MasterChef is losing one of its judges once MasterChef Junior ends its third season. Joe Bastianich will be stepping down from his post as judge on both shows.
Producers are looking for a third judge to host both shows along with Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot. "Joe has played an integral role in the success of both MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, and we all appreciate his incredible culinary insight, sense of humor and passion. He will always remain a member of the MasterChef family," said the producers in a joint statement, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Bastianich released a statement as well. "After several gratifying years as a judge on MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, I have decided to step down from my role on the show," he said, according to the Daily Mail. "It has been a pleasure working alongside Gordon and Graham on five seasons of MasterChef and three seasons of MasterChef Junior.”
Bastianich can be seen in his last season of MasterChef Junior when the third season returns in the beginning of January. While he is leaving both MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, he can still be seen as a judge on MasterChef Italia.
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