MasterChef goes back to basics in 2026 revamp – with the spotlight off the hosts

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There’s been a lot of excitement surrounding the new hosts of MasterChef. Grace Dent and Anna Haugh were chosen to take over late last year after Gregg Wallace and John Torode left the show, which caused quite a bit of discussion and controversy.

With long-running shows often facing scrutiny, many have questioned whether MasterChef should continue, or if new judges could breathe fresh life into the series. Having both previously appeared on MasterChef as guest judges, how well do Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti work together as the main judging duo?

I watched the latest MasterChef episode tonight (April 21st) and it was great to see the judges welcoming a whole new group of cooks! They tasted everyone’s dishes, and it was fun seeing some of our favorite cooks from last season helping them out as well.

Okay, let’s be honest, after twenty years with Torode and Gregg, everyone was watching the new judges, Haugh and Dent, very closely. But they absolutely nailed the first episode! They weren’t just going through the motions; they gave really thoughtful encouragement to the cooks and you could tell they were genuinely interested in the dishes. It was a fantastic start, honestly.

They come across as highly professional and clearly have a strong understanding of their field. They frequently offer helpful advice to the chefs, even when the dishes are unfamiliar.

Tonight’s episode clearly shows that MasterChef has successfully refocused on the contestants and their cooking, effectively leaving behind the drama from the previous year.

The hour-long show featured six chefs competing in three rounds—a signature dish challenge, a classic recipe test, and a final cook-off to earn a spot in the quarter-finals. Throughout the competition, viewers got to know each chef, hearing heartwarming stories about their families and discovering how they developed their love for cooking.

Although Haugh and Dent still appear in the show, this new series focuses more on the contestants, which is a welcome shift that hasn’t gotten much attention because of all the discussion surrounding the previous hosts leaving.

Haugh and Dent agree that the show transcends any individual host, past or present – a point they made in a recent conversation with TopMob.

Haugh explained that the show’s success isn’t due to any single individual, but to the incredible talent of its contestants. He believes the show truly showcases their abilities.

Dent clarified that he wasn’t covering for anyone, emphasizing his consistent work leading a very significant food show – potentially the most important in British TV history. He believes he’s performing well and wouldn’t have approached the job as he did a year ago, dwelling on the past.

It’s fantastic to see women leading such a popular BBC program, and it’s a welcome trend that’s happening more and more on the channel’s flagship shows like The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing. Hopefully, this continues for a long time to come.

MasterChef returns on Tuesday 21 April at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Don’t miss MasterChef! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV suggestions, articles, and other great content.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-04-22 00:34