Grace Dent confirmed as new Masterchef judge as first look image is released

First look at Grace Dent alongside John Torode on Masterchef 2025 set

Grace Dent has been announced as a judge for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, joining John Torode on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

An award-winning restaurant critic, Grace has been a familiar face on MasterChef for over a decade, appearing regularly as a guest and even competing in MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023.

Beyond her role on the show, Grace is a best-selling author and a chart-topping podcaster, with a 15-year career in journalism. She has also been a prominent figure in food-focused TV and radio programs for the past decade.

As she gears up to judge the 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside John, Grace shared her excitement: “I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a young girl sitting on the sofa with my dad. My whole family loves it. For me, it’s always been about discovering and celebrating talent. To now find myself in this role is more than a dream come true. I’m so thrilled, I can barely eat—an unusual problem for a restaurant critic! I feel incredibly fortunate to step into this role for the next Celebrity MasterChef, and I can’t wait to meet the new celebrity contestants in 2025.”

John Torode expressed his enthusiasm about working with Grace: “I’ve enjoyed collaborating with Grace on MasterChef over the years. She’s been a fantastic guest, an inspiring critic, and has set some truly challenging tasks. MasterChef is all about expertise—from the contestants to the production team and us as judges. Grace embodies that love for food and mastery, making her the ideal co-judge for the upcoming Celebrity MasterChef series.”

David Ambler, Executive Editor of MasterChef, added: “Grace’s expertise, sharp wit, and discerning palate will be invaluable additions to the judging panel. The celebrities better bring their A-game for this series. We’re delighted to have Grace back in 2025 as we crown the next Celebrity MasterChef champion.”

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, also praised Grace’s appointment: “Grace Dent is a brilliant choice for the next Celebrity MasterChef. She’s a dynamic and well-loved member of the MasterChef family and a world-renowned food critic, ensuring the celebrity contestants will be kept on their toes.”

Grace currently writes an award-winning restaurant review column for The Guardian and has hosted nine seasons of the popular podcast Comfort Eating. A best-selling author of more than 20 books, including her memoir Hungry, Grace has also contributed to food writing for the Evening Standard. Additionally, she has fronted various TV and radio programs, from hosting on BBC Radio 2 during the festive season to presenting BBC Radio 4’s The Untold and BBC Four’s What We Were Watching.

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