Grace Dent: The Guardian’s Restaurant Critic and MasterChef Judge
London, 5 January 2026 – Grace Dent is a prominent British journalist, broadcaster, and author renowned for her sharp wit and expertise in food criticism. As the restaurant critic for The Guardian since 2018, she has become a household name, blending candid reviews with personal anecdotes. Her recent appointment as a judge on MasterChef in 2025, alongside Anna Haugh, marks a new chapter in her career, following controversies that led to the departure of previous hosts.
Early Life and Education
Grace Georgina Dent was born on 3 October 1973 in Aldershot, Hampshire, but grew up in Carlisle, Cumbria. She attended Bishop Goodwin Primary School and studied English Literature at the University of Stirling. Her early experiences with food, including childhood favourites like Findus crispy pancakes and Angel Delight, shaped her lifelong passion for culinary exploration.
Journalism Career
Dent began her career as an editorial assistant at Marie Claire magazine in London in 1995. She transitioned to freelance journalism in 1998, contributing to publications such as Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire. From 1998 to 2000, she wrote for the Daily Mirror on international topics. She joined The Guardian in 1999, where she penned columns like “World of Lather” about soap operas and “Grace Dent’s TV-OD”. In 2012, she signed a joint deal with The Independent and the Evening Standard, writing the “Grace & Flavour” restaurant column until 2017. Dent became The Guardian’s restaurant critic in January 2018 and won Reviewer of the Year at the London Restaurant Festival in 2017.
Television and Radio Appearances
Dent has been a regular critic on MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals, and Celebrity MasterChef since 2011. She has judged on Great British Menu and appeared on shows including Very British Problems, Pointless Celebrities, Have I Got News For You, and The Culture Show. On radio, she presented The Untold on BBC Radio 4 from 2016, nominated for ARIA awards. She also hosted Best of Britain by the Sea with Ainsley Harriott in 2022 and participated in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2023, leaving after nine days due to medical reasons. In September 2025, the BBC announced Dent and Anna Haugh as judges for MasterChef’s 22nd series.
Published Works
Dent has authored 11 novels for teenagers, including her first, It’s a Girl Thing (2003), and series like Diary of a Chav and Diary of a Snob. Her non-fiction includes How to Leave Twitter (2011) and the memoir Hungry: A Memoir of Wanting More (2020), which won the Lakeland Book of the Year. Comfort Eating (2023) explores her podcast of the same name, where she discusses celebrities’ food habits.
Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth | 3 October 1973, Aldershot, Hampshire |
| Education | University of Stirling (English Literature) |
| Career Highlights | Guardian restaurant critic (2018–present); MasterChef judge (2025–present); Evening Standard reviewer (2011–2017) |
| Awards | Reviewer of the Year, London Restaurant Festival (2017); ARIA award nominations for The Untold |
| Personal | Mainly vegan since early 2010s; Teetotal since 2021; Cared for parents (mother died 2021 from cancer, father 2022 from dementia) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Grace Dent known for?
Grace Dent is best known as a restaurant critic for The Guardian, where she provides honest and often humorous reviews. She is also a judge on MasterChef and has authored several books and hosted a popular podcast on comfort eating.
Has Grace Dent appeared on reality TV?
Yes, she competed in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2023, finishing in 12th place after leaving for medical reasons. She has also been a guest on numerous panel shows and documentaries.
What are her dietary preferences?
Dent describes herself as plant-based or flexitarian, having been mainly vegan since the early 2010s. She enjoys a wide range of foods but avoids certain items like foie gras and turkey.