Matt Tebbutt joins MasterChef: The Professionals as new judge
It is now confirmed that chef and broadcaster Matt Tebbutt will join MasterChef: The Professionals 2025 as a judge.
Matt, best known as host of Saturday Kitchen and for his work across food television and print, will sit alongside Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti when the next series airs.
About Matt
Before he launched his TV career, Matt started out working as a chef and gained a diploma at Leiths School of Food and Wine in London.
Matt went on to work for some of London’s most prestigious restaurants, including Marco Pierre White at the Oak Room and Criterion, and Alastair Little who he cites as the greatest influence on his cuisine.
In a previous episode of Grilled by The Staff Canteen, editor Cara Houchen was joined by co-host Anna Haugh, chef owner of Myrtle, and Matt Tebbutt.
When asked about his chef credentials and whether or not he was a qualified chef, Matt laughed and said: "F**k you all! Yes, he absolutely is. I think the trouble is, when you appear in blue shirts and jeans on a Saturday morning people forget. A lot of guests don't realise, I don't care, it's part of the job but sometimes it gets forgotten about but that's what you get from messing around on a Saturday mormimg in jeans and shirts, and not whites."
As a professional chef and restauranteur, Matt ran The Foxhunter restaurant in Nantyderry near Usk in South Wales for over 10 years, which won an array of awards including the AA Restaurant of the Year for Wales.
A new chapter for the competition
Speaking about the appointment, he described the opportunity as “an absolute honour” and said he was excited to learn from his fellow judges.
Matt said: “I’m really looking forward to Marcus and Monica taking me under their wing and seeing the chefs get off to a flying start in the competition.”
Marcus welcomed the addition, noting that Matt's experience “speaks for itself”, while Monica called it “really exciting” to have him join the team.
Gregg and John exit amid controversy
The change in the judging line-up comes after a turbulent year for the MasterChef brand. Gregg was dismissed in July following the conclusion of an independent inquiry conducted by an independent law firm, commissioned by production company Banijay.
The investigation upheld 45 allegations against Wallace, including inappropriate comments, unwelcome physical contact, and an incident involving a state of undress. One separate complaint also confirmed Gregg used a severely offensive racist term against co-presenter John Torode, though John has said he had “no recollection” of the remark.
Gregg apologised, saying he was “deeply sorry for any distress” caused but insisted he had “never set out to harm or humiliate anyone.”
Both pesenters have now been dropped from the wider MasterChef franchise.
Stability restored?
For many, Matt represents a safe pair of hands. With his restaurant background, food writing, and extensive on-screen experience, he is seen as a natural fit to bring stability back to the flagship professional spin-off.
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