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Grace Dent reveals the secret job she hated before finding fame – as she replaces Gregg Wallace on MasterChef

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Grace Dent once had a job she detested, ranging from cleaning toilets to getting splashed with boiling hot tea water – this was the secret role she disliked before becoming famous.

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share that the celebrated television personality, myself turning 51, renowned for her incisive restaurant reviews, traced her culinary journey back to an unexpected origin—the humble Southwaite service station nestled along the M6 highway.

In a recent episode of the Mercedes-Benz Vans Under the Hood podcast, she shared that at 18 years old, she endured high food expenses while wearing a soiled uniform.

She shared with host Scott Mills: “Here’s a little secret – I used to work at a gas station. Specifically, it was the Southwaite service station located on the M6 highway.

In my high school’s senior class, everyone often sought part-time jobs. If you managed to secure the position, it required working during quite early hours. To ensure we arrived safely, they would provide transportation via a minivan.

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At approximately 5 a.m., they would transport you along the M6 highway, dispersing you to various locations within the service station. Your destination was always uncertain.

You might find yourself at a tea station, spending your entire day preparing and serving cups of tea, while constantly being mindful of hot spills and splashes.

Alternatively, you could be working on the tables or heading off to work at the store. Your tasks seemed to vary constantly.

A challenging task might be calculating the total for your meal at a restaurant’s checkout, as patrons often argue about the cost.

It seems as though you, a young woman of 18 years old, wearing a stained school uniform, were the one who set the prices for the tea and scones that morning, just as I determined their costs myself.

In my role, it seemed as though each customer at the checkout was expressing their discontent. It felt like every time I said, “Four pounds ninety-five,” they would respond, “I’ve just had a cup of tea…

In December it was revealed Grace would replace Gregg Wallace as a judge on BBC show MasterChef. 

After Gregg relinquished his position in November, several past accusations against him surfaced.

Regarding her upcoming part in the series, Grace had mentioned earlier that she has been a long-time viewer of MasterChef, reminiscing about watching it as a child alongside her father on the couch.

Everyone in my household enjoys it. It focuses on discovering and promoting skill, and being here is not just a dream, but an incredible reality for me.

‘I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic. 

As I eagerly prepare to take on the role of host for Celebrity MasterChef in 2025, I find myself filled with gratitude and excitement. I can hardly contain my anticipation as I look forward to making acquaintance with the new crop of celebrity participants who will be gracing our screens that year.

I’m A Celebrity star Grace has appeared on MasterChef as a guest critic.

Not only that, she has also competed as a contestant on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics. 

As a youngster in the vibrant 70s and 80s Carlisle, I used to tune into The Good Food Show, captivated by the enchanting performances of Jilly Goolden. Her unique way of describing wine as reminiscent of babbling brooks left an indelible impression on me, igniting my passion for food and its intricate connections with taste and culture.

What sets me apart as a restaurant critic is that I didn’t grow up eating the kinds of foods being reviewed.

I lack the same level of experience or education in the field as the other restaurant critics I admire greatly. Clearly, there’s one of us who stands out from the pack!

‘I always say that it is an absolute fluke that I am in, doing what I do.’

I had the pleasure of teaming up with Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show to debut our brand-new podcast, “Under the Bonnet”. As a dedicated enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that this is the United Kingdom’s initial podcast specifically tailored for van drivers like myself.

A fresh television show, filmed within a customized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, was recently unveiled. This production marks three decades of the Sprinter and delves into insights gleaned from the Under the Bonnet report – revealing how van drivers now serve as a gauge for contemporary Britain’s lifestyle and trends.

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2025-06-02 02:03

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