Television chef and MasterChef: The Professionals judge Monica Galetti has confirmed that she is stepping down from her role as a judge and will not be returning to the BBC cooking show next series.
Galetti has been a member of the judging panel for the last 14 years, joining the show originally in 2009 with Michel Roux Jr and Gregg Wallace, and more recently with Marcus Wareing who took over from Michel Roux Jr in 2014.
The 47-year-old chef explained in a recent statement that she has decided to step down from the role in order to focus on her family and restaurant, Mere. She said: ‘It’s with a heavy heart that I have made this decision to step back from filming this year’s series of MasterChef: The Professionals.’’
“My family need me, my restaurant needs me and trying to balance long filming days over the next three months with all these commitments meant that something had to give.
“So, for the moment, my focus has to be 100% about my loved ones and rebuilding my kitchen team who have had a battering over the last few months especially. Those in the hospitality industry know just how tough it is at the moment.
“To my MasterChef family, crew and friends, I’m so sorry that I won’t be with you this year but I hope to be back soon.”
In response to Galetti’s heartwarming statement on Instagram, the MasterChef team wished her the best for the future.
''Monica is one of the most talented chefs of her generation, we have worked together closely for the past 14 years and regard her as an integral member of the MasterChef family. Our hope is this situation is just for this season and the door is always open for her to return.”
No details have yet been released as to who will replace Galetti for the 15th series of MasterChef: The Professionals.
In other foodie news, Sabor has just pulled out of Arcade Food Hall at Centre Point