Melissa Leong speaks out after show Taste of Art axed in wake of co-host Vaughan Mabee misconduct allegations

Former MasterChef judge Melissa Leong has spoken out after her new cooking show was axed just days before it was due to air on SBS.

The TV show, Taste of Art New Zealand, has been thrown into controversy following complaints about Leong’s co-star Vaughan Mabee’s alleged aggressive and inappropriate behaviour towards women in the workplace.

According to Radio NZ, Mabee was an executive chef at Queenstown restaurant Amisfield until late last year. He was stood down from the kitchen while he was investigated for alleged misconduct.

The series had been due to premiere on SBS Food before the broadcaster confirmed it would not air the acquired New Zealand program “at this time”.

“SBS will not broadcast the acquired series Taste of Art New Zealand at this time,” SBS said in a statement.

“This decision follows allegations of misconduct concerning the program’s co-host, Vaughan Mabee. Mr Mabee has issued a formal public apology in response to these allegations.”

In the wake of the show’s axing, Leong took to social media with a statement about the situation, saying she was “disappointed”.

“I signed on to helm Taste of Art last year, excited and honoured to contribute to a show that celebrates the highest potential in cuisine artistry, as well as the tradition, culture and kai that Aotearoa is renowned for the world over,” she said on Instagram.

“And so it is with great disappointment that the show’s resounding success has been hampered by such unfortunate circumstances these past weeks. That disappointment is shared by the rest of the cast, crew, production and partners, all of whom put such love, energy and trust into making a hit.

“As a victim-survivor, it would feel like a betrayal to me if I did not say something about the situation at hand.

“We need to listen when women speak up, because it isn’t without fear, trepidation and personal cost when we do so.

“Much kindness to you all, and I look forward to seeing you before too long.”

Leong has previously revealed she was sexually assaulted while working in the hospitality industry many years ago.

Sources close to Leong told Daily Mail that the beloved TV host was disappointed at being associated with such a scandal.

“This was supposed to be an important reset project for Melissa,” they said. “Instead, it’s become another setback tied to controversy and bad timing.”

“It’s incredibly unfortunate timing for Melissa,” another source claimed.

“She had nothing to do with the allegations, but from a public perception standpoint, this becomes another project associated with disappointment and instability.”

Mabee apologised for his past behaviour in a media statement earlier this week saying he “let my team, myself and my family down”.

“I unreservedly apologise to former colleagues for my inappropriate behaviour to them or any inconsiderate comments made,” he said.

It comes after Leong departed MasterChef as a judge after the 2023 season but stayed with Network 10 to host the spin-off series called Dessert Masters.

SBS has not indicated if Taste of Art will air in the future.