Staying Home: How MasterChef's Melissa Leong is coping with social distancing

Staying Home is a series of interviews with well-known Australians to learn how they are dealing with isolation and social distancing.

Food critic and travel writer Melissa Leong is the first female judge to join the reality cooking show MasterChef Australia, as it enters its 12th season.

More than half of the episodes have already been filmed, but the pressure is on to finish in case stage four coronavirus restrictions come into play.

The Sydney-born and Melbourne-based personality (who loves food as much as she lives for fashion) is sure to deliver some essential TV viewing as, more than ever, we tune in to distract from the news headlines.

“Social distancing has certainly changed the way we film, but the love and support from all contestants is very much there,” says Leong, who is married to Romeo Lane Bar owner Joe Jones.

“There’s an extra feeling of connection because of what we’re going through in these unprecedented times.

“This is something we never thought we would experience together, but it’s brought cast and crew alike so close; but not close enough to high five.”

Word has it that they’ve filmed to the top 10 finalists stage; and if her background is a sign of what’s to come (she has a double degree in economics and social sciences), Leong is sure to bring her sass, food knowledge and clever charm to the screen, keeping us wanting a repeat serve.

Favourite room 

Our living room and kitchen is one open space, with heaps of light. It’s where we spend the most time together as a family, cooking, watching movies, and when the weather is nice it’s awesome to be able to leave the doors open to the back garden so we can potter around and soak up the sun. It’s filled with indoor plants, velvet furnishings and tasty snacks, so it’s a pretty relaxing place to be.

Latest DIY project

I’ve become obsessed with germinating avocado seeds. I’ve been making little ceramic collars that hold them up out of their glass jars … they’re a helluva lot more attractive than toothpicks, that’s for sure! I’m also learning how to kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold joins. I got into it because a professional potter friend of mine Kimberly Cruz sent me a box of her beautiful pieces, but some didn’t survive the interstate trip. They were so beautiful I didn’t want to throw them away, so kintsugi.

Where you go to relax at home

We moved house just a few months ago and I am still working out the best nooks to retreat to, but I’m in love with our bedroom. The room itself is generous in size, but still feels cosy, and it’s the first house I’ve lived in where I could really see the potential in making the bedroom as beautiful and nest-like as possible. I finally invested in the best bed of my life, which I have decked out with delicious linen sheets from Bed Threads in shades of mustard, lavender and grey and stone.

What you’re reading

Right now, scripts and direction notes. We are still finishing filming MasterChef, and I’m very focused on bringing it home with everything I have. Aside from that, I’m also proofing a book I’ve been ghost-writing for chef Shannon Martinez; a vegan cookbook that will convince the most meat-loving of us to give veg a chance. It’s out later this year.

What you’re baking/making

Like people all over the world right now, I’m making comfort food. Times are so uncertain and from once glance on social media, you can see everyone is baking bread, making pasta, caking it away.

At our house we take turns at bringing our family heritages to life – my husband Joe’s Italian roots, my Singaporean Chinese ones, as well as our joint obsession with mainland Chinese cuisine as well. I love making my mum’s Hainanese chicken rice, and Joe’s mum’s silverbeet with chickpea, lemon and chilli. Very different, but equally soul-filling.

What you’re planning 

I’m planning where I will go when these travel bans are lifted and we can start flying again. This world of ours will no doubt be in a mess for a long time, and we need to celebrate the places and spaces that not only need the economic support, but also light us up on the inside. Barcelona, Puglia, London, Nashville, I’m headed your way as soon as I can!

Latest home purchase 

I bought an adjustable bed by Sealy, because I believe in the power of a good night’s sleep, and supporting Australian businesses. It’s the most expensive bed I’ve ever purchased and has more inbuilt tech than I knew a bed could have, but sleep is an investment worth making.

Favourite time of day in isolation

I’m currently not isolated full-time because we’re lucky enough to be finishing filming the show, so it’s getting home at the end of the day and seeing my cats and my husband … and if I’m honest, having a little wind-down aperitif.

Isolation survival tip

Being trapped in the house can feel fine for introverts like me, but for others it can be claustrophobic. Find what works, whether that’s a routine or a more freeform approach, or an activity that soothes the soul, be that cooking, movies or that pile of books you’ve been meaning to devour. Most of all, I think it requires us to be kind to ourselves because for many, this isn’t a life experience we have endured, or were prepared for.

A new app you’d downloaded and using now 

Buddhify, for occasion-appropriate meditations that can really take the edge off, when anxiety starts to creep in and a reset is required.