The rumour mill has been buzzing with a MasterChef Australia judging panel shake-up after one fan-favourite was tipped to be leaving the gig. HOWEVER, another MasterChef icon could be stepping into their spot…
One of the best parts of MasterChef Australia is the amazing judging panel, which consists of season four legend Andy Allen, beloved Frenchman and chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, journalist and foodie Sofia Levin, and season one’s Poh Ling-Yeow.
The inside jokes, the bromance moments, the way we see them bounce off each other when it comes to the critiques — it just adds that wholesome je ne sais quoi to the cooking comp we all know and love.
However, according to some reality TV tea whispers, it’s been tipped that fan-favourite Poh Ling-Yeow will be leaving the gig.
According to New Idea, it’s been rumoured that Poh will be stepping down at the end of 2025, with season one winner Julie Goodwin possibly taking her spot.
“Julie would be a fantastic judge. Fans love her,” an insider told the publication.
“While no one wants to see Poh leave, everyone would welcome Julie back with open arms.”
Prior to MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2025, Poh admitted that she would often fantasise about “being a contestant again” and how much she missed that rush!
“I constantly run through the challenges that I have just delivered and think about what I would do in that situation. That’s how much I miss and love it,” she dished to the From the Newsroom podcast.
Will Julie Goodwin replace Poh Ling-Yeow on MasterChef Australia?
At the time of writing, there hasn’t been any official announcement from Poh, Julie or Network 10 about the status of the MasterChef Australia judging panel.
However, if Julie were to return to the kitchen as a judge, it wouldn’t come as a surprise! The first-ever MasterChef Australia winner has previously returned to the comp as a judge in 2023 — so she’s not only a winner, but she’s got that golden experience!
But for now, I think we’ll have to wait and see if anyone spills the (official) tea.
PEDESTRIAN.TV has reached out to Network 10 for comment.
MasteChef Australia: Back To Win airs on Channel 10 and 10Play from Sundays to Wednesdays.
