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 brand new documentary alongside the Australian actress, 52, in a move away from her cooking background.
The duo will join comedians Steph Tisdell and Nazeem Hussain in the new SBS series Great Australian Road Trips.
Inspired by the successful 2023 Great Australian Walks series, Claudia and Steph will work together in one car with Melissa and Nazeem in another vehicle to reveal untold Australian stories.
The group will travel far and wide across Australia to learn step by step about the country’s hidden history and unknown connections.
Actress Rachel Griffiths, theater star Jacki Weaver and TV presenter Marc Fennell will also appear in the series.
The news was revealed on Wednesday at SBS’s 2025 Upfronts event, which detailed the channel’s programming schedule for 2025 – which is also SBS’s 50th anniversary.
Melissa and Claudia both 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 Australian actress, 52, and Rachel Griffiths (all pictured) in a move away from her cooking background
Dessert Masters judge Melissa exuded sophistication in a vibrant red long-sleeved dress with a pleated skirt, which she paired with black peep-toe sandals.
She dressed up with an array of silver jewelry and added a pop of bold red lipstick to her chic ensemble.
Meanwhile, Bump creator Claudia looked equally elegant in a plum wrap dress with a daring slit that showed off her toned legs.
She added some extra height to her frame with a pair of gold heels and accessorized with a dainty silver necklace and hoop earrings.
They were also joined by their documentary co-star Rachel, who cut a smart figure in a black suit and patterned T-shirt.
It appeared she injured her wrist when she wore a black splint on one arm during the outing.
Melissa’s exciting new TV project comes amid rumors she could be lining up a return to MasterChef Australia.
Melissa left MasterChef Australia last year under a cloud of suspicion over an alleged feud with her former co-host Andy Allen, who still serves as a judge.
The news was revealed on Wednesday at SBS’s 2025 Upfronts event, where the channel’s programming schedule for 2025 was revealed – which is also SBS’s 50th anniversary.
Attending the glitzy event to celebrate her new project, Dessert Masters judge Melissa oozed sophistication in a vibrant red long-sleeved dress with a pleated skirt
Meanwhile, Bump creator Claudia looked equally elegant in a plum wrap dress with a daring slit that showed off her toned legs
She added some extra height to her frame with a pair of gold heels and accessorized with a dainty silver necklace and hoop earrings
“Melissa told Ten she will return to MasterChef Australia when Andy Allen leaves,” a TV insider told Ny Breaking Australia.
“I think the idea of returning to what the show once was to her seems a little daunting, and the only way Melissa could ever return is if the entire format were revamped.”
Melissa shocked fans when she shared the news of her departure on Instagram the day before Network Ten’s 2024 Upfronts.
“The changing of the guard is one that I have always wanted to embrace, and I am so happy that today I can do so on my terms,” she wrote in a statement last October.
Melissa’s departure came after claims she was fired following a series of publicized off-camera dramas.
She infamously fell out with the show’s hair and makeup team in 2022, along with a replacement freelance hairstylist.
“Andy has no issues with Leong,” the source told Ny Breaking Australia. ‘But he previously said that his former colleague wasted a lot of time on hair and make-up.
‘He felt her control over what was being filmed was being compromised by her perfectionism.’
Andy returned to the show this year alongside three new judges: media darling Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin star 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, alongside French-Swiss pastry chef Amaury Guichon.
They were also joined by their documentary co-star Rachel, who cut a smart figure in a black suit and patterned T-shirt.
It appeared she injured her wrist when she wore a black splint on one arm during the outing
Melissa’s exciting new TV project comes amid rumors she could be lining up 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 pastry chefs competed for a $100,000 prize and delivered ratings for the network in the highly competitive reality TV market.
The premiere episode saw 451,000 Australians in attendance across all major cities and viewers praised the TV veteran’s role in the show.
It is known within Ten that Dessert Masters will return in 2025, but the network has bought some time by delaying a formal announcement until after the second season has aired.
“Last year there was a lot of interest in the debut of Dessert Masters,” a Ten spokeswoman told Ny Breaking Australia.
‘In 2024 we are happy that we can deliver a second portion.’