GIORGIO LOCATELLI JOINS GRACE DENT IN THE CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF KITCHEN THIS SUMMER

Michelin-starred, award-winning chef, author and restaurateur Giorgio Locatelli has been announced as the newest judge joining Celebrity MasterChef this year.

Filmed at Digbeth Loc. Studios, Birmingham, the hugely anticipated new series from Shine TV (part of Banijay UK) returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this summer, with Locatelli joining award-winning journalist and food critic Grace Dent, who is also confirmed as a Celebrity MasterChef judge on this year’s series.

Locatelli is no stranger to the MasterChef kitchen, having featured as a judge on MasterChef Italia since 2018. With an illustrious career spanning over four decades, he is considered by many to be one of the best and well-known chefs in the UK and is one of the most recognised Italian chefs in the world. He was awarded his first Michelin star in 1999, earning his second soon after in 2003.

His culinary talents have earned him an enviable reputation around the globe. He is the author of numerous best-selling cookery books and is an accomplished TV presenter, having hosted several popular TV shows during his career including Italy Unpacked (BBC Two) and Sicily Unpacked (BBC Two).

Giorgio Locatelli said: “Hosting Celebrity MasterChef alongside Grace is a real honour. I can’t wait for you to see what our celebrity contestants bring to the kitchen, as we are really putting their culinary skills to the test in this series.”

Leon Wilson, CEO Shine TV & Zeppotron, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Giorgio onboard. He is a genuinely world-class superstar chef and it’s a huge coup to have signed him up. With his signature charm, generosity and energy Giorgio is perfect for Celebrity MasterChef and he’ll be a real treat for viewers.”

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, added: "Giorgio’s culinary expertise, Michelin-starred pedigree, and serious passion for food, coupled with the dynamism that both him and Grace bring to the screen, putting the celebrities through their culinary paces, is not one to be missed. Viewers can expect a truly delicious series.”

Grace Dent said: “Giorgio Locatelli is a fabulous addition to our UK Celebrity MasterChef team. I'm a long-time admirer of his work and was a huge fan of Locanda Locatelli; for many years, it was one of my happy places to eat. I couldn't be happier to combine our shared joy, passion, and expertise for food. I also love an opportunity to serve up a heavy dose of glamour in the MasterChef kitchen, and I have a feeling Giorgio is going to give me a real run for my money.”

Celebrity MasterChef will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this summer as the latest batch of famous faces take on the culinary challenge of out-cooking each other in the famous MasterChef kitchen. The celebrities taking part will be announced in due course.

Celebrity MasterChef is a Shine TV (part of Banijay UK) production for BBC One and iPlayer, commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC. The Executive Editor is Katy Fryer and the Series Producer, Ryan Daly. The Commissioning Editors for the BBC are Sarah Clay and Charlotte Smith.