John Torode returns to public stage at Nottinghamshire food festival after MasterChef sacking

John Torode returned to the public eye this weekend with a two‑day appearance at the Thoresby Park Food Festival near Newark, Nottinghamshire, his first public outing since MasterChef was not renewed on his contract. The BBC and production company Banijay UK said the decision followed an independent investigation into allegations that he used an extremely offensive racist term in 2018. Torode has said he has no recollection of the incident. The 60‑year‑old presenter was accompanied by his wife, Lisa Faulkner, at the event, where he staged two live demonstrations in the festival’s 500‑seat cookery theatre.

At Thoresby Park, Torode — the jovial figure in a blue denim shirt and cream trousers — mingled with fans and walked the site with Faulkner by his side. He drew cheers as he greeted the crowd and, during a walkabout, told supporters, “Life goes on,” adding that he had received a great deal of backing. After a warm reception, he returned to the stage for his first demonstration of the day in front of a packed audience.

During the two demonstrations, Torode cooked pan‑fried scallops with a Greek skordalia, a potato, cream, garlic and parsley dip, and an oven‑baked tomato and shallot pastry pie. He did not reference MasterChef, his former on‑screen partner Gregg Wallace, or the BBC while on stage, choosing instead to focus on his craft and the event’s atmosphere. The chef appeared relaxed and joked with the audience, noting that different vegetables have their own personalities and quipping, “I sound bonkers, don’t I!”

Fans lined up to meet the star and purchase copies of their new cookbook, John and Lisa’s Kitchen, priced at £22. Lisa Faulkner, wearing jeans and an olive‑green quilted jacket, told Daily Mail readers that it was “fantastic to see John on the stage. He’s brilliant and so charismatic.” The couple later signed copies in a meet‑and‑greet that drew a steady stream of fans.

The Thoresby Park event — the 12th annual edition — featured more than 150 traders and street‑food sellers. Other well‑known chefs appeared during the two days, including Simon Rimmer, Rosemary Shrager, Chris Baber and Chris Bavin, who acted as weekend host. In the crowd, attendees offered support for Torode and discussed the circumstances surrounding his MasterChef exit. One retailer recalled that the marquee was packed and that Torode received the biggest round of applause of the day.

The festival’s organizers declined to address the ongoing controversy directly, but a source close to the event said Torode had been “hung out to dry” and that he was focusing on being back in public with friends nearby. The source added that Lisa Faulkner’s presence was a stabilizing and supportive influence for her husband as he navigated his return to the spotlight.

The MasterChef situation has continued to unfold in other ways. BBC and Banijay UK announced that new stars would join MasterChef and its spin‑offs in the wake of the controversy. Grace Dent will return as a permanent judge on the main program, while Irish-born chef Anna Haugh replaced Gregg Wallace in the latest episodes. In addition, BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt, now 51, was announced as the new presenter of MasterChef: The Professionals, alongside Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti for the 18th series. The current MasterChef season, which features a reduced role for Torode and Wallace, has faced viewer decline after the upheaval, underscoring the show’s challenge in balancing legacy and new formats.

As Torode’s Nottinghamshire appearance wrapped, attendees described a buoyant atmosphere that underscored the chef’s enduring popularity on the UK culinary circuit. Organizers and participants noted that Torode’s return was a high‑point for fans who had followed his career for decades and wanted to see him back on stage after a difficult period. One longtime supporter said, “John’s a lovely guy and this is the first time back in public since everything happened.”

Torode reminded the audience of his extensive cooking career, noting he has been a professional chef for 43 years. He closed his session with gratitude for the chance to cook again in front of a crowd and for the sunshine that accompanied the festival, saying, “I’ve loved this. This has been really good fun. Thank you very much. Enjoy the sunshine.”