Ever since chef Monica Galetti announced she was stepping down, we’ve all been wondering who the replacement will be.
Galetti was a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals for 14 years, but has decided to step back from this year’s series to focus on her family and her restaurant, Mere. She said in an Instagram post, “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 the meantime though, it’s just been announced who will take up the mantle, alongside Gregg Wallace and Marcus Wareing. Anna Haugh, chef-patron of Myrtle in Chelsea, will be Monica’s replacement for series 15 of the show.
Haugh had this to say about the opportunity: "MasterChef has an impeccable reputation and legacy within the hospitality industry. I have long-admired Monica as an incredible chef and she's paved the way for female chefs. It's a privilege to be keeping her seat warm in the MasterChef kitchen."
Haugh started at L’Ecrivain in Dublin, before moving to Paris to work for the late Gualtiero Marchesi, widely considered the founding father of modern Italian cuisine. From there, she moved to London to work at Pied a Terre, eventually becoming head chef at London House for Gordon Ramsay.
In 2019, she opened her own restaurant, Myrtle, named after the award-winning Irish chef Myrtle Allen.
This will by no means be Haugh’s first TV appearance. The Irish chef regularly appears on Morning Live and Ready Steady Cook, and has previously been on MasterChef as a guest judge.
"Anna brings a wealth of culinary expertise and experience to the competition, and we're delighted to welcome her as a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals," said David Ambler, executive editor of the show.
Sarah Clay, commissioning editor of the BBC, said "Anna is a wonderful addition to the MasterChef family, her food knowledge is exceptional. I'm looking forward to seeing her critiques and bringing her warmth and enthusiasm to the kitchen."
Fan of the show? Check out our guide to MasterChef 2022