.....*purrs*

 

[Littleboy8]

That’s okay that’s your perogativethey can be entertaining. Rick stein is a good example a lot of cooking shows tell a story.hairy bikers are great nigella etc etc.

I reckon you’d like the “food unwrapped” show. It shows how foods made what’s in it where ingredients come from.it can be quite off putting eating some foods.its on the food channel.

 

[Littleboy8]

Nigella.....*purrs*

I love the bread man “ Paul Hollywood” he makes me and my pussycat purr

 

[Veggiepatch]

I reckon you’d like the “food unwrapped” show. It shows how foods made what’s in it where ingredients come from.it can be quite off putting eating some foods.its on the food channel.

Sounds like something I'd like! How do you get it?

 

[Littleboy8]

Sounds like something I'd like! How do you get it?

Sorry its on sbsfood it was on this morning.dont know what days I channel change alottheres another show on the rush channel it’s called “how do they do it” about how things are made. Like bridges, dummies used for resuscitation that was interesting. Why bridges fall down etc. etc. you’d like that one it’ll keep your mind ticking over.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Sorry its on sbsfood it was on this morning.dont know what days I channel change alot

Cool! I watch SBS Food sometimes. Trouble is it's nestled between NITV and SBS World Movies which are my go to channels.

 

[Littleboy8]

Cool! I watch SBS Food sometimes. Trouble is it's nestled between NITV and SBS World Movies which are my go to channels.

Mine too watching Silverado on world movies at the moment