‘Listen when women speak up’: Why Melissa Leong’s new show was pulled from SBS

Former MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong has urged audiences to “listen when women speak up”, following allegations of misconduct made against her co-host on the New Zealand food show Taste of Art. The new series was pulled from local broadcaster SBS before its first episode was due to air last Thursday.

“Taste of Art New Zealand did not premiere on SBS as originally scheduled,” a spokesperson confirmed to this masthead. “This decision follows allegations of misconduct concerning the program’s co-host Vaughan Mabee.”

Leong posted a statement on social media on Wednesday about the situation, writing: “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.”

The food-writer-turned-TV-personality last year wrote about her experience of sexual assault while working in hospitality, inspired to speak out by the “great reckoning” against abuse in the industry.

Mabee resigned from his position as head chef at celebrated Queenstown restaurant Amisfield in February. The The New Zealand Herald reported he had been the subject of complaints about bullying and lewd behaviour towards female staff.

Mabee, who has been contacted for comment, told Christchurch newspaper The Press that he “let my team, myself and my family down” and he “unreservedly apologised” to former colleagues for “my inappropriate behaviour to them or any inconsiderate comments made … I am truly sorry for any harm or offence”.

He added: “I would just hope that anyone who reads these articles will understand that I am a human. And take into account that those of us who strive for outrageous goals sometimes have difficult journeys because of the stress and pressure that accompany those goals. I just hope that my redemption, in the long run, will be as compelling as my foibles.”

The chef also said he left the restaurant to “focus on my personal health issues and being a present and loving father to my family”.

Taste of Art, a new competition series where some of the country’s best chefs produce “edible art”, has also been pulled from streaming on TVNZ. SBS did not comment on whether it would be available in Australia at a later date.

Production company Screentime New Zealand has been contacted for comment about the future of the series, but at the time of writing the show has been removed from their website.

Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.