Melissa Leong's surprising new TV role after quitting MasterChef: 'Blows my mind'

Almost a year after announcing that she wouldn’t be returning to MasterChef Australia, Melissa Leong has shared some exciting news about an upcoming TV gig. The food writer and Dessert Masters judge took to Instagram on Sunday evening to reveal that she’ll be making a guest appearance on an episode of Play School this week.

“I grew up watching Play School. This iconic show has been a part of Australian entertainment for 60 years, and so it blows my mind that coming up this week, I get to be part of the magic!” she wrote.

“This is the only time you're ever going to see me sing and dance on television, just so you know how much I wanted to do this!” she continued. “I don't know if I'll ever feel like I 'made it', but if I did, moments like this'd do it.”

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Melissa’s appearance on the ABC program is part of Play School’s week-long series ‘What’s Cooking’, where well-known Australian chefs and food personalities join the show’s presenters in the Play School kitchen to create “a brilliant breakfast, lovely lunch, scrumptious snacks, delicious dinner and delectable desserts”.

Other guests set to appear on the show include RecipeTin Eats owner and publisher Nagi Maehashi, and baking extraordinaire and Dessert Masters 2023 contestant Morgan Hipworth.

'The crossover of my dreams'

Melissa’s followers took to the comments to applaud her exciting career move, including several former MasterChef contestants.

“This is so cool! I’ll tune in with the grandkids,” 2023 runner-up Rhiannon Anderson wrote, followed by Larissa Sewell who said, “Can’t love this more”.

“This is huge! WTF. Officially made it,” someone else remarked, while another added, “Career highlight for sure”.

“The crossover of my dreams!” a different user replied.

Dessert Masters premiere date announced

Melissa’s announcement comes shortly after Channel 10 revealed that the highly-anticipated second season of Dessert Masters will premiere on Monday, October 14.

The cooking competition features Melissa on the judging panel alongside international pastry chef and chocolatier Amaury Guichon as 10 of the country’s best pastry chefs compete for the culinary crown and $100,000.

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The cast of season two includes former MasterChef winner Emelia Jackson and two-time MasterChef contestant Reece Hignell, as well as Alisha Henderson, Christy Tania, Dan Pasquali, Darren Purchese, Donato Toce, Jana Lai, John Demetrios, and Katherine Sabbath.

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