Monica Galetti – Biography, Net Worth, Family, MasterChef

Monica Galetti is a Samoan-born New Zealand chef best known as a judge on the BBC programme MasterChef: The Professionals. Her career spans more than two decades in London’s fine‑dining scene, from classical training under Michel Roux Jr. at Le Gavroche to opening her own restaurant, Mere. Despite her public profile, several details about her personal finances and future plans remain unconfirmed.

Galetti was born on 26 August 1975 in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and moved to New Zealand at the age of eight. She was raised in Wellington by her aunt, alongside her sister and four brothers. Her love of food began on her family’s plantation on the island of Upolu, as she recalled in a Guardian interview.

Key insights

• Galetti is one of the few female judges on MasterChef: The Professionals and is known for her exacting standards and “hard stare”.
• She was born in Samoa and raised in New Zealand, where she completed her culinary training before moving to London.
• In 2024 she announced a break from the show via Instagram, citing personal reasons.
• She owned the restaurant Mere in London, which closed in April 2024 due to economic challenges.
• Galetti has authored at least one cookbook, titled Monica’s Kitchen, published in 2012.

Who Is Monica Galetti’s Family? Partner, Daughter, and Children

Galetti married David Galetti in 2004. David is French‑born and worked as Head Sommelier at Le Gavroche, where the couple met around 2001. The family lives in Surrey, UK.

The couple has one daughter, Anais Galetti, born in 2006. At the time of writing (2025) she is 19 years old. Details about her education or career are not publicly available.

Galetti’s extended family includes her sister and four brothers; she was raised by her aunt after moving to New Zealand. Her mother and father are rarely mentioned in public sources.

What Is Monica Galetti Known For? Career, Restaurant, and Books

Galetti’s professional journey began when she moved to the UK in 1997 to complete her chef’s education. In 1999 she relocated to London to work under Michel Roux Jr. at Le Gavroche, starting as a commis chef in 2000. She became senior sous‑chef in 2004, the first woman to hold that role at the restaurant, and remained until 2015.

Her television career took off in 2009 when she joined MasterChef: The Professionals as a judge alongside Gregg Wallace and Michel Roux Jr. She was recruited after the casting team filmed a segment at Le Gavroche and saw her demonstrate skills tests for competitors.

In 2017 Galetti opened her own restaurant, Mere, in Fitzrovia, London, with her husband David. The restaurant showcased a refined, global cooking style. Mere closed in April 2024, citing economic challenges in the hospitality industry.

Galetti published her first cookbook, Monica’s Kitchen, in 2012. It reflects her culinary philosophy, though exact details about its contents are not widely documented in top search results.

Why Did Monica Galetti Take a Break from MasterChef?

Galetti left MasterChef: The Professionals in 2021 to prioritise her family and restaurant team, citing the need to focus on Mere. She was temporarily replaced by Anna Haugh. In 2023 she returned to the show and remains a judge as of 2025.

In 2024 she posted on Instagram that she had made “the tough call to take a break”, but gave no specific reason. The post has been widely referenced, but no further explanation has been offered in public interviews. The exact nature of the break and her long‑term plans remain unclear.

Where Can I Find Monica Galetti’s Recipes and Cookbook?

Galetti’s cookbook Monica’s Kitchen was published in 2012. BBC Food also hosts a collection of her recipes online. Her official personal website previously featured recipe content, but after the closure of Mere it may not be regularly updated.

Recipes attributed to Galetti often highlight fresh, simple ingredients and draw on her Samoan heritage. No signature dish has been formally identified in high‑confidence sources.

What Is the Career Timeline of Monica Galetti?

1. 1975 – Born in Pago Pago, American Samoa.
2. 1983 – Moved to New Zealand at age eight.
3. 1997 – Moved to the UK to complete chef’s education.
4. 1999 – Moved to London to work under Michel Roux Jr. at Le Gavroche.
5. 2000 – Started as commis chef at Le Gavroche.
6. 2004 – Became senior sous‑chef, the first woman in that role.
7. 2009 – First appeared as judge on MasterChef: The Professionals.
8. 2012 – Published Monica’s Kitchen.
9. 2015 – Left Le Gavroche.
10. 2017 – Opened restaurant Mere in Fitzrovia with husband David.
11. 2021 – Took a break from MasterChef: The Professionals.
12. 2023 – Returned to the show.
13. 2024 – Mere closed; announced a further break via Instagram.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Monica Galetti?

How Does Monica Galetti Fit into the UK Culinary Scene?

Galetti is a prominent figure in UK gastronomy, known for her no‑nonsense judging style and high standards. Her career arc from classical training at Le Gavroche to a leading role on a flagship BBC cooking show positions her as a link between traditional French haute cuisine and contemporary television‑driven food culture. The closure of Mere reflects broader economic pressures on the restaurant industry. The public’s persistent curiosity about her personal life suggests a strong audience connection, yet a clear, consolidated resource has been lacking.

What Are the Main Sources of Information on Monica Galetti?

Monica Galetti (née Faʻafiti, born 26 August 1975) is a Samoan‑born New Zealand chef. She is a judge on the BBC competitive cooking programme MasterChef: The Professionals.

Wikipedia

Monica was born in Samoa and raised in New Zealand, where she completed her training as a chef. Current role of Senior Sous Chef at Le Gavroche in London.

BBC Food

Monica Galetti is well‑known for her hard stares and no‑nonsense attitude as one of the judges and mentors in BBC series, MasterChef: The Professionals.

Time & Leisure

Conclusion: What Is the Bottom Line on Monica Galetti?

Monica Galetti remains an influential chef and television personality whose career spans fine dining, publishing, and popular broadcasting. While many facts about her early life, family, and professional journey are well documented, key details—especially regarding her net worth, the full reasons for her television breaks, and future projects—remain unconfirmed. As of 2025 she continues to judge MasterChef: The Professionals and co‑present Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby.

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