The Duchess of Sussex will co-host Junior MasterChef Australia in 2027, joining Poh Ling Yeow as they guide young culinary talent, sources confirm. Meghan, who previously appeared on the adult version of the show in July this year, called the role “an easy yes” in a statement.
The Duchess of Sussex will co-host Junior MasterChef Australia in 2027, teaming up with judge Poh Ling Yeow to mentor young chefs, according to multiple verified reports. The show, which last aired in 2020, returns after a six-year hiatus, with filming expected in Melbourne early next year. Meghan’s role was confirmed by Network 10, the broadcaster behind the revival.
Previous Appearance Sets the Stage
Meghan’s involvement with MasterChef Australia began in July this year, when she appeared as a guest judge during a four-day visit to the country with Prince Harry. The episode, filmed at Melbourne Showgrounds in April, drew the show’s largest Sunday audience since 2023. Her return to the franchise comes as she prepares for a new chapter in her career, following the end of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan.
In a statement, Meghan said: I love cooking with my own kids, so seeing what these young stars create in the kitchen is going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see what they cook up!
The Duchess also highlighted her enthusiasm for nurturing the next generation of young culinary talent,
a sentiment echoed by Yeow, who described the reunion as “a real treat.”
Meghan’s appearance on MasterChef Australia marked her return to television nearly a year after the second season of her Netflix lifestyle show concluded. She previously served as a guest judge on Food Network’s Chopped Junior in the US in 2016, as noted by tvtonight.com.au and TV Blackbox. Her July 26, 2026 episode featured Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow, Duchess Meghan and Sofia Levin, according to Yahoo.
Filming Details and Uncertainties
Filming for Junior MasterChef Australia is set to take place over several weeks in the first half of 2027, though no official dates have been announced. Sources suggest the production will take place at Melbourne Showgrounds, the same venue where Meghan filmed her guest appearance. It remains unclear whether Prince Harry or their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will accompany her during the shoot.
Industry Impact and Viewer Anticipation
The revival of Junior MasterChef Australia marks a significant moment for the network, which has positioned the show as a calculated play for international viewership.
Poh Ling Yeow, who will also judge the adult series in 2027, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating: I’m expecting plenty of delicious surprises and a little mischief, too.
Yeow will return to judge MasterChef Australia Season 19 alongside Andy Allen, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli, as noted by TV Blackbox.
Viewer reactions to Meghan’s previous appearance on MasterChef Australia were largely positive, with social media users praising her natural demeanor. Fans of the show have welcomed the return of the junior edition, with one noting: Loved tonight’s show Meghan was genuine, engaging and a professed home cook who enjoyed judging all the great dishes put forward tonight.
The episode drew its largest Sunday audience since 2023, according to Network 10.
The Junior MasterChef Australia revival is produced by Endemol Shine Australia (ESA), part of media and entertainment group Banijay Entertainment. The series will air on Network 10, with plans to distribute it internationally through Banijay Rights. The show’s return follows a six-year hiatus, with the last season airing in 2020, as reported by The New Daily and tvtonight.com.au.
Meghan’s involvement with the show aligns with her broader media presence. Her series With Love, Meghan, which ran for two seasons, was viewed 5.3m times globally in the first half of 2025, according to Theguardian. The show, for which she received an Emmy nomination, won’t return for a third season. She has since launched her lifestyle brand called As Ever, which sells jams, honey, wine, chocolate and edible flower sprinkles, as noted by The Telegraph UK.
The Sussexes’ recent trip to Australia in April included events tied to the Invictus Games, and earlier that morning, Prince Harry and Meghan met with emergency services and survivors of the Bondi Beach massacre, according to The New Daily. The family’s return to the UK in August followed six years in California, where they lived after leaving their places as senior working royals six years ago.