Inside Melissa Leong’s Colourful Wardrobe On MasterChef Australia This Season

Ever since she made her MasterChef Australia judging debut in 2020, Melissa Leong has attracted a legion of followers who've sung her praises for her relatable on-screen presence, impressive food knowledge and eloquent critique of contestants' dishes.

She's also become a small screen fashion icon in her own right, with her bold, show-stopping earrings, food-proof lipstick and vibrant frocks often the subject of viewers' tweets.

As she returns to the show this year for MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites, Leong says that food and fashion are the ultimate pairing, and she's very hands-on when it comes to the selection of her outfits on the show.

"I've always had ultimate say over how I look," the 40-year-old tells Refinery29 Australia. "And I think... that's really important for humans in general to be able to express themselves in the way that they see themselves. So I'm very clear about what I want to look like and how I wish to project myself."

Below, we take a look at Leong's stunning on-screen style on MasterChef this season with designer details and how you can achieve a similar look.

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Why not go out with a bang? Leong does just that at the grand finale in this stunning black dress by Cappellazzo Couture paired with Scanlan Theodore heels and Lovisa earrings.

It's the final episode before semi-finals kick off, and Leong looks incredible in the silky Husk Fossil Dress ($649.00) teamed with a pop of colour in her green Lyla Earrings ($30) from Elliart Designs.

Leong keeps it sleek in black in We Are Kindred's Luna Crochet Midi Dress ($399) that features a square neckline, fitted waist and 3/4 sleeve. She accessorises with Foxx & Ginger's statement glittery Antonia dangle earrings ($46) and a pair of glossy black bumps.

Leong means business in the Darlon Relaxed Oversized Peak Lapel Blazer ($401) from Ted Baker accessorised with a thick brown belt. Adding some sparkle to the look is made easy with Lovisa's Gold Chain Mail Drop Earrings ($22.99).

Leong injects some brightness to her look for this elimination episode, choosing to wear the Safiree New World Printed Tiered Midi Dress from Ted Baker ($309). As per usual, bling is always a big part of the TV star's look, and a pair of Dented Diva earrings do the trick.

Leong looks lush in this silky teal dress called the Puzzle Dress - Ink ($595) from Kitx for the special episode filmed at The Lume, Melbourne. She's elevated the elegant look with a pair of sleek black Carvela heels and the glistening Lellie Melts - Black Glitter & Green Glitter Stud earrings ($45) from Lellie Jewellery.

Leong wears the Kitx Upcycled Giraffe Dress ($495) with brown Carvela shoes and these statement tassel earrings from Elliart Designs, which is based in NSW regional town, Condobolin.

The TV star makes a red hot statement in The Flame Midi Dress ($899) from Leo Lin, and opts for contrasting accessories with a glossy sky blue belt, Steve Madden heels and Elliart Design's Ella earrings ($39).

Leong brings vibrance to the MasterChef kitchen in the Valentina Silk Mini Dress ($699) from Leo Lin teamed with Steve Madden's Vivacious pumps in orange ($169.95) and the Jazzy Jeff Glam - Dangle earrings ($35) from Dented Diva.

Leong wears the navy Pavilion Flutter Sleeve Dress ($699) from Leo Lin, statement white earrings called The Classics - White ($47.95) from online earrings boutique, Fred & Ginger and Tony Bianco heels.

Leong wears a floral number by Alemais teamed with a brown leather belt from Husk called the Husk Kingdom Belt - Tabacco ($299).

Why pick one colour when you can wear them all? This is the stunning Rainbow Midi Dress ($595) from Alemais accessorised with a gorgeous rope belt, and Leong brings the sparkle to her look with a pair of the Proud Mary Glitz-Dangle earrings ($35) from Dented Diva.

Leong wears a bold printed frock from Alemais paired with earrings called Paula Statements in Lemon ($49.95) from online earrings boutique, Fred & Ginger.

In a cut-out black and white dress called the Milan dress from Husk ($569), Leong steals the show for the season's first pressure test, paired with fun accessories like blue Steve Madden pumps and feathery Zara earrings.

Leong's purple floral maxi dress from Husk looks gorgeous with a pair of Jazzy Jeff Glimmer - Dangle J earrings ($35) from Dented Diva and Steve Madden shoes.

I'm a big fan of working monochrome with red, which is exactly what Leong does here. Her black and white printed Husk dress is complemented by the striking Reba Earrings ($30) from Elliart Designs, which is based in NSW regional town, Condobolin.

Leong rocks this Husk pink and green tiered maxi from in week 1 with heels from Edward Meller and Issy. No 5 Peach Glitter earrings ($40) from Lellie Jewellery (handmade in Tasmania).

Leong pairs this stripy Husk top and shorts with strappy gold heels from Dolce Firme and metallic earrings from Mimco.

Many of the dresses that Leong has worn this season are from Aussie label Husk. While a few of them don't seem to be available to purchase online anymore, we've scoured the internet for some stylish alternatives. Here, Leong's teamed a bright yellow number with a pair of Seed Bead Trapeze earrings from Lovisa ($25.99).

This year, Leong continues being a judge on MasterChef alongside Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen. The trio made their judging panel debut two years ago, replacing Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston.

Gold Logie nominee Leong promises that this season — which features 12 'favourites' from previous seasons and 12 'fans' who are amateur home cooks — is really going to up the ante.

"What you have is 12 returning contestants who, yes, they bring so much to it. But what the fans bring is this unbridled enthusiasm for wanting to excel and to also impress the people that they've grown up watching for so many years on their favourite television show," she explains.

"And what you get is this energy and this enthusiasm as well as just a significant amount of culinary skills."

In terms of the cast, the favourites include Julie Goodwin (Season 1), Billie McKay (Season 7), Sashi Cheliah (Season 10), Alvin Quah (Season 2), Michael Weldon (Season 3) Mindy Woods (Season 4), Christina Batista (Season 5), Sarah Todd (Season 6), John Carasig (Season 7), Aldo Ortado (Season 10), Minoli De Silva (Season 13) and Tommy Pham (Season 13).

The fans are Ali Stoner, Jenn Lee, Chris Tran, Daniel Lamble, Dulan Hapuarachchi, Harry Tomlinson, Keyma Vasquez Montero, Matt Landmark, Max Krapivsky, Melanie Persson, Montana Hughes and Steph Woon.