Monica Galetti is returning to 'MasterChef: The Professionals' for good after missing last year's show.
Monica Galetti isn't planning another MasterChef break
The renowned chef - who stepped back in 2022 to look after an ill relative - will be back with fellow judges Gregg Wallace and Marcus Wareing for the upcoming 16th series on the BBC and she isn't planning on going anywhere.
She told the Radio Times magazine: "Unless I'm pushed into a corner or things come to a head, I'm not going to step back again.
"It's a part of my life and something I love doing."
She wasn't happy missing last year's series, and she found it "so hard" knowing the programme was going on without her.
She added: "I missed the journeys of the chefs.
"It's why I always wanted want to come back for another series - the excitement of seeing who walks through the doors.
"What are they going to show us? What kind of journey at they going to go on? Knowing all of that was happening without me last series was so hard."
The new series will 32 ambitious chefs from across the UK battling to become champion over seven intense weeks aired across 21 episodes.
By the time they reached the end, the final three will have the chance to impress the judges with everything they learnt throughout the gruelling competition.
They will be tasked with producing "the best three-course menu of their lives" to match the panel's high standards.
Gregg said in a statement: "This is an incredible, high-stakes competition and I get such a thrill knowing that this is a genuinely life-changing opportunity for these chefs. I’m so excited to see who will walk through our doors.”
Marcus added: "My expectations are high and I’m looking for the very best talent. The chef worthy of the trophy needs guts, flair and absolute focus on reaching that goal.”
Tagged in Gregg Wallace