Grace Dent named MasterChef host as show reopens after scandals

Grace Dent steps into the spotlight as the new host of MasterChef, describing the assignment as her biggest and most important challenge yet. The 51-year-old food critic will pair with Irish chef Anna Haugh to steer the BBC cooking show as they replace longtime hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode, following a wave of misconduct allegations that led to those departures. Dent’s elevation signals a major shift for a franchise that has defined home-cook competition on British television for years, and she frames it as both an opportunity and a heavy responsibility.

Dent told the Daily Mail that nerves are part of the job and that they help power her out of bed ahead of filming. She said the series is “the biggest, most important, iconic cooking show on television,” and stressed that hundreds of home cooks have paused their lives to compete, underscoring the weight of the moment for everyone in the studio. She added that stepping into the MasterChef kitchen means presenting stories and arcs that audiences have come to expect, while cherishing the episode-by-episode journeys of the contestants.

The shakeup at the top of MasterChef comes after Gregg Wallace was dismissed amid misconduct allegations connected to his time on the show, and after John Torode’s exit following separate allegations about racist language from 2018, an accusation he says he does not recollect. The changes arrive as the current series—featuring both Wallace and Torode—continues to draw scrutiny and, in recent weeks, lost nearly one million viewers compared with previous seasons. The new hosting duo will guide the program as production moves forward and viewers anticipate how the format and chemistry will adapt under fresh leadership.

Dent’s collaboration with Anna Haugh has already been framed as a dynamic pairing. Haugh said she is delighted to return to MasterChef and to judge alongside Dent, praising the show’s influence on both home cooks and culinary professionals. Dent, who has spent decades as a celebrated food critic and presenter, also continues her work with Monopoly GO!’s Dough Fest in London, where culinary experimentation meets a real-world festival experience. She described Dough Fest at the Truman Brewery as a space to sample unconventional foods, noting a pastry project with Bread Ahead that features a double chocolate, double mango lassi donut with chilli jam, among other daring desserts. The festival is part of Monopoly GO!’s broader Culinary Season, which includes in-game events and limited-edition creations.

Dent has long balanced criticism and culture with a public persona built on wit and appetite. She described Comfort Eating, her podcast, as a “complete roller coaster,” and noted that guests—ranging from CMAT to Stephen Fry—are drawn into conversations about food that reveal personalities beyond the dinner plate. Asked about dream guests, Dent teased one figure who has often been associated with rock and swagger: Liam Gallagher, quipping that she has wondered what he actually eats since it’s rarely seen in public. The exchange underscored the playful yet serious approach she intends to bring to MasterChef, combining rigor with curiosity about how contestants translate their life experiences into edible creations.

The show’s change in leadership comes as the broader MasterChef brand seeks to refresh its voice while preserving the core appeal of the competition—watching amateur cooks transform ingredients into memorable dishes under the pressure of judging. Torode’s departure and Wallace’s dismissal have reframed expectations for the new format, and Dent acknowledged both the opportunity and the challenge of guiding viewers through new storylines, with a focus on celebrating skill, ambition, and resilience in the kitchen.

Anna Haugh expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with Dent and emphasized the show’s enduring appeal. “MasterChef has long inspired and resonated with cooks in home kitchens and, of course, in my industry. I can’t wait to get into the studio for what will be a great competition,” she said. The pairing signals a careful balance of experience, wit, and a shared commitment to elevating the contestants’ journeys, even as the series navigates a new era in its hosting lineup.

As MasterChef moves forward, viewers will decide how the chemistry between Dent and Haugh compares to the iconic on-screen rapport that defined the show for years. The broader cultural conversation around the program—its handling of past controversy, its ability to adapt, and its continued appeal to fans who crave both drama and culinary education—will continue to unfold in the weeks ahead. Whether the new hosts can retain the series’ sense of wonder while establishing their own identity remains to be seen, but the start of this era is clear: MasterChef is reimagined, and Grace Dent is at the helm.