MasterChef is back for their festive episodes, and after Duncan James was crowned winner of the Celebrity Christmas special, it’s now time for the 2023 cast of critics to battle it out in the kitchen. Known for giving their opinion on others, this time it’ll be them being judged by everyone’s favourite judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, alongside returning champions.
One contestant has been busy in the jungle this year, and they all know MasterChef down to a tea. It’s anyone’s game this year, so let’s take a look at the star-studded lineup before the show airs on BBC.
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MasterChef Battle Of The Critics 2023 cast
Five experienced restaurant critics, who all judge on MasterChef, will be taking to the kitchen this year. These include:
The five favorite critics of the show will be set two “demanding” cooking challenges, but will they be able to cope now they’re on the other side?
Jay Rayner
Age: 57
Instagram: @jayrayner1
Jay Rayner is an English journalist and food critic, working for publications including The Observer and The Independent on Sunday.
He’s spent years tasting the dishes on the hit show, and now it’s time for him to switch roles. In his Instagram bio, he describes himself as: “the hairy one from MasterChef.”
Speaking ahead of his appearance to the BBC cameras, he said: “I’d like to think that my family are universally supportive of everything I do, and they are. Until I serve up something terrible.”
Jimi Famurewa
Instagram: @jimfamished
Jimi serves as the chief restaurant critic at The Evening Standard, and as well as featuring on MasterChef, he’s also on the Channel 4 TV show, The Great Cookbook Challenge starring Jamie Oliver.
Opening up about how he’s feeling on his appearance on the other side of the judging table in an Instagram promo video, Jimi joked: “This could very well be the absolute end of my career.
“This could be disastrous.”
Grace Dent
Age: 50
Instagram: @gracedent
Reality TV superfans may recognize Grace from her short stint on I’m A Celebrity this year. Unfortunately, the star had to pull out on medical grounds, but on this show, she’ll be much more comfortable in her forte.
No stranger to the MasterChef kitchen, Dent has worked as a regular critic on the UK show, so she knows exactly what the judges are looking for.
As well as this, she’s a restaurant critic for the highly established publication, The Guardian.
MasterChef Battle Of The Critics 2023 cast: William Sitwell
Age: 54
Instagram: @williamsitwell
William is an editor, broadcaster, and restaurant critic for The Daily Telegraph. As well as this, he’s the former editor of Waitrose Food, so he knows his stuff.
He’s also a regular judge on MasterChef UK, lending a helping hand to Gregg and John.
However, William admitted he’s been ‘terrified’. “The anticipation, sleepless nights, it’s been horrific really,” he joked on an Instagram video.
Leyla Kazim
Instagram: @leyla.kazim
Like Grace, Leyla is no stranger to the MasterChef kitchen.
The critic works on the BBCOne show, and MasterChef: The Professionals, as well as hosting her hit BBC Radio 4 show, The Food Programme.
Although she’s a highly respected member of the show, she revealed she was surprised when asked to cook in the MasterChef kitchen.
In fact, her exact response was: “WHATTT?!”
Watch MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Thursday 28th December at 8pm.
