MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong says she’s ready to move on from a ‘dumpster fire’ year

She confirmed her split from husband Joe Jones in December 2020, after four years of marriage.

And now, MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong has said she’s ready to move on from a ‘dumpster fire year’.

[I’m tackling 2021] with gratitude, connection, power and change,’ the 39-year-old chef said at an event according to Woman’s Day.

‘Those words I definitely consider are at the heart of what’s going on in my life,’ she added.

It comes four months after Melissa announced she’d split from her husband, bar owner Joe Jones.

In a heartfelt Instagram post on December 20, the food critic wrote: ‘It has brought us such happiness to walk together, but the time has come for Joe and I to part ways and walk on, apart.’

‘We ask for your kindness and consideration for our privacy, we will not be making any further comment as our private lives have, and will always remain exactly that.⁣⁣

‘We wish you peace at the end of such a challenging year for all.’ 

The pair married in a small ceremony at California’s Joshua Tree National Park in February 2017, after dating for just five months.

‘I first met him briefly at his bar in Melbourne, Romeo Lane,’ Melissa previously told TV Week of their whirlwind romance.

‘Then we met again properly about 18 months later at a function. We started talking there and we’ve just not ever ceased since really. It’s pretty cool.’ 

While the reason for their split has not been disclosed, Joe hinted in February last year as they celebrated their three-year anniversary that Melissa’s filming schedule for MasterChef had taken a toll on their relationship.