MasterChef: The Professionals Returns with Fresh Judging Lineup
The acclaimed culinary competition MasterChef: The Professionals has made its highly anticipated return to television screens, launching its eighteenth season with a significant change to its judging panel. Saturday Kitchen presenter Matt Tebbutt has officially joined the show as a new judge, stepping into the kitchen alongside established culinary experts Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti. This marks a new chapter for the series following the departure of previous judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
Controversial Exits Pave Way for New Talent
The BBC cooking show faced considerable turmoil last year, leading to the exits of both Gregg Wallace and John Torode. Wallace was dismissed from the programme after an internal investigation substantiated 45 out of 83 complaints made against him. Meanwhile, Torode was also removed by the BBC following allegations that he used an extremely offensive racist term, as reported by Wales Online. In a public statement, Torode claimed he had no recollection of the incident, confirming that his final appearance would be in the pre-recorded series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside Grace Dent, who is among the new presenters for the civilian version of MasterChef.
Matt Tebbutt's Debut Met with Enthusiastic Reception
Matt Tebbutt made his judging debut on the premiere episode, which aired on Tuesday, 10 February 2026. Introducing the new season, Marcus Wareing announced to viewers: Good to see you both, new competition, new kitchen and we have a new judge, welcome Matt! Tebbutt responded warmly, stating: Thank you very much, great to be here, great to be a part of the MasterChef family. He further described his approach, saying: I'd like to see myself as the nice guy of the outfit, I've run kitchens before, run my own, I know the pressure that these guys are under. Wareing humorously cautioned him: Strap yourself in Matt, this is going to be a journey.
Viewer Reactions and Social Media Buzz
Audiences have already expressed widespread approval of Tebbutt's addition to the show. On social media platforms, fans shared their positive impressions:
- I think Matt Tebbutt will fit in nicely, he's popular with viewers and he knows his craft.
- Like Matt tbf think he'll be good for this show.
- Matt Tebbutt is a great addition to the kitchen.
- Professional Masterchef is back and Matt is off and running! Excellent!
The return of the series itself was also celebrated, with one viewer exclaiming: It's finally back! while another echoed: Masterchef The Professionals is back! Great telly.
Behind the Scenes: Tebbutt's Excitement and Insights
Ahead of the premiere, Matt Tebbutt shared his enthusiasm for joining the MasterChef franchise. He revealed: I'm walking through the MasterChef doors for the first time myself and I cannot wait to see the cooking talent this year's chefs are bringing into the kitchen. I want to be wowed from the off, but it will take some serious work to get through the competition that awaits them. Reflecting on his experience filming the series, Tebbutt added: 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.
When asked about what stood out during production, he emphasized the dedication of the competing chefs: The thing that stood out for me was just how invested these chefs are and how much work goes into it for them outside of filming. The chefs have got their family life, they've got their restaurant, or whatever their business is, so they're dealing with that as well throughout. They've got to go away and practice their dishes and their skills on top of everything else. And then they have to come back and, you know, produce the goods in front of the three of us, or the critics and then some, once they progress.
Tebbutt concluded with admiration for the contestants' commitment: Their commitment was clear and it was also clear to see how much they changed from week one to week seven - the progression was enormous. You could easily think of MasterChef that, yes, it's just a TV show. But for these chefs, it's so much more than that. There's a lot at stake. And they take it very, very seriously. And it's really good to see!
Continuing the Culinary Journey
MasterChef: The Professionals continues its eighteenth season with new episodes airing on Wednesday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The series promises to deliver high-stakes culinary challenges, expert judging, and the intense pressure that has made it a beloved fixture in British television.
