Food critic Melissa Leong has reflected on her time at MasterChef ahead of the launch of its sixteenth season on Monday.
And she also revealed she is making a point of taking on projects that excite her this year — even if they’re not exactly in her usual wheelhouse.
The former MasterChef host and judge said she has fond memories of her involvement with the cult classic Aussie cooking competition.
It also gave her “tremendous opportunities” to grow in her career, she said.
“I reflect on the last four years of being host and judge of MasterChef with joy, with gratitude and with maximum respect,” Leong said.
“It’s given me tremendous opportunities to grow my skills, to test my mettle, and without those experiences I wouldn’t be here.”
“I think about it every day as something that was a huge part of my life and continues to be a huge part of my life.”
The food critic said she will “absolutely” be watching the latest season of the “very special show”.
“It really is a family. Former judges, former contestants, we’re all part of this incredible history and legacy of a very special show that’s been going on for a very long time,” Leong said.
As for her next moves, Leong has just started filming the second season of Dessert Masters, which she “can’t wait” for people to see, and she will go behind the scenes of Australia’s busiest public hospitals for documentary The Hospital: In the Deep End.
She’s even dabbling in sports broadcasting for the first time.
Leong will be back in Perth in August to commentate the highly anticipated UFC 305 at RAC Arena.
While it wasn’t something she saw on her 2024 bingo card, Leong said it’s “an exercise in saying yes to things that excite you”.
“The technique stuff is something I’m still learning, but I just started jiu jitsu to better understand MMA, so we’ll see what happens,” she said.
“I’ve never really been into a lot of sport but MMA really excites me.
“Who knows where it’s going to take me next!”