Culinary expert Marcus Wareing has signed up to become a new judge on MasterChef: The Professionals, replacing Michell Roux Jr, who quit the series due to a “conflict in commercial interests” and later complained that “negotiating with the BBC can be a frustrating process”.
Marcus, (who has two Michelin stars, winning his first when he was just 25) is set to join Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace on the panel when the show returns later this year.
Marcus began his career when he was 18 at The Savoy, already runs two restaurants in London and will soon be opening his third (Tredwell’s) in September.
“I have been watching MasterChef since I was a young kid at catering college, and in more recent years I have enjoyed an established relationship with the programme,” he said.
“To now become part of the show is hugely exciting for me; to be asked is a true honour. Michel has left big shoes to fill and I am delighted to be working with Monica and Gregg on a new journey of discovery to find the next generation of Michelin-starred chefs.”
Monica described Marcus as “an incredibly talented chef”. Greg named him “one of the outstanding chefs of my era”, and added: “He has complete and utter respect throughout the industry. My only query is will he have a beard or not!”
MasterChef: The Professionals will start its seventh series this autumn on BBC 2.