Monica Galetti leaves MasterChef: The Professionals after 14 years as judge

Galetti, who is chef-patron of Mere restaurant in Fitzrovia, has been on the show for the past 14 years, appearing alongside fellow judges Marcus Wareing and Gregg Wallace. She says she will not return for the filming of this year’s series.

Making the announcement on Instagram, Galetti said that she was unable to balance the three-month TV filming schedule with her restaurant and family commitments.

“It is with a heavy heart that after 14yrs I’ve made this decision to step back from filming this year’s series of MasterChef: The Professionals,” she wrote. 
 
“My family need me, my restaurant needs me and trying to balance long filming days over the next three months with all my commitments meant that something had to give.  
So, for the moment, my focus has to be 100% about my loved ones and rebuilding my kitchen team who have had a battering over the last few months especially.  

“Those in the hospitality industry know just how tough it is at the moment.”
 
David Ambler, executive editor at MasterChef UK, says: “Monica is one of the most talented chefs of her generation, and we fully support her decision.

“We have worked together closely for the past 14 years and regard Monica as an integral member of the MasterChef family. Our hope is this situation is just for this season and the door is always open for her return.”