Alex Webb, the winner of *MasterChef: The Professionals* 2020, has opened up about a touching gesture from judge Gregg Wallace that left a lasting impact on him and his family.
Webb, who tragically lost his father Phillip to lung cancer in 2022, recalled a heartfelt moment
when Wallace sent a Christmas message to his dying father, a gesture that Webb describes as a testament to Wallace’s true character.
In an emotional interview, Alex shared that, although he was aware of the recent controversies surrounding Wallace,
he preferred to focus on the positive personal experience he had with the TV chef.
“I don’t really want to comment on it [the furore], but I can only speak from personal experience,” Webb said. “My dad passed away just after the show, so luckily he got to watch the show.”
Alex’s father, Phillip, was in hospital during the final stages of his illness when Wallace reached out with a special message. Webb described the gesture as incredibly meaningful, especially during such a difficult time. “Greg did a lovely message for him, and he sent it to him at Christmas time. So having Christmas, and dad was in hospital, and so things like that, he did a lovely message, and I’ll never forget that,” Webb fondly recalled. His father, touched by the gesture, made sure to pass on his gratitude. “He said, ‘Thank you so much, make sure you thank him,'” Alex added.
This moment stands out as a poignant reminder of the kindness and compassion that can exist behind the scenes, even in the competitive world of television. While Wallace has recently been embroiled in controversies regarding allegations of inappropriate behaviour, which he has vehemently denied, Alex’s story highlights the warmth and generosity that Wallace showed to him and his family at a particularly difficult time.
Beyond the personal gesture, Alex also reflected on the changes in the *MasterChef* judging panel. Following Wallace’s departure amid investigations, food critic Grace Dent has been named as his successor. Alex, who is already familiar with Dent from their time together on the show, expressed confidence in her abilities. “Grace Dent is obviously the new judge and she was actually on my series, and she was really great. So I’m sure she’ll do really well,” he said.
Alex Webb’s journey on *MasterChef* was never solely about winning. In fact, he admitted that his initial goal wasn’t necessarily to take the top spot, but rather to make it to the final three. “I went there to kind of have fun and compete, and I never thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to win this’,” Webb shared with a smile. “My thing was I wanted to get to the final three so then the cameras would come back to my mum and dad’s house. That was my, that was my kind of thing.”
Since claiming victory on the show, Alex’s career has skyrocketed. He is now working on opening his own restaurant, a dream he’s been chasing for years. In addition to his restaurant plans, he has a list of private clients, an annual gig in the Maldives, and even launched his own cider, the *Alex Webb Signature Blend*. Alex’s rise to success reflects his dedication and passion for the culinary arts, and he’s eager to continue growing in the industry.
Looking ahead, Alex is also reuniting with his fellow *MasterChef* finalists from 2020 for a special event. To celebrate the show’s 35th anniversary, Alex will join Santosh Shah, Philli Armitage-Mattin, Bart Van der Lee, and Vivek Singh to host *The Fantastic Five Supper Club* at Cinnamon Kitchen City. The event, taking place on February 21st and 22nd, will showcase the talents of these celebrated chefs, and Alex is excited to reconnect with his fellow competitors. “We’ve kept in contact and we get on really well,” he said, highlighting the camaraderie that continues to flourish post-show.
As Alex’s career continues to evolve, he remains deeply appreciative of the support he received during his *MasterChef* journey, particularly the unexpected kindness of Gregg Wallace. Despite the controversies that have followed Wallace, Alex’s story serves as a reminder that personal experiences and gestures of kindness often leave a more lasting impression than public opinions or scandals.
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