Fans go wild for fiery MasterChef moment as Mel Leong claps back at contestant

Melissa Leong is not here to play, shutting down a contestant for talking back in the very first episode of MasterChef season 13.

MasterChef favourite Melissa Leong expertly put a contestant in their place for talking back to the judges in last night’s premiere episode, and viewers couldn’t get enough of it.

Twitter erupted after flight attendant Ben, 36, bit back at Leong when she critiqued his meal, applauding the food critic for standing her ground.

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Mel calmly interjected as Ben began to defend himself amid his critique. Picture: Channel 10.

Fans have labelled Ben the early ‘villain’ of the season. Picture: Channel 10.

The beloved judge had told Ben he “brought us a dish you thought we wanted to see” instead of playing to his culinary strengths, to which he promptly responded “I disagree”, going on to defend his decision.

“I think I brought a dish that speaks about a side of me that I’m just kind of meeting now,” Ben retorted as fellow MasterChef judges Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen looked taken aback.

“I could have easily cooked something that I’ve been cooking for years, you know, a slow braised dish or anything like that, but that’s …” he continued, before Leong cut in.

“I would invite you to … to listen to us and to hear … To take that on,” she said calmly.

“I would like you to cook again,” she concluded, sending Ben to the second round to cook and potentially secure a spot in the competition.

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Jock Zonfrillo looked shocked and confused as Ben spoke back to Mel. Picture: Channel 10.

Fans took to Twitter to praise Leong’s polite yet stern shut down, with one joking: “My sexuality is Melissa Leong interrupting a man.”

“Holy sh*t, I didn’t know Mel was cooking tonight, but give her an apron because she tenderly roasted smug Ben,” another wrote.

My sexuality is Melissa Leong interrupting a man. #masterchefau

— Maeve Marsden (@maevemarsden) April 19, 2021

“I would invite you to listen to us” is the most polite STFU I’ve ever heard. #MasterChefAU

— Lisa Thompson (@agentforkaos) April 19, 2021

Honestly put "I invite you to listen" in my phone notes so i NEVER FORGET #MasterChefAU

— Astrid Jorgensen (@JorgensenAstrid) April 19, 2021

The audacity of Ben to disagree with Mel our queen #MasterChefAU

— Lynn K. (@_lynnnnk) April 19, 2021

Mel already regretting the decision not to send anyone home tonight. A special exception could be made for this guy #MasterChefAU

— Lia (@LiaMirch) April 19, 2021

MEL IS NOT HAVING IT #MasterChefAU

— reality romance (@austcomment) April 19, 2021

NO ONE ARGUES WITH MEL #MasterChefAU

— Swal (@swalji1) April 19, 2021

This season comes after a wildly successful first year on the judging panel for Leong, who quickly secured herself a viewer and contestant favourite due to her ability to genuinely connect with the cooks.

On Monday night, she welcomed the new contestants with an emotional speech, urging them to “support each other, celebrate each other’s successes, have each other’s backs when things are not so great”.

MasterChef Australia continues at 7.30pm tonight on Channel 10