Melissa Leong(born 1982)[2]is an Australian freelance food writer, food critic, television host, radio broadcaster, cookbook editor and marketer.[3]She is currently a judge onNetwork 10'sDessert MastersalongsideAmaury Guichonand was previously a judge onMasterChef Australiafrom 2020 to 2023, alongsideAndy AllenandJock Zonfrillo.
Melissa Leong | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1982 (age 42–43) Sydney,New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupations |
|
| Television | |
| Spouse |
Joe Jones
(m.2017;sep.2020) |
Early life
editLeong was born in 1982 inSydney.[4][5]Her parents emigrated to Australia from Singapore.[6]
Career
editShe co-hostedThe Chefs' Linewith chefsDan HongandMark Olivefor two seasons in 2017, and 2018.[7]
In October 2019, it was announced that Leong would be joining Network 10's cooking competition showMasterChef Australia,as a new judge alongsideJock ZonfrilloandAndy Allen,after former judgesMatt Preston,Gary MehiganandGeorge Calombarisleft the series when Ten refused to meet the trio's pay rise demands.[8][9]Leong, Zonfrillo and Allen debuted on episode one of the show'stwelfth season,which premiered on 13 April 2020.[10]Later that year, Network 10 announced that athird seasonofMasterChefspin-offJunior MasterChef Australia,was set to air in October 2020, with Leong appearing as a judge alongside Allen and Zonfrillo.[11][12]
In November 2020, Leong was named Who's Sexiest Person of 2020 byWhomagazine.[5]
In May 2021, it was announced that Leong would appear as a judge in another MasterChef spinoff, thesecond seasonofCelebrity MasterChef Australiaalongside Allen and Zonfrillo.[13][14]
In late 2022, Leong was announced as a judge on the all newMasterChefspinoff series, titledDessert Masters.She judged and co-hosted the show alongside international pastry chefAmaury Guichon.[15][16]Network 10 announced in their 2023 upfronts that the series was to be aired in the second half of 2023, after thefifteenth seasonofMasterChef Australiafinishes.[17]
In October 2023, it was announced that Leong would not be returning as a host ofMasterChef Australia.[18]
Personal life
editLeong has had depression and anxiety throughout her life and has an autoimmune condition which has caused chronic insomnia and loss of hair.[19]
Leong married Joe Jones in 2017. In December 2020, she announced the two have separated.[1]
References
edit- ^abBode, Lucy (21 December 2020)."MasterChef star Melissa Leong's shock walk-out".Who.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2020.Retrieved21 December2020.
- ^"A life in travel: MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong".NZ Herald.Retrieved23 April2022.
- ^Watson, Meg (13 May 2020)."Melissa Leong on MasterChef, diversity and tabloids: 'I will never, ever let this stuff shake me'".The Guardian.Retrieved15 May2020.
- ^"MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong on her life in travel".NZ Herald.9 July 2020.Retrieved21 August2020.
- ^abCartwright, Lexie (5 November 2020)."MasterChef's Melissa Leong named sexiest person of 2020".News.au.Archivedfrom the original on 20 December 2020.Retrieved21 December2020.
- ^Lallo, Michael."'No point in sanitising your past': Melissa Leong praised by viewers ".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved2 May2020.
- ^"The Chefs' Line | TV Tonight".tvtonight.au.3 April 2017.Retrieved1 August2023.
- ^Bucklow, Andrew (10 October 2019)."MasterChef Australia: New judges announced".News.au.news.au.Retrieved15 May2020.
- ^"MasterChef Australia New Judges Announced".News.au.
- ^The Wait Is Over. MasterChef Australia. Back To Win.,retrieved1 August2023
- ^"Jock, Melissa, Andy back to judge on Junior MasterChef | TV Tonight".tvtonight.au.23 July 2020.Retrieved1 August2023.
- ^"Junior MasterChef makes its debut next month".The Herald Sun.
- ^Perry, Kevin (24 May 2021)."Channel 10 confirms CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA is coming".TV Blackbox.Retrieved1 August2023.
- ^Wilson, Zanda (24 May 2021)."Ten revives Celebrity MasterChef after more than a decade".Mumbrella.Retrieved1 August2023.
- ^Vrajlal, Alicia."Everything We Know About MasterChef: Dessert Masters".refinery29.Retrieved1 August2023.
- ^Haddad, Kailah (2 March 2023).""MasterChef Australia" 's Sweetest Season Yet: Meet the Judges of Dessert Masters ".POPSUGAR Australia.Retrieved1 August2023.
- ^"MasterChef: Dessert Masters Is Set For Sweet Success".10 play.6 October 2022.Retrieved1 August2023.
- ^Quinn, Karl (23 October 2023)."'Great gift': Melissa Leong responds to being dumped from MasterChef ".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved23 October2023.
- ^Watson, Meg (13 May 2020)."Melissa Leong on MasterChef, diversity and tabloids: 'I will never, ever let this stuff shake me'".The Guardian.Retrieved15 May2020.