MasterChef judge Melissa Leong returns to set for first time since Jock Zonfrillo’s shock death

Melissa Leong has returned to the MasterChef studios as she begins filming a sweet spin-off alongside a new host.

MasterChef’s new co-host is in the TV kitchen alongside Melissa Leong as filming begins on the brave new chapter of the hit show.

French chocolate artist and pastry ace Amaury Guichon is in Melbourne and is understood to have started shooting MasterChef: Dessert Masters.

Leong is also back on the MasterChef set as a key cog in the sweet spin off of the Channel 10 lucrative cooking show franchise.

It is understood MasterChef: Dessert Masters recently started production at the MasterChef HQ in Ascot Vale.

Melissa Leong on the red carpet at the official opening of Goddess. Picture by Wayne Taylor 4th April 2023

Amaury Guichon who is co-hosting MasterChef: Dessert Masters with his life size chocolate kangaroo. Picture: Instagram/Supplied

It will no doubt have been an emotional return to the studio for Leong, given the last time she filmed there would have been the MasterChef grand final episode with Andy Allen and the sadly, now late, Jock Zonfrillo.

Amaury announced his involvement in the show in unique fashion, creating a life-size kangaroo, complete with a joey in its pouch, out of chocolate and posting it on social media.

“Chocolate Kangaroo inspired by my upcoming show, a sweet spin-off of the franchise MasterChef, called “Dessert Masters” that will be launching later this year in Australia with the talented @fooderati (Leong),” he wrote.