British Heritage
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Gregg Wallace
A Pudding-loving Personality who Contributed to Britain's Gastronomy Television Heritage.
Gregg Allan Wallace, born 17 October 1964, is a prominent figure in Britain's culinary and broadcast scene. This English broadcaster, media personality, author, and former greengrocer is celebrated for his enthusiastic and passionate approach to gastronomy. With his numerous television appearances and restaurant ventures, Wallace has significantly influenced British gastronomy and public broadcasting, contributing to the nation's heritage in a distinctive way.
Born in Peckham, South London, Wallace's journey to stardom began humbly. He left school at 15 and began work at Covent Garden Fruit and Veg Market, first as a warehouseman and later as a salesman. He established George Allan's Greengrocers in 1989, which grew into a thriving company with a remarkable turnover of £7.5 million. This initial venture demonstrated Wallace's entrepreneurial spirit and deep-rooted appreciation for fresh produce.
From his greengrocer's roots, Wallace transitioned into the restaurant industry, opening Wallace & Co in Putney, London, in 2010 and Gregg's Bar & Grill in Bermondsey Square in 2012. Although his restaurant businesses faced financial challenges and eventually folded, Wallace's determination and resilience shone through. He swiftly pivoted towards television, where he found substantial success.
Wallace's charismatic personality and unique insights into the culinary world led him to co-present Veg Talk on BBC Radio 4 with Charlie Hicks, marking his entry into the broadcasting sector. After a seven-year stint, he moved to television and became the original presenter of Saturday Kitchen on BBC One, further solidifying his place in the hearts of food enthusiasts across Britain.
Beyond these endeavours, Wallace has participated in a plethora of other programmes such as Veg Out for the Discovery Channel, Follow That Tomato for The Food Channel, and Supermarket Secrets, a BBC One programme about supermarket food sourcing and distribution. Notably, he co-presented Eat Well for Less? alongside Chris Bavin and Inside the Factory alongside Cherry Healey and Ruth Goodman.
Wallace's ability to appeal to diverse audiences saw him branching out to game shows and historical programmes as well. In 2016, he was the presenter of the BBC historical game show Time Commanders, and in 2021 he presented a travel series on ITV, South Africa with Gregg Wallace. Despite his ventures into other genres, Wallace's passion for food and the culinary world remained evident throughout his career.
Since 2005, Wallace has significantly shaped the world of culinary television through his co-presentation and judging on BBC's MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef, and MasterChef: The Professionals. Alongside celebrity chef John Torode, Wallace has become a household name, affectionately known for his emphatic expressions and fondness for pudding.
Wallace's animated style captured the public's imagination in the 2013 YouTube viral video "Buttery Biscuit Base", where snippets of his voice from MasterChef episodes were arranged into a catchy song. This unexpected popularity showcased Wallace's broad appeal and his integral role in shaping the cultural zeitgeist of British culinary television.
Wallace has been candid about his personal life, including his weight loss journey, prompted by a dangerously high cholesterol level that put him at risk of a heart attack. His openness about this health struggle and subsequent loss of three stone resonated with many viewers, further deepening his connection with the public.
Beyond his weight loss journey, Wallace's personal life has been a rollercoaster of relationships. Married four times, he has faced heartache and joy in equal measure. His current marriage to Anne-Marie Sterpini, whom he met on Twitter, has blessed them with a son, Sid.
Over the years, Gregg Allan Wallace's tenacious spirit, relatable persona, and passion for food have left an indelible mark on Britain's culinary scene and the public's perception of gastronomy. His commitment to promoting good food and educating the public about cooking and nutrition has played a significant role in shaping British food television, thereby creating a rich and delicious legacy.
The Making of a MasterChef Co-presenter
Born in Peckham, South London, Wallace's journey to stardom began humbly. He left school at 15 and began work at Covent Garden Fruit and Veg Market, first as a warehouseman and later as a salesman. He established George Allan's Greengrocers in 1989, which grew into a thriving company with a remarkable turnover of £7.5 million. This initial venture demonstrated Wallace's entrepreneurial spirit and deep-rooted appreciation for fresh produce.
From his greengrocer's roots, Wallace transitioned into the restaurant industry, opening Wallace & Co in Putney, London, in 2010 and Gregg's Bar & Grill in Bermondsey Square in 2012. Although his restaurant businesses faced financial challenges and eventually folded, Wallace's determination and resilience shone through. He swiftly pivoted towards television, where he found substantial success.
A Boon to British Broadcasting
Wallace's charismatic personality and unique insights into the culinary world led him to co-present Veg Talk on BBC Radio 4 with Charlie Hicks, marking his entry into the broadcasting sector. After a seven-year stint, he moved to television and became the original presenter of Saturday Kitchen on BBC One, further solidifying his place in the hearts of food enthusiasts across Britain.
Beyond these endeavours, Wallace has participated in a plethora of other programmes such as Veg Out for the Discovery Channel, Follow That Tomato for The Food Channel, and Supermarket Secrets, a BBC One programme about supermarket food sourcing and distribution. Notably, he co-presented Eat Well for Less? alongside Chris Bavin and Inside the Factory alongside Cherry Healey and Ruth Goodman.
Wallace's ability to appeal to diverse audiences saw him branching out to game shows and historical programmes as well. In 2016, he was the presenter of the BBC historical game show Time Commanders, and in 2021 he presented a travel series on ITV, South Africa with Gregg Wallace. Despite his ventures into other genres, Wallace's passion for food and the culinary world remained evident throughout his career.
An Influential Figure in MasterChef
Since 2005, Wallace has significantly shaped the world of culinary television through his co-presentation and judging on BBC's MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef, and MasterChef: The Professionals. Alongside celebrity chef John Torode, Wallace has become a household name, affectionately known for his emphatic expressions and fondness for pudding.
Wallace's animated style captured the public's imagination in the 2013 YouTube viral video "Buttery Biscuit Base", where snippets of his voice from MasterChef episodes were arranged into a catchy song. This unexpected popularity showcased Wallace's broad appeal and his integral role in shaping the cultural zeitgeist of British culinary television.
A Life Lived Out Loud
Wallace has been candid about his personal life, including his weight loss journey, prompted by a dangerously high cholesterol level that put him at risk of a heart attack. His openness about this health struggle and subsequent loss of three stone resonated with many viewers, further deepening his connection with the public.
Beyond his weight loss journey, Wallace's personal life has been a rollercoaster of relationships. Married four times, he has faced heartache and joy in equal measure. His current marriage to Anne-Marie Sterpini, whom he met on Twitter, has blessed them with a son, Sid.
Legacy
Over the years, Gregg Allan Wallace's tenacious spirit, relatable persona, and passion for food have left an indelible mark on Britain's culinary scene and the public's perception of gastronomy. His commitment to promoting good food and educating the public about cooking and nutrition has played a significant role in shaping British food television, thereby creating a rich and delicious legacy.
- Gregg Wallaceen.wikipedia.org
