South Aussie icon Poh Ling Yeow has thanked fans after she was announced as MasterChef’s newest judge

Beloved South Australian and former MasterChef contestant Poh Ling Yeow has left a touching tribute to her mother after being announced as a judge in the upcoming season.

New MasterChef Australia line-up of Jean-Christophe Novelli, Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, Melissa Leong and Amaury Guichon.

Esteemed chef and South Australian television personality Poh Ling Yeow has been named as one of MasterChef Australia’s newest judges.

Yeow, who was crowned runner-up in MasterChef Australia’s first season in 2009, took to Instagram on Tuesday to thank fans for their support.

“Wish my mama was here to share this with,” she wrote.

Yeow’s mother Christina passed away in November last year, and she has previously spoken about channelling her grief into her other passion, art.

“Thank you for your beautiful messages of support,” the social post read.

“Feeling very loved up … and a bit silly, coz (sic) is this really happening?”

Yeow has been named as a new judge alongside current judge Andy Allen and two other well-respected members of cooking royalty – Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Poh Ling Yeow, author of What I Cook When Nobody’s Watching, will be part of the 2024 MasterChef. Picture: Gretl Watson Blazewicz

Poh Ling Yeow on MasterChef. Picture: Network Ten

This comes after Yeow originally took to Instagram on Monday evening to share her excitement over the news.

“Talk about a thrilling, full circle moment,” she said.

“(MasterChef Australia) is where my story began so it feels like coming home.

“A big part of me will always be standing on the other side with the contestants and I hope when they look to me they see proof you don’t have to win to win.”

On Monday, it was announced Melissa Leong had been “axed” from her role on the show.

The popular judge’s exit was announced by Channel Ten as the broadcaster revealed a major shake-up for the popular cookery show ahead of its upcoming season.

The new season of MasterChef Australia will air in 2024.