She’s insisted her departure from MasterChef Australia was ‘on her own terms’. 

And Melissa Leong, 41, has now teased her secret new TV project that appears to involve a medical theme. 

Posting to Instagram, the Dessert Masters judge uploaded a photo of herself posing in blue scrubs in front of posters depicting cancer treatment information. 

‘Tiny tease of a new show I’ve been filming,’ Leong wrote in the caption, adding: ‘Breaking news: it’s not food related… turns out sometimes it IS brain surgery.’

It comes after Channel 10 announced earlier this week that the food critic will be departing MasterChef after seving as a judge for four years,

Former MasterChef star Melissa Leong, 41, (pictured) teased her new secret TV project via a cryptic Instagram post on Thursday - and it appears to have a medical theme

Former MasterChef star Melissa Leong, 41, (pictured) teased her new secret TV project via a cryptic Instagram post on Thursday - and it appears to have a medical theme

Former MasterChef star Melissa Leong, 41, (pictured) teased her new secret TV project via a cryptic Instagram post on Thursday – and it appears to have a medical theme 

The upcoming season will see the introduction of three new judges: series alum Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and food critic Sofia Levin.

The trio of newcomers will be joined by returning host Andy Allen.

A network spokesperson told the Australian Financial Review Leong’s exit was down to scheduling and she ‘remains a key member of the MasterChef family’.

It comes after Channel 10 announced earlier this week that Leong will be departing MasterChef after announcing a new line up for the hit cooking competition

It comes after Channel 10 announced earlier this week that Leong will be departing MasterChef after announcing a new line up for the hit cooking competition

It comes after Channel 10 announced earlier this week that Leong will be departing MasterChef after announcing a new line up for the hit cooking competition

Leong, who starred as a judge in the reality hit for four years, maintains she left the program 'on her own terms' Pictured: Leong, with the late Jock Zonfrilo (L) and Andy Allen (R)

Leong, who starred as a judge in the reality hit for four years, maintains she left the program 'on her own terms' Pictured: Leong, with the late Jock Zonfrilo (L) and Andy Allen (R)

Leong, who starred as a judge in the reality hit for four years, maintains she left the program ‘on her own terms’ Pictured: Leong, with the late Jock Zonfrilo (L) and Andy Allen (R)

However she won’t be leaving the MasterChef fanchise, as she is permanently hosting Channel 10 series Dessert Masters, alongside Swiss-French pastry prodigy Amaury Guichon. 

Her departure from the cooking show was announced on Monday – just a day before Channel Ten is set to unveil its 2024 programming slate at its Upfronts presentation.

‘Next year, MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters will air back-to-back. Therefore each show needs its own distinct style and personality and its own unique hosting team,’ they added.

MasterChef winner Poh Ling Yeow (pictured) will be part of new judging line-up

MasterChef winner Poh Ling Yeow (pictured) will be part of new judging line-up

 MasterChef winner Poh Ling Yeow (pictured) will be part of new judging line-up

Food critic Sofia Levin (pictured) will be joining MasterChef as a judge

Food critic Sofia Levin (pictured) will be joining MasterChef as a judge

Food critic Sofia Levin (pictured) will be joining MasterChef as a judge

Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli (pictured) is also joining the cast

Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli (pictured) is also joining the cast

Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli (pictured) is also joining the cast 

Leong said on Monday her time on MasterChef Australia had been ‘truly magical’.

‘My time as co-host and judge on @MasterChefAU has been a great gift. To have been given the opportunity to learn and grow – and now to be given the vote of confidence to expand and evolve the MasterChef universe is huge!’ she wrote on Instagram.

‘Stepping away from the main show and into #DessertMastersAU alongside the extraordinary @AmauryGuichon, is yet another sweet present indeed.

Leong will star in Dessert Masters (pictured), another Channel Ten cooking competition which kicks off in November

Leong will star in Dessert Masters (pictured), another Channel Ten cooking competition which kicks off in November

Leong will star in Dessert Masters (pictured), another Channel Ten cooking competition which kicks off in November 

‘It is with great warmth and enthusiasm that I wish this new lineup of judges and hosts all the best in making it theirs, and big love to @andyallencooks for leading the way’ she continued.

‘The changing of the guard is one I always planned to embrace, and I’m so glad to do that, on my terms, today.

‘On top of all that joy, I am excited to share with you (soon), some other projects I’ve been working on behind the scenes, so watch this space!

My gratitude to our audience for all your support, can’t wait for you to see the new show. Love and respect always’.

Leong and Allen joined MasterChef in late 2019, after former judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris left the show amid a pay dispute.

Leong and Allen joined MasterChef in late 2019, after former judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris left the show amid a pay dispute

Leong and Allen joined MasterChef in late 2019, after former judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris left the show amid a pay dispute

Leong and Allen joined MasterChef in late 2019, after former judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris left the show amid a pay dispute

Sofia Levin recently did a stint on The Cook Up with another MasterChef star, Adam Liaw (left)

Sofia Levin recently did a stint on The Cook Up with another MasterChef star, Adam Liaw (left)

Sofia Levin recently did a stint on The Cook Up with another MasterChef star, Adam Liaw (left) 

Leong emerged as a bona fide network star and a brand in her own right, with lucrative partnerships with Visit Victoria, QT Hotels and Perrier-Jouet champagne.

Casting conversations at MasterChef started after the tragic death of Jock Zonfrillo earlier this year.

A source described it as a ‘sombre process’ with everyone involved still grieving the enigmatic Scottish chef who joined the cast alongside Leong and Allen in 2019.

Zonfrillo died in his hotel room at Zagame’s House on Lygon Street in Carlton and was found by police at about 2am on Monday, May 1 – the same day Channel Ten was meant to premiere the fifteenth season of MasterChef Australia.

Source

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