Melissa Leong interview: Food writer and MasterChef star reflects on her career for Witchery White Shirt Campaign 2026 | Exclusive

EXCLUSIVE: Melissa Leong became an Aussie household name through her role as a judge MasterChef Australia.

Looking back, the 44-year-old food critic and writer tells nine.com.au her time on the hit show taught her some invaluable life lessons.

Leong starred in the cooking reality show from 2020 to 2023 alongside fellow judges Andy Allen and the late Jock Zonfrillo.

Watch the videos above.

She returned to the screens as a judge in the spin-off series Dessert masters.

Leong, ambassador for this year’s Witchery White Shirt Campaign, says she has learned to be “unapologetic” and never “shrink” herself for the benefit of others.

‘I’m grateful for the time I spent on it Master chef because it opened up a whole new world for me to enjoy,” she tells nine.com.au.

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“It definitely took a while to adjust to what that feels like and the responsibilities that come with it.

“But it has taught me that if you want to succeed, you have to be completely unapologetic about who you are, and never hold back under any circumstances to make people feel less insecure.”

She adds: “I’m really living my dream life at the moment. It’s a mixed bag of brilliant projects, from TV to podcasting, food to travel and sport.”

In October 2023, Leong wrote further Instagram about distancing Master chef“My time as co-host and judge… has been a great gift. It’s huge to have had the opportunity to learn and grow – and now to have the confidence to expand and develop the MasterChef universe!

“Stepping away from the main show and entering #DessertMastersAU alongside the extraordinary @AmauryGuichon is indeed another sweet gift.

“The changing of the guard is one I always intended to embrace, and I’m so happy to be able to do so today, on my terms.”

Aside from her career, Leong – who recently released her memoir, Intestines – also has some powerful thoughts about aging and the pressures women face around their appearance.

“Under no circumstances should you shrink yourself to make people feel less insecure.”

“Seeing and hearing stories of people who left us far too soon should remind us that growing older is a gift, and we should treat that gift with appreciation,” she tells nine.com.au.

“How we choose to parent is very personal, and there is SO MUCH pressure, especially on women, to do it a certain way,” she adds.

“I say… You do it. After all, you’re the only person who can really live with it.’

Leong is an ambassador for the Witchery White Shirt Campaign, which helps raise funds and awareness for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF).

Supporting the cause means the world to Leong.

“I promised myself that if I ever reached a point in my career where I could use my voice for good, I would do it with who I am… because why wouldn’t you?” she says.

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‘Diseases that only affect women are swept under the carpet, and who suffers the consequences? Our sisters, mothers, friends, daughters.

“It is a no-brainer to tirelessly support OCRF’s work to get us to a better place.”

Other ambassadors this year are Anna Heinrich, Indy Clinton and Kate Waterhouse

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