Giorgio Locatelli new Celebrity MasterChef judge: Who is he and where is his UK restaurant?

Giorgio Locatelli will be a judge on the upcoming Celebrity MasterChef series, he has announced. The chef and restaurateur is set to appear in the 21st series of the cooking spin-off, alongside restaurant critic Grace Dent, judging the efforts of competitors.

The 63-year old Michelin-starred chef is already known for judging the Italian version of the amateur cooking show, and is now moving to the BBC for the new series, which has already been filmed.

Announcing the news on the podcast Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware, he revealed what type of judge he was on the series and said: “I think I was a bad cop. I’m strict. Strict about cleanliness and organisation. Those little skills that you teach them slowly.”

He said: “We’re working with celebrities which is different from working with people who wanted to be a chef, but still, you can really see them growing in what they do, and so this is the thing that interests me more on the whole experience.”

The contestants are yet to be announced, but Locatelli said one star in particular stood out to him with the quality of some of their dishes. He said: “There was somebody who really surprised me a few times in the positive. It was good fun to do, it was really good fun to be with them.

“Everyone has already proven something in their lives and they have already achieved something. That’s why they’re there, because they are celebrities in different fields. The people who worked in entertainment found it so difficult to cook to the time. The sportspeople always hit the time. Their life is run by time. While the other people are all about creativity.”

The spin-off series sees a number of celebrities face a run of challenges, with judges overseeing their culinary skills put to the test until one star makes it to the end to claim the Celebrity MasterChef trophy.

Locatelli joins the show after TV presenter John Torode was sacked from the BBC following allegations of using racist language, which was upheld as part of the Lewis Silkin report. Torode appeared in the most recent series alongside Dent, who replaced TV presenter Gregg Wallace after he was sacked following a series of misconduct allegations relating to his time on the show.

Previous winners include professional dancer and choreographer, Vito Coppola, who won the competition in 2024 and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson, whose real name is Donald Marshall, and claimed the title in 2025.

Locatelli at The National Gallery

Following the closure of Michelin-starred 'Locanda Locatelli', which closed its doors in December 2024, the chef began a new venture in London last year. Locatelli at The National Gallery opened in May 2025, located in the heart of London’s cultural quarter, just steps from Trafalgar Square. Offering Locatelli’s take on modern Italian dining the menu is rooted in “heartfelt Italian traditions”, elevated by seasonal ingredients.

Described as a “casually sophisticated setting” guests can savour Italian classics, from hand-crafted pastas to indulgent dolci. Guests can also expect expertly selected Italian wines and a standout cocktail menu.

The National Gallery describes the restaurant as “unforgettable”, saying: “Set within one of the city’s most iconic artistic institutions, Locatelli invites lovers of food and culture to experience the charm and generosity of Italian hospitality in an unforgettable setting.”