MasterChef judge Melissa Leong ‘signs a million-dollar deal to host the next two seasons of Junior MasterChef’
MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong has reportedly signed a generous new deal to host the next two seasons of Junior MasterChef.
After making her debut on the main show this year alongside Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen, the 38-year-old ‘breakout star’ is said to have impressed executives at Channel 10 so much that she will now be rewarded accordingly.
A source told New Idea: ‘Melissa has a new big MasterChef deal. It’s confirmed. She will head up the judging panel of Junior MasterChef, and it’s a million-dollar deal for the next two series.’
‘Million-dollar deal’: MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong, 38, has reportedly signed a generous new deal to host the next two seasons of Junior MasterChef
As well as offering her culinary expertise to the young contestants, Melissa has also reportedly signed on the dotted line to return to MasterChef next year.
‘There’s no denying she’s the breakout star of the new judges,’ the insider added. ‘All of her hard work has paid off. With her new increased MasterChef salary for 2021 plus Junior, she has hit the magic million mark. Everyone loves her!’
According to the source, Jock and Andy will be returning to MasterChef next year but they won’t be involved with Junior MasterChef.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for further comment.
Exciting: As well as offering her culinary expertise to the young contestants, Melissa has also reportedly signed on the dotted line to return to MasterChef next year
In April, Channel 10 surprised cooking fans with the unexpected news that spin-off series Junior MasterChef was casting for a new season.
The Australian version of the competition ran for two seasons between 2010 and 2011, and was hosted by judges Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris.
Meanwhile, Melissa’s exciting news comes after she appeared on The Sunday Project and hit back at trolls who said that she ‘wasn’t qualified’ to be a judge on the show.
Casting news: According to a source close to production, Jock and Andy will be returning to MasterChef next year but they won’t be involved with Junior MasterChef
‘I didn’t know the trolls had a copy of my CV, of my decade-long journey through food!’ she said.
‘But it is a cathartic thing to show my knowledge about food, but there’s always more to learn. So let’s just add to the CV.’
She then cheekily waved to the camera and said: ‘Hi, trolls!’
‘Didn’t know they had a copy of my CV!’ This comes after Melissa appeared on The Sunday Project and hit back at trolls who said that she ‘wasn’t qualified’ to judge on the show.