Yesterday Network Ten announced who would be replacing Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris as judges on MasterChef Australia.
Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen are the lucky three new judges.
WATCH: Matt Preston opens up about the MasterChef controversy
However, The Daily Telegraph‘s food column Delicious Sydney has now reporting that “dozens” of celebrity chefs has previously turned down offers from the network.
“The new MasterChef judges will be announced today but we hear Channel 10 were knocked back dozens of times before they heard a yes,” the column states.
“The new MasterChef judges will be announced today but we hear Channel 10 were knocked back dozens of times before they heard a yes,” the report claimed.
Before the official news was confirmed, there was speculation that Maggie Beer, Curtis Stone and Poh Ling Yeow would be the three new judges.
Following the exciting announcement yesterday, Network Ten’s chief content officer, Beverley McGarvey, said in a statement: “In a nation obsessed with food, we are thrilled to welcome Jock, Melissa and Andy as judges to MasterChef Australia.
“Their combined culinary credentials, coupled with their passion and sheer joy for food, and their relentless enthusiasm to explore ingredients, preparation and cooking methods ensures we are in for a real treat.”
If you aren’t familiar with the new judges, this might spark your memory.
Jock Zonfrillo, a Scottish chef, has actually appeared on the show in past seasons of the show as a guest judge.
Andy Allen actually won the show on season four of MasterChef Australia. Since, he has become the owner of popular Sydney eatery Three Blue Ducks.
Melissa Leong is a food writer who has appeared on SBS’s reality cooking show The Chefs’ Line.
All three of the new judges took to social media accounts to share the happy news.
“It’s a privilege to be asked, & I can’t wait to get in the kitchen with Melissa and Andy to uncover Australia’s next MasterChef!🔥” said Jock.
“It is with great excitement that I share with you possibly the biggest news of my career, to date. I’m thrilled to confirm the whispers happening out there and say YES! I will indeed be part of the new guard for MasterChef Australia!” Melissa wrote.
Allen wrote: “This is really humbling and has come full circle for me. To win the show back in 2012, then to throw myself into the big world of hospitality, be recognised by the industry and accepted by chefs I admired, to now take on a role as Judge of Australia’s best cooking show is just one of the coolest things ever. So pumped! 👊”
The new season of MasterChef Australia is set to hit our screens in 2020.
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