MasterChef will score three new judges this year, with celebrity chefs Maggie Beer, Curtis Stone and Poh Ling Yeow tipped to take over the hosting duties.

The news comes just hours after it was revealed that Network 10 would not be renewing the contracts for former hosts, Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, citing financial reasons.

All three candidates have spent time in the MasterChef kitchen, either as a contestant, mentor or guest chef.

A MasterChef alumni herself, Poh appeared on the first season of the program, where she came runner up to Julie Goodwin. Since leaving the show, Poh has gone on to publish three cookbooks and host two cooking shows, Poh’s Kitchen and Poh & Co.

One of Australia’s leading culinary figures, Maggie Beer is a well-respected cook and author, as well as a TV judge on The Great Australian Bake Off. She is known for her Pheasant Farm restaurant in the Barossa Valley and her line of gourmet foods.

Curtis, who currently resides in LA, is a Michelin-starred chef with two highly acclaimed restaurants in the US, Maude and Gwen. Over the years, Curtis has appeared on numerous cooking shows, from Surfing the Menu to The Celebrity Apprentice, Top Chef Masters and My Kitchen Rules.

Network 10 has neither confirmed nor denied the rumours.