MasterChef judge and restaurant critic Grace Dent is ‘smitten’ with one particular Welsh restaurant as she advised potential customers to ensure they “leave room” for cake
Robin Cottle Assistant Editor Trendswatch
14:24, 22 May 2026Updated 14:38, 22 May 2026
Grace Dent was full of praise for one Welsh restaurant(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Fortnum & Mason)
Celebrated restaurant critic and MasterChef judge Grace Dent has heaped praise on a Welsh restaurant that has left her utterly “smitten with”.
Grace ranks amongst Britain’s most distinguished food critics, and her profile rose even further when she was unveiled as one of the fresh faces presenting MasterChef last year.
The 52-year-old, alongside Irish chef Anne Haugh, stepped in to replace Gregg Wallace and John Torode after the latter pair became embroiled in a series of controversies.
Grace is passionate about demonstrating to British food enthusiasts that the finest dining experiences in the UK extend well beyond the capital. One establishment close to her heart is The Shed in Swansea.
In her Guardian column, Grace writes: “Chef Jonathan Woolway, after 16 years in London’s beloved St John, has finally returned home to Wales and set up shop, or rather a big, beautiful shed, here. Woolway is from Swansea, and passionate about fanning the flames of the local food scene,” reports Wales Online.
The Shed in Swansea(Image: The Shed/Facebook)
Amongst the dishes she lauds is the bara brith – a traditional fruit loaf flavoured with tea – accompanied by slices of heritage teifi cheese.
She was equally enamoured with the family-recipe Welsh cakes served with a shot of whisky, and the piping hot, crispy croquettes crafted from local cockles and potted Câr-y-Môr crab with warm flatbreads.
According to its website, The Shed offers a locally-sourced menu that changes on a daily basis, adding: “We take pride in our environment, are committed to sharing knowledge and devoted to nurturing local talent.
“This begins in the kitchen and is realised at the table; Egalitarian, convivial and accessible to all. Full in heart and generous of spirit, evoking that indomitable Welsh sense of Hiraeth that we hope will bring our customers back to us time and time again.”
Grace acknowledges that while the restaurant does make provisions for vegetarian diners, it primarily targets those who appreciate “farm-to-fork” dining experiences.
The Shed in Swansea(Image: The Shed/Facebook)
The culinary expert emphasised that regardless of your choices for starter and main course, it’s essential to save some appetite for dessert. The establishment enjoys a four out of five rating on Tripadvisor, with diners commending both the food quality and service standards.
She remarked: “If you’re heading to Wales this summer, make a detour for lunch and leave room for the Welsh cakes.”
In a separate Guardian piece, Grace observes: “I was smitten with Sète in Margate, the Blue Pelican in Deal and the Shed in Swansea – all fine examples of how, these days, it’s often “not London” where indies can let their imaginations fly, not least because the rent is so much cheaper.”
