The Meghan ''Junior MasterChef Australia' announcement was officially confirmed by Australian broadcaster Network 10 ahead of its annual upfronts showcase. The Duchess of Sussex will appear as a special guest co-host alongside celebrated chef and judge Poh Ling Yeow.
The agreement marks the return of the popular children’s culinary competition after a six-year hiatus. The series, which features young home cooks aged nine to 13, is scheduled to film in Melbourne and air nationally in 2027.
The high-profile television booking represents the latest step in the Duchess’s media portfolio. It follows her earlier guest appearance on the adult version of the franchise, which generated significant ratings across Australian screens.
An Easy Yes for the Duchess of Sussex
In an official statement released by the network, the Duchess expressed excitement about mentoring young culinary hopefuls. She pointed to her personal passion for home cooking with her own children as a central motivation for joining the show.
"When they approached me to come back and work with this young group of talent, it was an easy yes," the Duchess 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."
Co-host Poh Ling Yeow welcomed the reunion, describing their earlier collaborative filming sessions as a treat. Yeow noted she anticipates remarkable cooking and playful energy from the incoming young contestants.
Ratings Success Drives Franchise Reboot
The decision to expand the Meghan Junior MasterChef Australia partnership builds directly upon a proven ratings surge. The Duchess previously filmed a guest judging appearance during a four-day visit to Australia with Prince Harry in April.
When that episode aired on Network 10, it pulled in the network’s largest Sunday audience since 2023. Executive producers moved quickly to capitalize on that viewer engagement by reviving the dormant junior edition.
Production is scheduled to begin in Melbourne around May, immediately after filming wraps on the flagship adult season. The shoot is anticipated to run for approximately two to three weeks.
Expanding Media Ventures Beyond Royal Duties
The cooking show announcement marks Meghan’s first confirmed broadcast commitment since she and Prince Harry relocated their primary residence from California back to the United Kingdom.
The project aligns with the Duchess’s growing focus on food, lifestyle, and hospitality content. Alongside her commercial media ventures, she has developed lifestyle programming and culinary concepts for international streaming audiences.
Broadcaster Network 10 did not disclose financial terms regarding the booking. However, the high-profile assignment confirms that the Meghan Junior MasterChef Australia partnership will serve as a centerpiece of the network's prime-time entertainment strategy heading into 2027.
