Tens across the board! MasterChef judge Melissa Leong uses a drag reference and fans are loving it

‘Tens across the board!’ Judge Melissa Leong uses a drag reference on MasterChef: Back to Win and fans admit they ‘couldn’t love her more’

Masterchef Australia: Back To Win judge Melissa Leong surprised fans after using a drag reference on Wednesday night’s episode. 

‘Tens across the board,’ Melissa, 38, declared after tasting contestant Brendan Pang’s Dan Dan noodles.

Fans were thrilled to hear Melissa use the iconic line, originally made famous in the 1991 documentary Paris Is Burning, and later referenced on the competition series RuPaul’s Drag Race.  

Tens across the board! On Wednesday, judge Melissa Leong (pictured) used an iconic drag reference on MasterChef Australia and fans loved it

‘Melissa is perfect for this show. Please never get rid of her and let her keep making drag references,’ one fan wrote on Twitter. 

Another added: ‘Genuinely wasn’t expecting a PARIS IS BURNING ref on Masterchef.’ 

‘Love the Drag Race references on MasterChef,’ a third said. 

‘Drag reference on Masterchef, Melissa I honestly didn’t think I could love you more,’  another Twitter user added.  

'Melissa is perfect for this show': Fans were thrilled to hear her use the iconic line, originally made famous in the 1991 documentary on drag queen ballroom culture Paris Is Burning

‘Melissa is perfect for this show’: Fans were thrilled to hear her use the iconic line, originally made famous in the 1991 documentary on drag queen ballroom culture Paris Is Burning

‘OMG YES SIS TENS ACROSS THE BOARD GARY MEHIGAN COULD NEVER,’ another elated fan posted. 

Even contestant Khan Ong got in on the excitement, writing out the full quote and adding a gif of RuPaul. 

Masterchef fans appear to have a newfound appreciation for Melissa, after she was absent from Monday night’s episode.    

Snap: 'OMG YES SIS TENS ACROSS THE BOARD GARY MEHIGAN COULD NEVER,' another fan Tongue popposted

Snap: ‘OMG YES SIS TENS ACROSS THE BOARD GARY MEHIGAN COULD NEVER,’ another fan posted

Melissa quickly explained her absence on the night was due to a bout of sinusitis.

The absence of the bubbly judge was sorely felt by viewers, with many voicing their concerns on Twitter. 

One person wrote: ‘Really feeling the lack of Melissa. It makes you realise how crucial she has been to reviving the show. She is the salt that seasons and lifts the dish that is this show.’ 

So good! Even contestant Khan Ong got in on the excitement, writing out the full quote and adding a gif of RuPaul (pictured)

So good! Even contestant Khan Ong got in on the excitement, writing out the full quote and adding a gif of RuPaul (pictured) 

Another added: ‘Food for thought: Melissa’s absence tonight goes to show just how much vibrancy, life and joy she injects into #MasterChefAU. Beyond her impeccable fashion, she allures with her words’.   

‘Where is Melissa? Everyone needs her ability to form emotive, constructively critical and descriptive sentences with her words,’ a third wrote.

Others said it was ‘no fun’ without Melissa and that the other judges, were ‘falling a bit flat without her’.  

MasterChef continues Thursday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten  

'It makes you realise how crucial she has been to reviving the show': Masterchef fans appear to have a newfound appreciation for Melissa, after she was absent from Monday night's episode

‘It makes you realise how crucial she has been to reviving the show’: Masterchef fans appear to have a newfound appreciation for Melissa, after she was absent from Monday night’s episode