Melissa Leong teases her secret new TV show following shock exit from MasterChef Australia – and it has nothing to do with food
She insists her departure from MasterChef Australia was ‘on her own terms’.
And Melissa Leong, 41, has now teased her secret new TV project which appears to feature a medical theme.
The Dessert Masters judge took to Instagram to post a photo of herself posing in blue scrubs in front of posters offering information about cancer treatment.
“A little tease from a new show I’m filming,” Leong wrote in the caption, adding, “Breaking news: it’s not food related…it turns out to be brain surgery sometimes.”
It comes after Channel 10 announced earlier this week that the food critic will leave MasterChef after serving as a judge for four years.
Former MasterChef star Melissa Leong, 41, (pictured) teased her new secret TV project via a cryptic Instagram post on Thursday – and it appears to have a medical theme
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.
The trio of newcomers will be joined by returning host Andy Allen.
A network spokesperson told the newspaper Australian Financial Statement Leong’s departure was subject to scheduling and she “remains an important member of the MasterChef family.”
It comes after Channel 10 announced earlier this week that Leong will be leaving MasterChef after announcing a new line-up for the hit cooking competition
Leong, who starred as a judge on the reality hit for four years, claims she left the show “on her own terms.” Pictured: Leong, with the late Jock Zonfrilo (L) and Andy Allen (R)
She won’t be leaving the MasterChef franchise, however, as she permanently hosts the Channel 10 series Dessert Masters, alongside Swiss-French pastry wonder Amaury Guichon.
Her departure from the cooking show was announced on Monday – just a day before Channel Ten is set to unveil its 2024 programming during its Upfronts presentation.
‘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.
MasterChef winner Poh Ling Yeow (photo) will be part of the new jury line-up
Food critic Sofia Levin (photo) will be present as a jury member on MasterChef
Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli (pictured) also joins the cast
Leong said on Monday her time on MasterChef Australia had been “truly magical”.
“My time as a co-host and judge on @MasterChefAU has been an amazing gift. It’s huge to have been given the opportunity to learn and grow – and now to be given the confidence to expand and develop the MasterChef universe!’ she wrote on Instagram.
“Stepping away from the main show and entering #DessertMastersAU alongside the extraordinary @AmauryGuichon is another sweet gift indeed.
Leong will star in Dessert Masters (pictured), another Channel Ten cooking competition kicking off in November
“It is with great warmth and enthusiasm that I wish this new line-up of judges and presenters all the very best to make it their success, and big love to @andyallencooks for leading the way,” she continued.
“The changing of the guard is one that I always intended to embrace, and I’m so happy to be able to do so today, on my terms.
‘Along with all that joy, I also want to share with you (soon) some other projects I’ve been working on behind the scenes, so watch this space!
I want to thank our audience for all your support. I can’t wait for you to see the new show. Love and respect always’.
Leong and Allen joined MasterChef in late 2019, after former judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris left the show over a pay dispute.
Leong and Allen joined MasterChef in late 2019, after former judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris left the show due to a pay dispute
Sofia Levin recently starred in The Cook Up with another MasterChef star, Adam Liaw (left)
Leong emerged as a bona fide networking star and a brand in her own right, with lucrative partnerships with Visit Victoria, QT Hotels and Perrier-Jouet champagne.
Casting talks on MasterChef began following the tragic death of Jock Zonfrillo earlier this year.
A source described it as a “dreary process” with everyone involved still mourning the enigmatic Scottish chef who joined the cast alongside Leong and Allen in 2019.
Zonfrillo died in his hotel room at Zagame’s House on Lygon Street in Carlton and was found by police at around 2am on Monday, May 1 – the same day Channel Ten was due to premiere the fifteenth season of MasterChef Australia.