When food writer Melissa Leong first graced our screens as a judge on MasterChef Australia alongside chefs Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo in 2020, many heralded her presence as a breath of fresh air.
An Asian-Australian woman front and centre of one television’s biggest shows felt like a step in the right direction for cultural representation.
But while Melissa is honoured by her role in bringing more diversity to Australian television, she wants to make one
thing clear: there’s a long way to go.
Melissa brings the warmth as she judges on MasterChef.
(Image: Ten)
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“I’m proud to be a face that isn’t common on television at this point,” the 39-year-old tells TV WEEK.
“I hope we can continue to move forward in terms of representation of all kinds. It’s not just about me in my Chinese skin – it’s about people of all perspectives, ability, identity and culture.”
In the wake of xenophobic attacks on Asian people worldwide, Melissa admits it’s a topic that hits home for her.
“It’s been heartbreaking to see such an exponential increase in racial-hate crimes towards people who look like me,” she shares. “It makes me really upset, because it could be my mum, a cousin, or be anybody who I know or who I don’t know. I can feel it.
“You just hit a nerve,” Melissa adds with a sad laugh.
“It’s surprising when emotions bubble up like this. It tells you what’s important in your life. I don’t know how else to be other than real, and sometimes that’s being emotional. Feeling something is important.”
Melissa knows how important it is to advocate for others, but find time for herself too.
(Image: David Geraghty)While she honours her community with empathy, she also understands it’s also important to take time for herself.
“The last 12 months have been a roller-coaster,” she says. “But I don’t think that’s different to anyone else right now. We were all just coping with whatever life threw at us with whatever grace we could muster.”
And it’s been a difficult year for Melissa, who has not only had to handle the MasterChef Australia spotlight, but also her separation from husband Joe Jones being public.
With a demanding schedule filming MasterChef‘s 13th season, she acknowledges it’s never been more important
to be able to recharge so she can always bring her A-game.
“I’m an introvert, so I need to regain my energy,” Melissa explains. “I need to be able to know when to say no to those invitations and opportunities, to prioritise rest and recuperate.
“For me, that means spending time at home, it’s cooking with my friends and family, exercising and focusing on nutrition and rest.”
Celebrating with her fellow MasterChef judges Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen
(Image: Instagram)During the pandemic, Melissa relished the opportunity to slow down, spending time in her sunny backyard, collecting home ingredients to cook up for dinner.
Inspired by the book Saturday Night Pasta by her friend Elizabeth Hewson, she’s gravitated towards creating unhurried dishes, such as Hainanese chicken or slow-roasted tomato pasta.
“It’s like a moving meditation,” she explains. “I love food that fills the house with aroma. That’s very comforting, no matter what culture you come from or what you cook. That’s the magic of food.”
Now, Melissa is looking forward to finishing off the MasterChef season strongly, showcasing the contestants’ skills and the stories they bring.
“That’s why the show does so well,” she says. “When you have someone sharing their stories, family recipes, and the way they evolve them to make them MasterChef-worthy.
“No matter who we are and how different we might be, there is a connection through food.”
