Former MasterChef Australia runner-up and television personality Poh Ling Yeow has been announced as one of the three new judges in the 16th season of MasterChef Australia, which airs next year.
Network 10 announced this week that its highest-profile show will introduce Ling Yeow as a judge, as well as food journalist Sofia Levin and French Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
The trio will join current judge Andy Allen to complete the four-host line-up, following the departure of its highest-profile host, Melissa Leong.
Leong, who was a judge for four seasons, addressed the news on her socials on Monday.
“My time as co-host and judge on @MasterChefAU has been a great gift,” she wrote.
“To have been given the opportunity to learn and grow – and now to be given the vote of confidence to expand and evolve the MasterChef universe [with spin-off show Dessert Masters] is huge!”
“It is with great warmth and enthusiasm that I wish this new lineup of judges and hosts all the best in making it theirs, and big love to @andyallencooks for leading the way.”
“The changing of the guard is one I always planned to embrace, and I’m so glad to do that, on my terms, today.”
Leong will be seen co-hosting a new cooking reality show next month, called Dessert Masters, which will air on Network 10. The show pits ten dessert and pastry chefs against one another to battle it out for the title of ‘Dessert Master’.
Produced by the same production company behind MasterChef Australia, Endemol Shine Australia, the show has already been tipped for a second season in 2024.
Leong, a 2022 Gold Logie nominee, also appeared as a judge on spinoffs Junior MasterChef Australia and Celebrity MasterChef Australia.
Ling Yeow took to her socials to express her excitement over her new role.
“Talk about a thrilling, full circle moment. @masterchefau is where my story began so it feels like coming home,” she wrote. “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.”
Ling Yeow was a runner-up of the show’s first season in 2010, and has since starred in shows alongside fellow MasterChef contestant Adam Liaw, as well as her own Australian Story episode, and guest starring in the ABC show “Back to Nature.”
Andy Allen, who won the MasterChef title in season four, has been a host and judge since 2020, after the original judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan dropped out over a pay dispute the year prior.
In a personal statement, Allen said “After an extremely difficult year in 2023, and upon reflection, the decision to return to the series is not one I took lightly.”
“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.”
Allen joined the show as a host at the same time as Jock Zonfrillo, who passed away in April this year.
According to Network Ten, the latest lineup flip was due to filming schedules.
“Melissa Leong remains a key member of the MasterChef Australia family,” a spokesperson said.
“Next year, MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters will air back to back. Therefore, each show needs its own distinct style and personality and its own unique hosting team.”
“Melissa is set to return for a second season of Dessert Masters in 2024, alongside fellow judge and pastry prodigy Amaury Guichon.”
New judges Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli have taken to their socials to announce their new roles. Melbourne-based food journalist Levin has written for publications including Broadsheet, Lonely Planet, the Guardian, the Age.
“I’m rarely lost for words, but now that I’m not sworn to secrecy I’m struggling to find them,” she wrote on Instagram. “It’s official: I will be joining @andyallencooks, @pohlingyeow and @jeanchristophe_novelli as a judge on @Masterchefau.”
“I am quite literally shaking with excitement — what an honour to continue Jock and Melissa’s legacy and be part of this new era. Here’s to bringing curiosity to the table.”
Novelli wrote, “For many years I have been so passionate about nurturing culinary talent, which makes joining the beloved show that is Masterchef Australia an absolute dream!”
“I am delighted to be picked as one of the dynamic ingredients to create another memorable recipe.”