Melissa Leong goes back to where it began for sweet new gig beyond food

After a topsy-turvy week, former MasterChef judge Melissa Leong has some even sweeter career news - and it doesn’t involve food.

One week on from the news she’d be leaving MasterChef, Melissa Leong is already evolving her career beyond food.

She’s joining forces with her former employer SBS, to helm a documentary alongside Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis and Gold Logie winner Samuel Johnson.

The network releasing the news alongside a slew of other commissions at its 2024 program launch on Tuesday.

Called The Hospital: In The Deep End, the trio will explore the challenges facing the Australian public health system.

Leong previously worked with SBS when she co-hosted The Chef’s Line for two seasons in 2017-2018.

Melissa Leong hints at a new show on her Instagram stories. Picture: Instagram

All dressed up with somewhere to go … Melissa Leong hints at exciting news captioning this Instagram story. Ready for some big news. Stay tuned. Picture: Instagram

She hinted at the news on her socials last week and on Instagram as news of the new MasterChef line-up with Andy Allen, media darling Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and food critic Sofia Levin, was leaked ahead of the official announcement.

“I want to express my gratitude for the overwhelming support this past day, in sharing the news that I am shifting gears and making space in my life for a delicious new chapter,” Leong said.

“This is a shift I embrace with joy. One that allows everyone involved, to expand. To put it plainly, I’m very fortunate to continue to be a key part of @masterchefau, yet have the space to evolve my career. In effect, I get to have my cake and eat it too … and what could be better than that?!”

Samuel Johnson, Melissa Leong and Costa Georgiadis will explore the challenges facing the Australian public health system in a three-part doco on SBS. Picture: SBS

It’s been a topsy-turvy week for the 41-year-old, whose new show Dessert Masters with international pastry whiz Amaury Guichon was commissioned for a second season even before its first season debuts November 12.

Leong was forced to speak out after Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren alluded to a behind-the-scenes feud in an Instagram post. Lauren praising the new line-up, and but failed to mention Leong.

“This would make Jock immensely happy – @andyallencooks unexpectedly came into our life 4 years ago. He quickly became a bestmate to Jock, shared a passion for food and fun, and was someone who cared deeply for our family,” she wrote.

MasterChef judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and the late Jock Zonfrillo at last year’s Melbourne Cup. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Speaking with the Herald Sun on Friday, Leong said she refuses to let women diminish each other and fall into negative, predictable tropes and stereotypes.

“I spend my life empowering women to occupy the room that they’re in with every embodiment of who they are. How could I not do the same?” Long said, standing her ground and turning up the heat on the haters.

“I like to be direct. I like to be heartfelt in everything that I strive to be as real.

“We are all humans, humans are complex and you are allowed to have off days. For me it’s about being real and that resonates with people. That’s why I’m here and I’m not going to shake that determination to continue being unapologetically me.”

Originally published as Melissa Leong goes back to where it began for sweet new gig beyond food