Shocking MasterChef Shake-Up: Aaron Sanchez Exits, New Judge Takes the Spotlight!

This week marked the premiere of the latest season of Fox’s popular series, “MasterChef”. In a surprising change, it was revealed that judge Aaron Sanchez, a well-known chef and restaurant owner from New Orleans, is no longer part of the judging panel. Sanchez had been a regular on the show since 2019, joining forces with host/franchise leader Gordon Ramsay and Joe Bastianich for seven seasons to critique culinary talents.

In contrast, ‘MasterChef’ Season 15 premiered on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, with a change in the judges’ panel, as the show opted to replace its veteran star for this season’s installment.

Starting from 2010, the popular cooking competition show, MasterChef, has been airing new seasons on Fox. This show brings together some of America’s top culinary talents, both professional and amateur, in a fierce contest for a grand prize of $250,000 and the prestigious title of ‘MasterChef.’

For more than 15 years, the cherished competition show has expanded into a full franchise, with numerous spin-offs premiering. One such successful offshoot is “MasterChef Junior”, a variation featuring young chefs aged between 8 and 13.

What Happened to Aaron on MasterChef

It was observed by viewers that the seasoned judge, Aaron Sanchez, was missing from his usual spot at the judges’ table during MasterChef Season 15.

For its latest season, the widely admired Fox series decided to swap out Sanchez and introduced celebrity chef Tiffany Derry instead, marking a new chapter for the enduring competition series. Derry gained her fame as a highly popular contestant on the reality show Top Chef, where she made an appearance during Season 7.

Discussing her appointment as a judge on MasterChef alongside Gordon Ramsay and Joe Bastianich, Derry expressed to fans that she is “thrilled beyond belief” about her involvement in the program (as reported by Fox).

I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of ‘MasterChef’ as a judge for Season 15, a season like no other! To me, cooking is all about passion, accuracy, and emotion, and I can hardly wait to share my viewpoint with Gordon and Joe at the table. This season puts home cook duos through unique trials, and it was truly exciting to watch them step up to the challenge. Brace yourselves for fantastic cuisine, firm guidance, and perhaps a dash of drama!

As I took my seat at the judge’s table for the first time, Derry didn’t hold back, flaunting her vibrant spirit and extensive culinary expertise. From the get-go, she seemed poised to add a touch of effervescence to our panel, balancing out Gordon Ramsey and Joe Bastianich’s sometimes bristly demeanors.

Supporters have expressed their dismay over Sanchez leaving, yet many are optimistic that Derry will bring a thrilling, delightful twist to the show’s established pattern.

It’s not unprecedented that a judge on MasterChef has departed from the series during its extended run on television. In particular, Sanchez joined the panel in 2019 as a replacement for another judge, Graham Elliot, who had previously held a seat among the original judges.

Why Did Aaron Sanchez Leave MasterChef?

Currently, we’re curious about the reason behind Aaron Sanchez parting ways with MasterChef after spending seven fruitful seasons as a renowned judge.

It’s unclear why Sanchez left the show, as the network hasn’t provided an explanation. Instead, Fox merely announced his replacement and began airing the new season without further comment. Sanchez has yet to speak out about the situation, leaving viewers to guess at the circumstances behind his departure.

It has been speculated by some that his exit might be connected to a disagreement over his contract with the network, while others suggest it might be due to his heavy workload on various other projects, which could explain why he may not participate in MasterChef anymore.

Apart from his role, Sanchez is additionally known as a judge on the cherished Food Network show “Chopped”. Notably, his series “El Toque De Aarón” has been extended by Warner Bros. Discovery for another season (as reported by Deadline).

Ever since I parted ways with the show, I’ve continued to keep a strong presence in the public sphere. Just lately, I teamed up with the renowned cookware brand, William Sonoma, to unveil an exciting new sauce collaboration. These delectable handcrafted cooking sauces draw inspiration from my rich Mexican family background.

Apart from this, he additionally took part in the 2025 version of the Popular Chef Contest, an online culinary competition offering a grand prize of $25,000 to one fortunate home cook.

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2025-05-23 22:36

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