The new MasterChef judge who loves comfort eating: How Grace Dent, 51, 'grew up on beige food', became a critic 'by fluke' and gave up drinking after 'losing days to booze'
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She grew up eating 'beige foods' and watching Jilly Goolden on TV in Carlisle, during the 70s. But now Grace Dent, 51, is set to embark on every foodie's dream as she replaces Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. As a judge on the illustrious cooking show she will be offering critiques and her expertise to culinary hopefuls - as an investigation into her predecessor's alleged inappropriate behaviour takes place.
![[But in spite of her impressive chops in the world of eating - Grace has spent decades as a celebrated food critic and presenter - the star has admitted she fell into fame 'by fluke']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/17/93277413-14205767-But_in_spite_of_her_impressive_chops_in_the_world_of_eating_Grac-a-18_1734541887414.jpg)
But in spite of her impressive chops in the world of eating - Grace has spent decades as a celebrated food critic and presenter - the star has admitted she fell into fame 'by fluke'. She was born and raised by her parents in Cumbria, where her favourite treats included 'mince and Findus Crispy Pancakes and butterscotch Angel Delight'.
![[Grace, 51, is set to embark on every foodie's dream as she replaces Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pictured on MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/17/93278193-14205767-image-a-5_1734541541195.jpg)
Speaking to Luxury London Living Fabric, she revealed: 'Supermarkets were a big thing in my childhood, because this was when the really big supermarkets arrived and to me, good food was about having the best brands. To be able to have proper Coca-Cola and Smiths crisps… I still love those types of food today.'.
![[She was born and raised by her parents in Cumbria, where her favourite treats included 'mince and Findus Crispy Pancakes and butterscotch Angel Delight'. Pictured with John Torode]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/17/93277395-14205767-image-a-6_1734541549827.jpg)
She went on to pursue further education at Stirling University, bagging herself an English Literature degree in the process. During her time there, Grace kicked off her foray into journalism. After leaving full-time education, she had an illustrious writing career, working as an editorial assistant for Vogue, and then a freelance journalist for various magazines such as Marie Claire, Glamour and more.
![[It was when she moved to London in the 90s that Grace discovered her penchant for gourmet meals and 'really fell in love with restaurants']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/17/93277415-14205767-It_was_when_she_moved_to_London_in_the_90s_that_Grace_discovered-a-19_1734541892483.jpg)
