MasterChef shake-up for 2024; new sweet gig for Melissa Leong

MasterChef Australia will see a shake-up in 2024 with three new faces joining the judging line-up and Melissa Leong to focus on her sweet new gig. Meet the new judges here.

It will be a new look MasterChef in 2024.

Andy Allen will return to the fold while much loved Melissa Leong will be again judge on Dessert Masters on Channel 10.

The news comes months after the tragic passing of judge Jock Zonfrillo.

Joining Allen on the 2024 season will be three new judging faces in MasterChef favourite Poh Ling Yeow, food critic Sofia Levin and multi-Michelin Star award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Ten will unveil the line-up at its annual programming event on Tuesday.

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

“After an extremely difficult year in 2023, and upon reflection, the decision to return to the series is not one I took lightly,” said Allen, who of course won the fourth season of MasterChef in 2012.

“But there is something special in the MasterChef Australia Kitchen, and it feels right to come back to work with the amazing production team, and to play my role in seeing the contestants do as I have done. 2024 will be the start of a new chapter, and it will be surreal – yet brilliant – to share this moment with my fellow judges, Poh, Sofia and Jean-Christophe.”

Ling Yeow placed runner-up to Julie Goodwin in the first ever season of MasterChef and later returned in multiple seasons as a judge and mentor before coming back as a contestant for the 12th season in 2020.

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

“MasterChef Australia is where my food story began, so this 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.”

She then posted to her stories following the announcement that she wished her “mama was here to share this with” and thanked fans for their “beautiful messages of support”.

“Feeling very loved up . . . . and a bit silly, coz is this really happening?” she wrote.

Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo Picture: Network Ten

Leong meanwhile will be seen on the first season of Dessert Masters when it premieres on Ten next month.

In the MasterChef spin-off, the respected food critic will be joined by pasty prodigy Amaury Guichon, as they put a crop of masters of their dessert trade through their paces in one of the toughest competitions yet.

“Over the past four years, MasterChef Australia has infused my life with something truly magical,” Leong said.

“It has provided me with life-changing experiences that have given me the courage to continue to put myself outside of my comfort zone. It is with great enthusiasm and warmth that I welcome new faces Sofia, Poh, and Jean-Christophe, to this very special family, I know they will make it theirs in their own special way, as we did.

“The great honour of growing the MasterChef Australia family with the introduction of Dessert Masters is not lost on me. I relish the sweet opportunity to nurture this special series alongside Amaury.”