Andy Allen posted a somber message on social media on Thursday after it was announced he will return to Channel Ten’s MasterChef Australia next year.
The celebrity chef, 35, shared a photo on Instagram of himself staring at the ocean while on a nature trail and captioned it with some reflective words.
“Many thoughts, many emotions and many thanks to all of you,” he wrote alongside the photo.
He also shared a MasterChef promotional photo of himself posing up a storm with new judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli.
“The decision to return to the MasterChef kitchen was one that I have thought about for a long time,” he began.
Andy Allen posted a somber message on social media on Thursday after it was announced he will return to MasterChef Australia next year. Pictured L – R: MasterChef’s new judging lineup Jean-Christophe Novelli, Allen, Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin
“But I’m super excited to continue Jock’s legacy and mentor a new crop of Australia’s best home chefs. Ready to start a new chapter with these three legends.’
Andy’s statement comes after reports that Melissa Leong is no longer a judge on MasterChef Australia, but she claims she left the program “on my terms” after a “magical” four-year tenure.
Her departure from the cooking show was announced on Monday – just a day before Channel Ten unveiled its 2024 programming schedule during its Upfronts presentation.
The celebrity chef, 35, shared a photo of himself staring at the ocean while on a nature trail and captioned it with some reflective words
The upcoming season will see the introduction of three new judges: series alum Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and food critic Sofia Levin.
Leong will remain part of the Ten family and will host Dessert Masters, a spin-off series from MasterChef, alongside Swiss-French pastry prodigy Amaury Guichon.
A network spokesperson told the newspaper Australian Financial Statement Leong’s exit was disabled to planning and she ‘remains an important member of the MasterChef family’.
Andy’s statement comes after reports that Melissa Leong is no longer a judge on MasterChef Australia – but she claims she left the program ‘on my terms’ after a ‘magical’ four-year tenure (she is pictured left with Andy Allen and the late Jock Zonfrillo)
‘Next year, MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters will be broadcast back-to-back. That’s why every show needs its own style and personality, and its own unique hosting team,” she added.
Allen revealed on Monday that his decision to return to MasterChef following the death of his co-star Jock Zonfrillo was not an easy one.
“After an extremely difficult year in 2023, and upon reflection, the decision to return to the series is not something I have taken lightly,” he said The Daily Telegraph.
“But there’s something special in the kitchen of MasterChef Australia, and it feels good to get back to work with the amazing production team and play my part in seeing the contestants do what I’ve done.”
Allen revealed on Monday that his decision to return to MasterChef following the death of his co-star Jock Zonfrillo was not an easy one.
Following the announcement, Fried said on Instagram that Zonfrillo would be “very happy” with the new lineup – which no longer features Leong.
Her comment has led to speculation that Zonfrillo, who died of natural causes on April 30 at the age of 46, did not get along well with Leong behind the scenes.
In a lengthy post, Fried mentioned Allen’s return to the franchise and congratulated Ling Yeow and Novelli on their new roles, but in a somewhat telling move, he neglected to mention Leong’s departure or her four years on the show.
‘This would make Jock very happy – @andyallencooks came into our lives unexpectedly four years ago. He quickly became Jock’s best friend, shared a passion for food and fun, and was someone who cared deeply about our family,” she began.
‘Andy walked back into the MasterChef Kitchen seven months ago to film his segment for Jock’s tribute show, literally just hours after I called him to tell him the news. He did that for Ava and me, for Jock, and as a gift for our little ones to look at in the future.”
She went on to say that Zonfrillo would be “super proud” if Allen “now steps back into the MasterChef kitchen with three new talented and friendly judges.”
Fried also appeared to further criticize Leong, 42, when she said the new judges “respect the privilege of being part of an extraordinary show.”
“This is a group of people who respect the privilege of being part of such an extraordinary show. They know they are stronger together than as individuals, and they want to encourage participants to make their dream of food as a career a reality,” she said.
‘You all have my absolute support – all I ask is that you continue to make fun of Andy, make him coffee so strong he walks onto set shaking, take him for a round of golf to blow off some energy. steam, and that you beat him in all the cooking competitions.’
Fried concluded, “Let’s make 2024 the best season of @masterchefau yet – get to know the judges, support the contestants and keep cooking!”
Melissa and Andy joined MasterChef Australia in 2019, after former judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris left the show due to a pay dispute