Restaurant critic Grace Dent has been appointed as the brand new decide for “Superstar MasterChef,” entering into the function vacated by Gregg Wallace following his departure amid historic misconduct allegations.

Dent, who has been an everyday visitor on the BBC cooking competitors for over a decade, will be part of John Torode on the judging panel for the present’s upcoming twentieth collection. The announcement comes throughout a turbulent interval for the franchise, which noticed the BBC pull its Christmas specials following Wallace’s controversial response to misconduct allegations.

“I’ve been watching ‘MasterChef’ since I used to be a woman sitting with my dad on the couch,” Dent stated. “My entire household watches it. It’s all about uncovering and championing expertise and to have ended up on this place, is greater than a dream to me.”

Torode added: “I’ve cherished working with Grace on ‘MasterChef’ through the years. She has been a wonderful visitor, an inspiring critic and in addition set some unimaginable challenges.”

Dent brings important culinary credentials to the function, together with an award-winning restaurant evaluate column for The Guardian and 9 seasons internet hosting the movie star meals podcast “Consolation Consuming.” She beforehand competed in “MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023” and has authored greater than 20 books.

The BBC’s head of leisure, Kalpna Patel-Knight, referred to as Dent “the right selection,” citing her established presence on the “MasterChef” workforce and popularity as a “world famend meals critic.”

The appointment follows Wallace’s step-back from the present after BBC Information investigated allegations of inappropriate sexual feedback by 13 individuals who labored with him throughout 5 exhibits between 2005 and 2022. Manufacturing firm Banijay U.Ok. is conducting an investigation into the claims, which Wallace’s attorneys say are “totally false.”

The brand new season of “Superstar MasterChef” with Dent is ready to air in 2025.