Masterchef Australia's ALL-STAR SHAKE-UP!

There's a new line-up of judges whipping the cooking rookies into shape

The fate of MasterChef Australia was up in the air after the unexpected loss of beloved judge Jock Zonfrillo in April 2023, but his family assured viewers he would want the show to go on.

In his honour, judge Andy Allen, seasonone runner-up Poh Ling Yeow, celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and food critic Sofia Levin are taking to the kitchen to continue his legacy. Not returning for the 16th season is writer Melissa Leong, who decided to leave to focus her energies on MasterChef: Dessert Masters following the show's successful first series.

Here, we chat to each of this year's judges about why this season will be the best yet...

POH
The Malaysian-born, Adelaide-based chef found fame on the very first season of MasterChef Australia. Since then, she's made several guest appearances on the show and become a household name, so it's easy to forget she never actually won.

"As much as winning is the aim of the game, I'm thrilled to be able to show new contestants that hard work is even more important," the 50-year-old says. "You don't have to win to win! MasterChef positively turned my life on its head, so this is a thrilling, full-circle moment to go back to where my story first began. It feels like coming home."