Aussie viewers are in for a sweet treat this year with news that the delectable debut series of MasterChef: Dessert Masters will be headlined by judges Melissa Leong and internationally renowned chef Amaury Guichon.
Melissa and Amaury have all the ingredients to make this world-first addition to the MasterChef franchise a recipe for sweet success.
Cannes-born pastry chef, Amaury Guichon, is no stranger to addictive viewing. He has amassed over 50 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for his chocolate masterpieces that mimic roulette wheels, robots, rocking horses, skateboards and more.
From delicate sugar work to life-sized chocolate sculptures, complex cakes and picture-perfect pastries, there is nothing this classically trained young gun can’t master.
Get to know Amaury in his chat with 10 Play here.
Amaury’s incredible edible creations are matched only by his impressive resumé. At 21, Amaury was hired as the youngest executive pastry chef in Paris; now at 31 he boasts a 17-year career in pastry. Being in the spotlight is a piece of cake for Amaury, who hosted his own highly successful Netflix series, School of Chocolate in 2021.
Caramel and sea salt, lemon and meringue, cookies and cream – some things just go better together. That’s where fellow judge Melissa Leong comes in.
A food writer, critic, cookbook editor, radio presenter and MC, Melissa has become one of the nation’s favourite television personalities, for her role as a judge on MasterChef Australia.
Melissa is a household name who has worked with some of the most respected names and brands in Australian food, including Adriano Zumbo and Gelato Messina – so she knows what it takes to make a dynamite dessert.
Melissa said: “Desserts have the capacity to be magical. I’m excited to see what these talented chefs are capable of when let loose in the MasterChef kitchen.
“Creating a memorable dessert takes years of practice, technique and an exacting eye for detail. Throw people with these qualities into a place like the MasterChef kitchen and stand back… who knows what they will bring to life.”
Amaury said: “I feel very honoured to have been chosen to be part of this wonderful new adventure that will once again highlight our beautiful industry with all its craft and complexity. I am excited to discover what the contestants will create in order to wow us!”
Some of the most exciting names in pastry, desserts and all things sweet and delicious will bring their elite skills to the competition as they contend to be the nation’s first Dessert Master, and with $100,000 on the line, the pressure is on not to fudge it up.
Stay tuned for updates on the ultimate guilty pleasure indulgence, coming soon to 10 and 10 Play.
FAQs
Production company Endemol Shine Australia makes both MasterChef and Dessert Masters. A spokesperson for the network said the decision to shuffle the hosting line-up was due to filming schedules and publicity demands outside of filming.
Is Amaury Guichon still married? ›
Fiona Bergson posted an image of pastry chef Francois Delaire, on Instagram in May 2023, with a romantic caption suggesting that she has moved on from her relationship with Amaury Guichon. The couple later came out public about their split.
Who will be the new judge on MasterChef Australia 2024? ›
Andy Allen is set to stay in the kitchen, but now he'll be joined by a roster of three newbies — French celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, Melbourne-based food critic Sofia Levin, and MasterChef sweetheart and runner-up of Season 1, Poh Ling Yeow.
Is Melissa Leong in a relationship? ›
The former MasterChef Australia judge was with father-of-three Rob for two years before their split in May 2023 where, according to the Daily Mail, the unfollowed each other on Instagram and Melissa removed all photos of her former beau. Meet Melissa's new boyfriend, Rob Mason.
What was the official cause of death of Jock Zonfrillo? ›
According to those close to him and his family, Zonfrillo died of natural causes. The chef had previously battled a heroin addiction, but there was no evidence of drug use found during a search of his hotel room.
What is the biggest MasterChef controversy? ›
In 2013, "MasterChef" judges and producers were accused of sexual, mental, and physical harassment by former contestants. Many accusations came from a blog post by former contestant Marie Porter, where she describes how friends she met on the show were allegedly sexually and physically harassed by judges and producers.
Does Amaury Guichon sell his work? ›
Can I buy Chef Amaury's creations and pastries? He does not sell the creations made during his demonstrations/classes as his main focus is education.
Who is the best chocolate sculptor in the world? ›
Amaury Guichon (born 15 March 1991) is a French-Swiss pastry chef and chocolatier. He is known for his pastry designs and chocolate sculptures.
Will there be a 2024 MasterChef? ›
The fourteenth season of the American competitive reality television series MasterChef (also known as MasterChef: Generations) is scheduled to premiere on Fox on May 29, 2024. Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, and Joe Bastianich are all returning as judges.
Is MasterChef returning in 2024? ›
A total of fifty-eight talented amateur chefs are be taking part in MasterChef 2024. We'll be updating this list of the contestants taking part as it's announced each week, along with who progresses each week, so avoid reading the results if you don't want any spoilers!
Global phenomenon MasterChef is set for a stellar 20th series this Spring - starting on BBC One from 1st April 2024.
Where is Melissa Leong going? ›
She is currently a judge on Network 10's Dessert Masters alongside Amaury Guichon and was previously a judge on MasterChef Australia from 2020 to 2023, alongside Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo.
Where does Melissa Leong live now? ›
MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong is the proud new owner of a stunning renovated terrace in Melbourne's Carlton North. The 40-year-old food critic and TV star is said to have splashed out $2.5million on her new pad, which is in the same area that she lived in while married to to ex-husband Joe Jones.
Who is Mel Leong's ex-husband? ›
Melissa married her former husband Joe Jones in 2017 but they sadly separated in 2020. She revealed a new romantic relationship with Melbourne entrepreneur Rob Mason in 2021 and the happy couple are still together as of 2023.
Were Melissa and Jock friends? ›
Inside the close knit friendship of Melissa Leong, Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo. It's hard to believe that before meeting on the set of MasterChef: Back to the Win in October 2020, Melissa Leong, Andy Allen, and Jock Zonfrillo were strangers.
Why did David walk out of MasterChef? ›
However, he is most (infamously) well known for attempting to quit the competition entirely when he was at the Top 5 after he felt that everybody was against him, which led to everybody losing whatever little respect that they had for him.
How much do the judges on MasterChef get paid? ›
With the judges rumoured to be taking home around $500,000 a year with Ten, the show's rampant popularity and critical acclaim could see bigger fees negotiated for future seasons. Fans say the new judges have bought an untouchable flair to the show.
What happened to Jennifer Behm from MasterChef? ›
Post MasterChef
After her appearance, Jennifer did a number of cookery events/demonstrations, started her own catering company Pink Martini Catering and runs restaurant Red Fin Crudo with her husband Julio.
