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As we all know by now, this year we have three new MasterChef judges.
Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen will be taking the reigns of the long-running Australian reality TV staple this year.
George Calombaris, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan walked away from the franchise in July last year due to failed negotiations over money, and before the new cast was announced we’d all been hanging off the rumour from Who that Maggie Beer, Curtis Stone and Poh Ling Yeow were taking over.
Plot freakin’ twist.
Remember the pea and bacon in ice cream in 2016? Post continues after video.
Now, it’s been announced that pop star Katy Perry will join Zonfrillo, Leong and Allen as a guest judge.
Announced Sunday via the official MasterChef Instagram account, it was confirmed (in all caps no less) the pregnant singer would make an appearance next season.
Perry is yet to comment on the announcement but – given our own desire to eat professionally made, scrumptious food – we’re betting her reaction to the casting ranges somewhere from “What a sweet gig” to “oh, wow, I’m in heaven.”
The other judges.
No offence to Jock, Melissa or Andy… but we need a refresher on who you are pls before the kick off of season 12.
Let’s start with Jock Zonfrillo – he’s a Scottish celebrity chef and TV presenter based here in Oz. He owns the popular Restaurant Orana in Adelaide which won Restaurant of the Year in 2018 by both Gourmet Traveller and The Australian.
He’s also the founder of The Orana Foundation which is a not-for-profit that aims to preserve the cooking techniques of The First Australians.
Listen to The Spill hosts Laura Brodnik and Kee Reece explain why the new MasterChef judges have been selected for the hit show.
“It’s a privilege to be asked and I can’t wait to get in the kitchen with Melissa and Andy to uncover Australia’s next MasterChef!” Zonfrillo wrote on Instagram.
Melissa Leong is a food and travel writer, radio broadcaster and TV presenter.
She’s written for Time Out Sydney, Australian Gourmet Traveller, Daily Addict and New Matilda and hosts The Friday Delicious on Sydney’s FBi radio.
She also does some media consulting – clients of interest include Adriano Zumbo.
“I could never have dreamed that I would be asked to be part of the next chapter of this great Australian legacy, and it is with deep respect and appreciation for everything that has come before, that we take our first steps into the new,” Leong wrote on Instagram.
With a handle like “fooderati” we’re excited to see Leong in action on our TV screens.
Last but not least, we have Andy Allen, a MasterChef alumni.
The former electrician won the series in 2012, beating Audra Morice and Julia Taylor to claim the top prize.
He went on to become the co-owner of Three Blue Ducks, taking on the role of head chef at the Rosebury restaurant in Sydney.
He’s the only contestant to be awarded the sought after Chef’s Hat honour.
“I’m stoked,” wrote the Sydneysider on Instagram.
“This is really humbling and has come full circle for me. To win the show back in 2012, then to throw myself into the big world of hospitality, be recognised by the industry and accepted by chefs I admired, to now take on a role as Judge of Australia’s best cooking show is just one of the coolest things ever. So pumped!” he said.
We’re excited to see the newbies in action.
Feature image: Instagram/@masterchefau
Top Comments
I'm surprised these are the new judges. It will be interesting to see how much it changes the show.