Melissa Leong, a judge from MasterChef Australia, has re-entered the dating world nine months following her split from husband Joe Jones, a barman.
The 38-year-old food critic took to social media on Monday to announce her new relationship with Rob Mason, a barber based in Melbourne.
Posting to Instagram, Melissa uploaded a photo of the hunky entrepreneur, who is founder of haircare brand Morris Motley, alongside a gushing caption.
Cooking up a new romance! MasterChef judge Melissa Leong, 38, (left) is dating Melbourne barber Rob Mason (right)
‘Gratuitous hot dad post, a day late,’ she wrote in the caption.
Leong praised Mason, describing him as the “creator of world-class cosmetics” and the “brains behind @morrismotley.” She also commended him as a “brilliant father” to his daughters and expressed her affection, stating he is the “best part of my day.” Her message concluded with “nothing but love @therobmason.”
Rob, who has three young daughters, featured in several of Melissa’s Instagram Stories over the weekend. One story showed the couple on a ‘double date’ via Zoom with friends.
‘Gratuitous hot dad post, a day late’: Posting to Instagram, Melissa uploaded a photo of the hunky entrepreneur, who is founder of haircare brand Morris Motley, alongside a gushing caption
On Sunday morning, Melissa posted a Story of herself making breakfast with Rob’s daughters, captioning it, “Breakfast tacos for the squad,” and tagged Rob’s account.
‘Breakfast tacos for the squad,’ the gourmet wrote, tagging Rob’s account.
She then uploaded a photo of Rob being showered with Father’s Day gifts by his daughters, captioning the heartwarming post: ‘Hottest dad. Cutest babes.’
‘Breakfast tacos for the squad’: On Sunday morning, Melissa shared an Instagram Story photo of herself preparing breakfast with Rob’s daughters
Rob also uploaded an Instagram photo of Melissa holding one of his daughters as she cooked a meal on the stove.
He captioned the sweet photo, ‘Junior sous’ – playfully referring to his daughter as a young sous chef.
As the day came to an end, Melissa shared a final Instagram Story post documenting a Zoom call with Melbourne restaurant co-owners Martin Benn and Vicki Wild.
‘Lockdown double date’: As the day came to an end, Melissa shared a final Instagram Story post documenting a Zoom call with Melbourne restaurant co-owners Martin Benn and Vicki Wild
In the image, a beaming Melissa is seen cuddling up to Rob as they spoke to their friends via video chat.
‘Lockdown double date,’ the caption read.
Romance rumours first emerged last week when Rob uploaded a black-and-white photo of Melissa cooking at home, alongside the caption: ‘Twas phenomenal’.
‘Just the beginning’: Romance rumours first emerged last week when Rob uploaded a black-and-white photo of Melissa cooking at home
At the time, Melissa tellingly commented beneath the photo: ‘Just the beginning [black love-heart emoji].
Melissa announced her split from former husband Joe in December 2020,
‘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,’ she said at the time.
‘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.’
Over: Melissa announced her split from former husband Joe Jones (right) in December 2020
Melissa had previously revealed she married the tattooed bar owner hunk in February 2017 after dating for only five months, because ‘when you know, you know’.
‘I first met him briefly at his bar in Melbourne, Romeo Lane,’ Melissa told TV Week magazine.
‘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.’
‘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,’ she said at the time
The pair dated for just three months when they decided to get engaged.
They then eloped after Melissa filmed SBS’s The Chef’s Line, just two months later.
‘When that wrapped, we went to Joshua Tree in California and eloped. It was all very fun,’ the foodie-turned-TV judge said.
Their story: In June of 2020, Melissa revealed she married the tattooed bar owner hunk in February 2017 after dating for only five months, because ‘when you know, you know’
