If you tuned into Celebrity MasterChef 2025 (Season 20) premiere last night (November 17 on BBC One), you know one thing for sure: Grace Dent has arrived – and she’s exactly what the show needed after a turbulent year.

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The award-winning Guardian restaurant critic, podcaster, and I’m A Celebrity alum stepped in as permanent judge alongside John Torode, bringing sophistication, razor-sharp wit, and genuine food expertise to the iconic kitchen.

No more “the bald man’s” endless “cooking doesn’t get tougher than this” – Grace’s style is all about “narrative,” “storytelling,” and plates that evoke emotion. Early verdict from fans? An overwhelming upgrade!

Who Is Grace Dent? The Critic Turned Judge

Born in Cumbria in 1973 (52 this year), Grace Dent has been a food writing powerhouse for decades. She’s the Guardian’s restaurant critic since 2018 (previously Evening Standard), author of 11 novels and the memoir Hungry, and host of the hit podcast Comfort Eating with Grace Dent.

TV fans know her from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (2023, where she left on medical grounds) and regular MasterChef guest spots as the notoriously tough critic. She’s been sober for over three years (as shared in a 2025 HELLO! interview) and credits it with giving her clarity – perfect for spotting a soggy bottom from a mile away.

Grace has long been a MasterChef superfan: “I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa,” she said upon her appointment.

How Grace Dent Replaced Gregg Wallace: The 2024-2025 Drama Timeline

• November 2024: Gregg Wallace steps away amid historical misconduct allegations (13+ complaints across shows).
• December 2024: BBC announces Grace Dent as his replacement for Celebrity MasterChef 2025, calling her “the perfect person” with “unquestionable expertise.”
• Grace’s Reaction: “I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic. I feel very lucky… I can’t wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025.”
• John Torode’s Praise: “The love of food, the love of MasterChef, and that unquestionable expertise makes Grace the perfect person to step in.”
• Bigger Changes: This Celebrity series (filmed earlier) is Torode’s last (he exited post-filming over separate allegations). From 2026, Grace pairs with Irish chef Anna Haugh for the first all-female regular MasterChef duo.

Why Grace? Her decades terrifying pros on Critics’ Week made her the obvious choice – witty, fair, and deeply knowledgeable.

Grace Dent vs Gregg Wallace: A Judging Style Showdown

Grace is the anti-Gregg – thoughtful and literary where he was boisterous and basic.

Fans on X are loving it: “Finally a judge who can string a sentence together!”

Grace Dent & John Torode: Surprising Chemistry in Week 1

Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, their on-screen dynamic works – John’s technical breakdowns complement Grace’s storytelling. Early episodes show them bouncing off each other seamlessly, with Grace’s northern warmth softening John’s Aussie directness. Looking ahead to her 2026 pairing with Anna Haugh? Viewers are buzzing about the “all-female energy” refresh.

Grace Dent’s Best Moments & Quotes from Week 1 So Far

Episode 1 (November 17) introduced the cloche reveal and street food challenges – Grace wasted no time with her signature flair:

• On Gaz Choudhry’s spiced haggis bonbons: “A hug on a plate with real skill shown… beautiful plating.”
• On Ginger Johnson’s bold creation: “Darling, this is giving me camp cabaret realness – I love it.”
• General vibe: Heavy on “narrative” and “generosity,” praising risks that “tell a story.”

Episode 2 airs tonight (November 18, 8 PM GMT) – expect more theatrical metaphors! Grace admitted pre-series she was “terrified and thrilled,” even tearing up over a contestant’s autumnal venison dish during filming.

Fan & Critic Reactions: “The Upgrade We Needed”

Overnight X sentiment? 85%+ positive:

• “Grace Dent is breathing new life into MasterChef – finally a proper critic!”
• “No more beige commentary – Grace’s wit is everything.”
  Critics agree: iNews called her “the anti-Gregg Wallace,” praising her softly spoken insight.

What’s Next for Grace Dent on MasterChef?

This Celebrity series runs Mon-Wed for six weeks, plus Christmas specials. Then, 2026 brings regular MasterChef with Grace and Anna Haugh – a historic all-female duo poised to modernize the franchise.

Grace Dent’s Celebrity MasterChef 2025 judge role proves expertise wins every time. Her debut week? Sophisticated, heartfelt, and hilarious – the show feels reborn. Which Grace quote is your favorite so far? Comment below! Subscribe for weekly recaps, and check our [MasterChef 2025 Hub] for contestant breakdowns.

Grace Dent’s Net Worth & Masterchef Salary

As of November 2025, Grace Dent‘s net worth is estimated to be between £3 million and £5 million (approximately $3.8–6.3 million USD), primarily accumulated through her long-standing career as The Guardian’s restaurant critic, bestselling authorship (including memoirs like Hungry and her popular podcast Comfort Eating), broadcasting appearances, and previous TV guest spots.

Her high-profile appointment as the permanent judge on Celebrity MasterChef 2025 (replacing Gregg Wallace) and upcoming co-judging role on the regular MasterChef series from 2026 alongside Anna Haugh is expected to significantly boost her earnings.

While exact figures for her MasterChef salary remain undisclosed by the BBC, industry estimates for lead judges on similar flagship shows suggest an annual pay in the range of £200,000–£500,000 (potentially higher for the refreshed format), marking a substantial increase from her prior guest critic fees and further solidifying her financial growth in the coming years.

(Article updated live with Episode 1 insights – more quotes after tonight!)