Matt Tebbutt Embarks on New Role as Judge on MasterChef: The Professionals
Television personality and Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt has officially taken on a significant new position as a judge on the beloved BBC culinary competition, MasterChef: The Professionals. Tebbutt steps into the role previously held by Gregg Wallace, who departed the show last year following an investigation into misconduct allegations.
A Joyful Transition to the Judging Panel
In his new capacity, Tebbutt joins esteemed culinary figures Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti on the panel for the programme's eighteenth series, which premieres on Tuesday, February 10. Reflecting on his experience thus far, Tebbutt expressed immense enthusiasm, stating, "It's been a joy. I've loved every minute, and these two next to me have been so supportive. I’ve become so invested in the chefs and their progress and how they’ve changed throughout the series."
He further revealed unexpected emotional dimensions to the judging process, noting, "There were elements I found very emotional, which I was quite surprised at. Again, it goes along the same lines of becoming invested in these chefs, and then hearing their stories and how much they've got riding on it. That was the most surprising thing for me and really resonated beyond just delivering a dish. There’s so much more to it."
A New Era for the Show with Fresh Challenges
Marcus Wareing highlighted that this season marks "a new era in a way," citing not only Tebbutt's addition but also the show's relocation from London to a new studio in Birmingham. Over the course of seven weeks, thirty-two ambitious professional chefs will compete for the championship title, facing a series of rigorous tests designed to push their culinary skills to the limit.
The competition introduces an unprecedented challenge at the outset, with the infamous skills test being set by former champions and finalists of MasterChef: The Professionals. Joining the judges for these tests are:
- 2016 champion Gary Maclean
- 2020 finalist and cookbook author Philli Armitage-Mattin
- 2022 champion Nikita Pathakji
- 2018 finalist and cookbook author Matthew Ryle
Subsequent rounds will feature leading food critics, writers, and restaurateurs returning to evaluate dishes during the quarter-finals. Challenges throughout the series will include creating a No Waste Dish, which utilises every part of a chosen ingredient, and mastering Thai cuisine.
Background on the Judge Replacement
Gregg Wallace's exit from the show followed an investigation that upheld forty-five out of eighty-three accusations of alleged misconduct, primarily concerning inappropriate language and humour. Wallace issued a public apology, expressing that he was "deeply sorry for any distress caused" and emphasised that he had "never set out to harm or humiliate."
MasterChef: The Professionals returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer, promising viewers an engaging season with fresh perspectives and high-stakes culinary battles, all under the watchful eyes of its revamped judging panel.
