CONTENT WARNING: This article touches on topics which may be triggering for some readers. Help is available.
Food critic, author and media personality, Melissa Leong has made a statement following the recent allegations made against her co-host on Taste of Art.
Her statement comes following TVNZ’s decision to pull the show from its streaming services. This follows reports of misconduct by Melissa’s co-host, celebrated chef Vaughan Mabee.
On 3 May, New Zealand outlet The Press reported that Chef Mabee allegedly assaulted a colleague from Amisfield (Arrowtown winery’s restaurant) and created a toxic work environment for staff. Further allegations in the same report include alcohol abuse, inappropriate comments to staff and physical aggression.
Chef Mabee has since apologised to staff in a statement to The Press and has stepped down to “focus on my personal health issues and being a present and loving father to my family.”
Melissa Leong signed on to Taste of Art in 2025. The former MasterChef Australia judge was excited at the time of the announcement of the project.
“It is an honour to be invited over to dive into Aotearoa’s kai, it truly unlocked a new level of appreciation and respect for land, produce and culture,” Melissa said at the time.
“It was a total joy to spend time in Aotearoa making my first NZ TV show Taste of Art, with my pal, one of the most impressive chefs this side of the world, Chef Vaughan Mabee, and to experience the calibre of culinary talent on offer here,” she said on the wrap of the show in April, 2026.
However, since the show wrapped for the season, the allegations emerged.
Following the reports, Melissa, herself a survivor of abuse, said that it would “feel like a betrayal” if she didn’t speak up.
Melissa Leong’s statement on Taste of Art:
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.
And so it is with great disappointment that the show’s resounding success has been hampered by such unfortunate circumstances these past weeks.
As a victim-survivor, it would feel like a betrayal to me if I did not say something about the situation at hand, and it’s this:
We need to listen when women speak up, because it isn’t without fear, trepidation and personal cost when we do so.
As the situation is still unfolding, this is as far as I will speak on this subject. I trust you will all act with consideration and respect for each other.
Much kindness to you all, and I look forward to seeing you onscreen before too long.
Melissa
If this story causes distress, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can also chat online at lifeline.org.au
Editor’s Amendment: An earlier version of this article stated that Melissa Leong is leaving Taste of Art. This is incorrect.
