Anna Haugh, a former head chef under Gordon Ramsay, has been named as Monica Galetti's replacement on this year's edition of MasterChef: The Professionals.
Earlier this week Galetti revealed that she had decided to take a break from the show after 14 years in order to focus on her family and business in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
Now the BBC has confirmed that Haugh - chef patron of Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea - will fill in for her on series 15, joining Gregg Wallace and Marcus Wareing as a new crop of budding pros compete for the title.
"MasterChef has an impeccable reputation and legacy within the hospitality industry," said Haugh, also a regular on the BBC's Morning Live.
"I have long-admired Monica as an incredible chef and she's paved the way for female chefs. It's a privilege to be keeping her seat warm in the MasterChef kitchen."
The new series will be filmed in the coming months for broadcast on BBC One in November.
Neil Wilkes
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