Monica Galetti Steps Down as MasterChef Judge
Monica Galetti is stepping away from MasterChef after 14 years.
© Shutterstock
Monica Galetti is stepping away from MasterChef after 14 years.
© Shutterstock
The 46-year-old Samoan-born chef has been part of the judging trio for the last 14 years, joining initially with Michel Roux Jr and Gregg Wallace.
"It’s with sadness that we announce that Monica Galetti will be temporarily stepping down from judging for the next series of #MasterChefTheProfessionals to focus on the increasing demands of her restaurant and to support her family," MasterChef tweeted on April 20.
David Ambler, the executive editor of MasterChefUK, said: “Monica is one of the most talented chefs of her generation, and we fully support her decision. We have worked together closely for the past 14 years and regard Monica as an integral member of the MasterChef family."
MasterChef success
Galetti was brought up in New Zealand and moved to Britain in 1999 to work alongside Michel Roux Jnr at Le Gavroche in London. She became a household name in 2008 when she became a judge on Masterchef: The Professionals and has gone on to co-present BBC2’s Amazing Hotels – Life Beyond the Lobby.
She is married to French-born sommelier David Galetti, with whom she opened a London restaurant, Mere, in Fitzrovia in 2017. Galetti has also written two books: Monica’s Kitchen and The Skills.
The MasterChef format has been a huge success around the world, with 58 territorities launching their own version of the programme and more than 300 million viewers worldwide.
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