Restaurant critic Grace Dent has now taken on a significant role as the new judge for "Celebrity MasterChef." This comes after Gregg Wallace's departure due to historical misconduct allegations. Dent, a familiar face on the BBC cooking competition for over a decade, will join John Torode on the judging panel for the show's upcoming 20th series. The franchise has been through a turbulent time, with the BBC pulling its Christmas specials following Wallace's controversial response to misconduct claims.

Her Connection to the Show

Dent expressed her deep connection to the show, saying, "I've been watching 'MasterChef' since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa. My whole family watches it. It's all about uncovering and championing talent, and to have ended up in this position is more than a dream to me." This shows her genuine passion for the show and her belief in its mission.

Her Culinary Credentials

Dent brings a wealth of culinary credentials to the role. She has an award-winning restaurant review column for The Guardian and has hosted the celebrity food podcast "Comfort Eating" for nine seasons. She also previously competed in "MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023" and has authored more than 20 books. These achievements demonstrate her expertise in the culinary world.

Torode's Praise

John Torode added his voice of support, saying, "I have loved working with Grace on 'MasterChef' over the years. She has been an excellent guest, an inspiring critic and also set some incredible challenges." This shows the respect and admiration between the two judges and highlights Dent's contribution to the show.

The BBC's Perspective

The BBC's head of entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight, called Dent "the perfect choice," citing her established presence on the "MasterChef" team and reputation as a "world renowned food critic." This shows that the BBC recognizes Dent's value and believes she will bring a new dimension to the show.The new season of "Celebrity MasterChef" with Dent is set to air in 2025, and fans are eagerly anticipating the new judging panel and the culinary challenges that lie ahead.