Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo announced as new MasterChef judges
A former winner, a food writer and Scottish celebrity chef will fill the big MasterChef judging shoes left by George Calombaris, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan, Channel 10 has announced.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen are the new judging panel on the hugely popular reality cooking show as it goes into its 12th season.
And to spice things up, it will be an all star event with some familiar names returning to the competition.
“In a nation obsessed with food, we are thrilled to welcome Jock, Melissa and Andy as judges to MasterChef Australia,” Ten Chief Content Officer Beverley McGarvey said.
“Their combined culinary credentials coupled with their passion and sheer joy for food, and their relentless enthusiasm to explore ingredients, preparation and cooking methods ensures we are in for a real treat.”
Confidential revealed last week that the trio was tipped to be appointed before Ten made the official announcement at its 2020 programming Upfronts event in Sydney this morning.
The three judges come with extensive experience. Allen of course won MasterChef season four and went on to host a number of TV series, while he is also co-owner of the Three Blue Ducks restaurants.
Zonfrillo is the owner and chef of three hatted restaurant Orana and Bistro Blackwood in Adelaide. He was named Australia’s hottest chef in 2018.
Leong meanwhile is a food media consultant and journalist, TV presenter and cookbook editor.
“It goes without saying, that it is an honour to be passed the baton and asked to help bring the next chapter to life on a show like MasterChef Australia,” Leong said. “It came as a huge surprise for me, and is, without a doubt the opportunity of a lifetime. I am really looking forward to getting stuck in.”
Of joining the show, Allen said: “I entered this competition as a contestant in 2012, somehow I won it and then I went out into the big, bad wide world of hospitality. To be asked to be a judge — and to come full circle back to MasterChef Australia — is really flattering and really special. I’m stoked because it means that I’ve done the hard work to be here. You don’t ask Joe Blow to be a judge on MasterChef Australia.”
MORE CONFIDENTIAL
Trolls target MAFS star’s unborn baby
Bachelorette Angie opens up on sex, trolls and Botox
‘My boy’: Natalie Imbruglia becomes a mum
The 12th season will be called MasterChef Australia — Back to Win and will see contestants from previous years return to battle it out in the kitchen.
International chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Curtis Stone and Heston Blumenthal will appear as guest judges.
“Having watched this group create their own restaurants, their own businesses and become great chefs in their own right has been amazing,” Zonfrillo said. “But now to see them back, pitting their knowledge against each other in the MasterChef kitchen, sets the stage for the most exciting season yet.”
Leong added: “Back To Win — it says it all, right? This is the who’s who of MasterChef Australia’s favourites from seasons past. This season, they have an opportunity to show everyone what they’ve been up to and where they are at, in their food evolution. They know how this game works, so they should be prepared to waste no time in showing us what they’ve got.”