'MasterChef' Host Joe Bastianich Leaves Show To Focus On Another Reality TV? Christina Tossi Steps In For Restaurateur

Tags
World news

"MasterChef" host Joe Bastianich has reportedly left the show for another reality TV series as Christina Tossi stepped in as her replacement.

On his Facebook page in November last year, Joe Bastianich wrote: "After several gratifying years as a judge on MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, I have decided not to return for a sixth season."

Although he didn't state his reasons for leaving Gordon Ramsey and Graham Elliott, the restaurateur talked about his exit from the very popular show during the 2015 Winter PCA Press Tour last Friday.

"I had a great experience. It was a show that changed my life. I stepped away," he said, per E! News.

He was replaced by Christina Tosi, owner of New York City's Milk Bar, who released a statement that reads:

"'MasterChef' has been one of my favorite shows since it began, and like so many others, I fell in love with 'MasterChef Junior.' I'm incredibly humbled by the opportunity and excited to pay forward all that I owe to learning what you're made of in the home kitchen, and putting your neck on the line to show what you've got to the rest of the world!"

After leaving "MasterChef," Joe Bastianich went on to join "Restaurant Startup" as a producer and investor. Although he's currently involved in the CNBC show, he is still "looking for more opportunity to do television."

The concept of "Restaurant Startup" deviates from "MasterChef" as it's not as much a cooking show as it is a business show.

Joe Bastianich said, "My grandmother gave $80,000 (to start my first restaurant). She gets a dividend check every year. This is a business show. It's about making investments. It's about making money."

Joe Bastianich also quelled rumors that he will be returning to "MasterChef" and "MasterChef Junior" as he said during the press tour that the two shows will only remain as a fond memory.

Join the Discussion

Latest Photo Slide Shows

Real Time Analytics