BBC names Giorgio Locatelli as Celebrity MasterChef judge

The BBC has announced that Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Giorgio Locatelli will join Grace Dent as a new judge on the upcoming series of Celebrity MasterChef. The 21st celebrity series, which has already been filmed, is scheduled to air this summer.

Locatelli, who has been a judge on the Italian version of MasterChef since 2018, described joining the UK show as a real honor. He said he looks forward to viewers seeing what the celebrity contestants bring to the kitchen, noting that the series puts their culinary skills to the test. His co-judge, Grace Dent, called Locatelli a fabulous addition to the team, stating she is a longtime admirer of his work and is excited to combine their shared passion for food.

Speaking on the Table Manners podcast, Locatelli revealed details of his judging style, describing himself as a "bad cop" who is strict about cleanliness and organization. He reflected on the filming experience, noting that working with celebrities differs from working with aspiring professional chefs, but he enjoyed seeing their growth. Locatelli also observed a pattern among contestants, stating that people from entertainment backgrounds often struggled with time...