L-R: New MasterChef judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo.
Camera IconL-R: New MasterChef judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo. Credit: Supplied/Network 10

New Masterchef judges announced

Staff WriterWestern Suburbs Weekly

THE quest to find new judges for MasterChef Australia has come to an end, with Network 10 announcing the three judges for 2020.

Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen have been announced as the new judges for the 12th season of MasterChef, which will feature All-stars from the previous 11 seasons.

Earlier this year, Network 10 announced Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, who has been judges for the show for more than a decade, would not return.

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The upcoming season will feature favourite contestants from past seasons coming back to show off the massive steps they’ve taken in their culinary journey.

Notable guests from the international culinary world will return, including Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal and Curtis Stone.

Zonfrillo is the owner and chef of three-hatted Restaurant Orana, and Bistro Blackwood in Adelaide.

He was named Australia’s Hottest Chef in 2018, as hosted television shows and appeared in the MasterChef Australia kitchen as a guest chef.

Leong is an accomplished food and travel writer, food media consultant, radio broadcaster, television presenter, MC and cookbook editor.

Allen, who is MasterChef Australia season four winner, has since become the co-owner of Three Blue Ducks and was awarded a Chef’s Hat.

Network 10 chief content officer Beverley McGarvey said they were thrilled to welcome the three new faces as judges in a nation which was obsessed with food.

“Their combined culinary credentials coupled with their passion and sheer joy for food, and their relentless enthusiasm to explore ingredients, preparation and cooking methods ensures we are in for a real treat,” she said.

The three judges will start filming MasterChef Australia – Back to Win in Melbourne early next year.