As season two of Dessert Masters kicks off, the show is set to deliver even more of what fans have come to love: an epic showcase of creativity, precision, and sweet indulgence.
B&T sat down with legend of the MasterChef world and judge, Melissa Leong, to get an inside look at what ingredients went into making this season extra special.
Leong, most well known for her role in MasterChef Australia, is back as a judge for the second season of Dessert Masters alongside celebrated pastry chef Amaury Guichon.
As the new season unfolds, fans can expect to be dazzled by jaw-dropping desserts, surprising twists, and touching moments of connection between contestants. “We’ve worked so hard to make this show,” Melissa says. “I’m just excited for people to finally see it.”
“We’re building on the strength of season one,” she shared. “We present 10 of the most phenomenal professional pastry chefs in Australia, going head-to-head. It’s such a magical invitation for them to show their creativity, these incredible challenges not only push their artistic skill but also their engineering and architectural abilities”.
This season promises to be a true spectacle for viewers. Each contestant, from the cake creators to gelato experts, will be pushed to their limits as they experiment with beloved ingredients like chocolate, butter, and flour. Yet, while many viewers may think they could replicate the magic they see on screen, Melissa is quick to point out the complexity of the craft.
“It’s that 10,000 hours thing. These people have focused all their love and attention on a really concentrated field, and when you watch what people can do, it’s really inspiring,” she explained. “These contestants have spent years honing their craft. It’s about passion, precision, and embracing the hard work”.
This year, the cast is filled with top-tier talent, including the likes of Alisha Henderson, Christy Tania, and Emelia Jackson, all of whom bring unique backgrounds and experiences to the table. One standout element of the competition is how personal each contestant’s creations can be. “What we love to see is the personality and story of the person who’s making the food,” Melissa told B&T. “You have these incredible brains thinking about challenges in very different ways, and what you get are multiple beautiful creations that look completely unique”.
Beyond the technical skills, Dessert Masters shines a light on the human side of competition. “The kitchen is a great equaliser,” Melissa reflected. “Even the most accomplished chef can be thrown by a single challenge. When that happens, it’s fascinating to watch how they recover, adapt, and push forward”.
“Everybody is human; while some have spent a lot of time honing a particular skill, we are all still human. Mistakes happen, but what is beautiful is the prevailing human spirit to achieve, to be proud of oneself and to do everything that one can to push forward”.
With such high stakes, the pressure is undeniably intense, but what sets Dessert Masters apart is the camaraderie that develops among the contestants. “It’s heartwarming to watch these competitive, extremely talented people walk into the kitchen as rivals but leave as friends. That’s a beautiful part of the MasterChef family – they bond over this unique, shared experience.”
“For me, as a judge, being able to watch that year after year is a real privilege,” she said.
The sweetness of Dessert Masters is more than just the sugar – it’s in the celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and community that brings these talented individuals together.
Desert Masters airs on Monday nights at 7:30pm on Ten and Ten Play.
