Lexi Webster
MasterChef Australia is a competitive cooking reality show based on the original British MasterChef. The show's original hosts and judges were Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, and Matt Preston, who left the show in 2019 after 11 seasons. They were replaced by series 4 winner Andy Allen, food critic Melissa Leong, and restaurateur and chef Jock Zonfrillo. Following Zonfrillo's death and Leong's departure, Allen was joined by series 1 runner-up Poh Ling Yeow, food writer Sofia Levin, and French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Original judges | Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston |
| New judges | Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo |
| Reason for change | Pay dispute |
| Year of change | 2019 |
| Current judges | Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli, Sofia Levin |
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What You'll Learn
- Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston were the original judges
- Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo replaced them in 2020
- Jock Zonfrillo passed away in April 2023
- Melissa Leong stepped down in October 2023
- Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Sofia Levin joined Andy Allen as judges in 2024
Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston were the original judges
MasterChef Australia is a competitive cooking reality show based on the original British MasterChef. The show's original hosts and judges were restaurateur and chef Gary Mehigan, chef George Calombaris, and food critic Matt Preston. The trio fronted the popular program for 11 seasons, from its inception until 2019.
Gary Mehigan is a restaurateur and chef. He once referred to his replacement, Jock Zonfrillo, as a "trailblazer". George Calombaris is a chef. In 2019, he revealed that he had underpaid staff at several of his restaurants. Matt Preston is a food critic. He won the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent for his work on MasterChef Australia.
In 2019, it was announced that the three original judges would be replaced by Series 4 winner and chef Andy Allen, food critic Melissa Leong, and restaurateur and chef Jock Zonfrillo. The network chief executive, Paul Anderson, stated that the parties could not reach a deal "despite months of negotiation." The original judges left the show after a pay dispute with Network Ten.
The new lineup of judges was well-received by viewers, with some praising the show's refreshed format. However, there were also fans who missed the original concept of the show and expressed their dissatisfaction with the changes.
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Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo replaced them in 2020
MasterChef Australia is a competitive cooking reality show based on the original British MasterChef. The show is produced by Endemol Shine Australia and screens on Network 10. The show's original panel of judges included restaurateur and chef Gary Mehigan, chef George Calombaris, and food critic Matt Preston. They judged the show for 11 seasons until 2019, when they were replaced by Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, and Jock Zonfrillo in 2020.
Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, and Jock Zonfrillo were announced as the new judges of MasterChef Australia in 2019, ahead of the show's 12th season in 2020. Allen, the winner of the show's fourth season in 2012, is the co-owner and head chef of Three Blue Ducks in Sydney. Leong is a food critic and travel writer, while Zonfrillo was a celebrity chef and TV presenter, as well as the owner and chef of Bistro Blackwood and Orana restaurants in Adelaide.
The new judges were brought in to reinvigorate the program, and their addition was accompanied by a revamped format. While some viewers were unhappy with the changes, there were also new and returning viewers who enjoyed the new judges and format. The original judges left the show in July 2019 after a pay dispute with Network Ten, and they were replaced by Allen, Leong, and Zonfrillo, who were expected to bring a refresh to the show.
In 2023, Melissa Leong stepped down from her role as a judge on MasterChef Australia. Leong issued a statement on Instagram, expressing her warmth and enthusiasm for the new lineup of judges and hosts. The lineup change was due to filming schedules, as Leong moved on to co-host the cooking reality show Dessert Masters, which would air back-to-back with MasterChef Australia.
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Jock Zonfrillo passed away in April 2023
Jock Zonfrillo, the renowned Scottish chef, television presenter, and restaurateur, passed away in April 2023. His death came as a shock to his fans and family, leaving many saddened and perplexed.
Zonfrillo was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and began working in kitchens at a young age. He had a challenging youth, battling a heroin addiction, but he managed to overcome it and pursue a successful career in the culinary world. He was named the Young Scottish Chef of the Year in 1993 and went on to work at prestigious restaurants in the UK and Australia.
In 2020, Zonfrillo joined the judging panel of MasterChef Australia, a popular cooking reality show. He was well-known for his appearances as a guest chef on the show before becoming a judge. His presence on the show was intended to reinvigorate the program, and he was joined by fellow judges Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.
Unfortunately, Zonfrillo's life was cut short during a trip to Melbourne in April 2023. He was found deceased in a hotel room, and his cause of death has never been publicly disclosed. His wife, Lauren Zonfrillo, addressed his sudden passing and the challenges of dealing with public interest and speculation surrounding his death.
The loss of Jock Zonfrillo in April 2023 was a tragic moment, and his contributions to the culinary world and his impact on MasterChef Australia will always be remembered.
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Melissa Leong stepped down in October 2023
Melissa Leong stepped down from her role as a judge on MasterChef Australia in October 2023. Leong's departure came as a surprise to many, as she had been an integral part of the show for three years, joining the judging panel in 2020. During her time on MasterChef Australia, Leong brought her expertise as a food writer, food critic, and television host to the table. Her warm and enthusiastic personality was well-loved by viewers and contestants alike.
Leong's decision to step away from MasterChef Australia was announced by Network Ten, who attributed the change to filming schedule conflicts between MasterChef Australia and her new show, Dessert Masters. Dessert Masters, also airing on Network Ten, was lined up to air back-to-back with MasterChef Australia, requiring each show to have its own dedicated hosting team. Leong gracefully accepted the decision, taking to Instagram to express her gratitude for her time on MasterChef Australia and wishing the new lineup of judges and hosts success.
Leong's departure from MasterChef Australia marked the second change to the judging panel in a short span. It followed the sudden death of her fellow judge, Jock Zonfrillo, earlier in 2023. With Leong's exit, only Andy Allen, the winner of MasterChef Australia in 2012, remained from the original trio of judges that joined the show in 2020.
To fill the vacancies left by Leong and Zonfrillo, Network Ten brought in former contestant Poh Ling Yeow, French Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, and food writer Sofia Levin. Allen, the sole remaining original judge, expressed his support for the new lineup, stating that it was "a great opportunity to bring in new talent and fresh perspectives."
While Leong's departure from MasterChef Australia saddened many fans, she assured them that she was not leaving the MasterChef universe entirely. She went on to co-host Dessert Masters alongside renowned pastry chef Amaury Guichon. This new venture allowed Leong to continue showcasing her passion for food and her expertise in the culinary world, offering a sweet new chapter in her television career.
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Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Sofia Levin joined Andy Allen as judges in 2024
In 2024, MasterChef Australia welcomed a new judging panel to the show. Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Sofia Levin joined Andy Allen as judges. Allen, a former contestant and winner of the show, has been a judge since 2020. He replaced the show's original hosts and judges, Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, and Matt Preston.
Poh Ling Yeow was the runner-up of MasterChef Australia's first season. She is joining the judging panel alongside French-born celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. Novelli has had an illustrious culinary career, having earned four Michelin stars at Gordleton Mill before opening his first restaurant, Maison Novelli, in 1997. He has since owned restaurants in the UK, France, and South Africa, published cookbooks, and set up a cooking school.
The third new judge, Sofia Levin, is a celebrated Melbourne-based journalist and host. She has been writing about food since 2013 for publications such as Broadsheet, Lonely Planet, the Guardian, and the Age. In 2021, she launched The Seasoned Traveller, a website and newsletter that celebrates cultural diversity through food. Levin has also appeared on TV shows such as Postcards and The Cook Up with Adam Liaw.
The new judging team was seen filming a challenge with guest chef Jamie Oliver in late 2023. They appeared to be getting along well and were all smiles as they prepared for filming.
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Frequently asked questions
MasterChef Australia changed judges in 2019, when Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston, and George Calombaris were replaced by Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, and Jock Zonfrillo.
The original judges on MasterChef Australia were Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston, and George Calombaris.
As of 2025, the current judges on MasterChef Australia are Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Sofia Levin.
