MasterChef Australia: Tearful Melissa Leong misses her mother

‘When she cries I cry’: MasterChef viewers are brought to tears as judge Melissa Leong breaks down and reveals she’s missing her mother as social distancing continues on the Channel 10 hit show

MasterChef viewers were moved after judge Melissa Leong was brought to tears during Monday night’s episode.

The 38-year-old judge was tasting contestant Poh Ling Yeow’s ‘Malaysian feast’ when she had an emotional reaction to the meal, and revealed she was missing her mother.

‘I really miss my mum and this is… this is food she cooks. Like, the smell of that in the house on the weekend…’ she explained tearfully.  

‘When she cries I cry’: MasterChef fans are brought to tears as judge Melissa Leong, 38, breaks down over missing her mum on screen

Fans of the Channel 10 cooking show immediately took to social media to reveal they too were touched by her response. 

‘WHEN MELISSA CRIES I CRY,’ one emotional fan tweeted, while another said: ‘Melissa missing her mum and crying is the worst thing to happen thanks covid.’

Meanwhile, a third wrote: ‘Poh and Melissa have ruined me tonight. It’s been an emotional week.’ 

‘Melissa brings a genuine warmth and humanity to the show, she is a spectacular and welcome addition to #MasterChefAU,’ another wrote. 

Another praised Channel 10 and said her addition to the show was the greatest thing the network has ever done. 

'When Melissa cries I cry': Fans of the Channel 10 cooking show immediately took to social media to reveal they too were touched by her response

‘When Melissa cries I cry’: Fans of the Channel 10 cooking show immediately took to social media to reveal they too were touched by her response

On Monday night, Melissa broke down in tears, telling Poh: ‘I think you’ve done an incredible job honouring your heritage. I think it’s really special.’

She continued: ‘And I’m really proud to eat food like this… I’m actually crying with joy. That doesn’t happen very often, but yeah.’ 

Clearly moved by her intense reaction to the dish, fellow judge Jock Zonfrillo asked Melissa what it was that had caused her to become so emotional.

Getting emotional: MasterChef judge Melissa Leong (pictured) was moved to tears during Monday's episode

Moved: The 38-year-old judge was tasting contestant Poh Ling Yeow's 'Malaysian feast' when she had an emotional reaction to the meal

Getting emotional: Melissa was moved to tears during Monday’s episode

'I think you've done an incredible job honouring your heritage. I think it's really special,' she told Poh before breaking down in tears

‘I think you’ve done an incredible job honouring your heritage. I think it’s really special,’ she told Poh before breaking down in tears

‘I really miss my mum and this is… this is food she cooks. Like, the smell of that in the house on the weekend…’ she explained tearfully. 

‘The way she can honour the accuracy of the flavours and the textures is absolutely spot on, and that’s what great food can do.

‘But regardless of what culture, I think you can feel it in the food in that way and what she put into this cook, that’s what we look for here.’  

MasterChef continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten 

‘I’m really proud to eat food like this… I’m actually crying with joy. That doesn’t happen very often, but yeah,’ said Melissa

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