MasterChef’s Christina Tosi never intended to be a permanent judge on the show, hence, when Joe Bastianich returned, she left.
Since it started premiering on Fox Network in 2010, MasterChef’s judging panel has changed its original formation, which was Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, and Joe Bastianich.
Some changes were more memorable and certain judges occupied a permanent seat on the judging panel for a season or more.
One judge in particular that fans still remember is Christina Tosi, who joined the judging panel of MasterChef as a judge for three seasons from season six to season eight.
She left the show thereafter, as Joe Bastianich returned as a permanent judge on the show in season nine.
Has MasterChef been cancelled?
MasterChef has not been cancelled. This is as the cooking competition reality show is one of the rating pullers and flagship shows of the Fox network. Therefore, there is no reason for Fox to cancel the show.
However, like for most shows, there was a two-year delay between season nine and 10 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thus, the show is currently airing its twelfth season on Fox, which premiered in May 2022 and is set to conclude its latest season in September 2022.
MasterChef: Why did Christina leave?
Christina Tosi was introduced as a recurring season judge on MasterChef in May 2015, with the premiere of season six of the show.
She explained that she first found out she stood a chance of getting this job during a drive when she received a call from her agent asking if she would be interested.
Tosi was already a fan of the show, as she explained that in getting the job, she had to conceive the idea of “going from loving watching it to loving being a part of it.”
However, her stint as a judge on MasterChef and as the judge and host of MasterChef Junior coincided with her taking the job on MasterChef and her subsequent exit.
This means that on MasterChef Junior, she was the host and judge for three seasons between season four and season six. While her stint may have earned her the title of a “permanent judge”, it was later revealed that that was not the case.
Tosi was the replacement judge on the shows after Joe Bastianich’s exit in season five when he announced, “After many enjoyable years as a judge on MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, I have chosen not to return.”
Therefore, when Bastianich made the decision to return after pursuing his other interests and focusing on growing his culinary business, Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, it was time for Tosi to hang her apron on both shows.
When did Joe Bastianich return to MasterChef?
Joe Bastianich returned to the judging panel when he first featured in the season eight finale of the show.
He then officially returned to his position as a permanent judge in the judging panel at the beginning of the ninth season of the show, which premiered in May 2018.
As he returned to the judging panel on MasterChef, he also resumed his hosting and head-judge responsibilities on MasterChef Junior, meaning that Christina Tosi all but left the franchise thereafter.
Did Christina Tosi return to MasterChef?
Christina Tosi spoke highly of her time on MasterChef as a judge between season six and season eight.
Moreover, since then, she has become one of the most popular pastry chefs to be featured on television, with appearances on shows including Jimmy Fallon, CBS This Morning, The Drew Barrymore Show, and her own new pastry and confectionery show on Netflix, Baking Squad, which premiered in 2021.
Therefore, it is interesting that since her exit from MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, she has yet to return to either of the shows for a guest appearance.
Is Baking Squad season 2 confirmed?
Baking Squad is the Netflix original party and confectionery reality format show that is premised, “Expert bakers elevate desserts with next-level ideas and epic execution. Now the battle is on to win over clients in need of very special sweets.”
The show was hosted by Christina Tosi, who also served as the team leader of the Baking Squad.
With favourable reviews about the show, it seemed that a second season was in the books, but considering that the first season aired in August 2021, and Netflix has not shared any word on season two as of August 2022, it seems unlikely that the show will return for a second season.
That being said, since its cancellation has not been confirmed, there is still hope for another season.
