Anna Haugh is an Irish chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and BBC television presenter best known for her appearances on MasterChef, Saturday Kitchen and Morning Live. Born on 6 November 1980 in Dublin, she is 46 years old as of November 2026. She has developed a respected career through professional cooking, restaurant ownership and television broadcasting.
After working with renowned chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, Derry Clarke and Philip Howard, she opened Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea, London, in 2019. Her cooking celebrates traditional Irish ingredients through contemporary European techniques.
In 2026, she became a main judge of BBC’s MasterChef alongside Grace Dent, bringing years of restaurant experience to the competition. Beyond television, audiences are interested in her family, relationships, cookbook and professional achievements. This biography explores her personal background, career, restaurants, motherhood and growing influence within British hospitality.
Anna Haugh Partner
Anna Haugh was previously in a long-term relationship with Richard Elwell, also known as Rich Elwell. The couple welcomed their son, Oisín, in 2021 after experiencing fertility difficulties.
However, their relationship later ended. In April 2026, the chef confirmed that she and her son’s father were no longer together. Despite their separation, they continued sharing parenting responsibilities.
She has explained that maintaining a positive environment for their child remains important. Her approach reflects an emphasis on family stability while managing demanding professional commitments.
Before their separation, Elwell was occasionally mentioned in interviews discussing her personal life and experiences of motherhood.
Nevertheless, Haugh generally avoids sharing extensive details about her romantic relationships.
As of November 2026, there is no reliable public confirmation of a new partner. Richard Elwell should therefore be described as her former partner rather than her current boyfriend or husband.
Anna Haugh Books
Anna Haugh published her debut cookbook, Cooking with Anna: Modern Home Cooking with Irish Heart, in 2024. Published by Bloomsbury, the book includes 85 recipes inspired by her Irish upbringing and experience in professional kitchens.
The publication focuses on helping home cooks prepare enjoyable meals using practical techniques and familiar ingredients.
Rather than concentrating exclusively on complicated restaurant dishes, Haugh encourages readers to improve everyday cooking through careful preparation and seasoning.
Some recipes featured in the book include:
- Guinness chocolate cake.
- Dad’s fish pie from Howth.
- Mammy’s shepherd’s pie.
- Braised beef cheeks with sweet potato.
- Coconut cod curry.
- Family-friendly vegetable dishes.
An international edition is also available under the title Anna Haugh’s Irish Kitchen: Modern Home Cooking with Irish Heart.
The cookbook reflects her commitment to making traditional Irish flavours relevant to modern home cooking while sharing professional techniques with a wider audience.
Anna Haugh Children
Anna Haugh has one son, Oisín Ronnie Elwell, who was born in 2021. His father is her former partner, Richard Elwell.
Motherhood has become an important part of her personal life. She has spoken openly about spending approximately seven years trying to conceive before successfully welcoming her son through IVF treatment.
Her journey was particularly meaningful because she was also developing her career in professional cooking and establishing her restaurant business.
Following Oisín’s birth, she faced the challenge of balancing childcare with restaurant management, television appearances and other commitments.
Professional cooking often involves long working hours, evening services and weekend responsibilities. These demands can make family routines difficult.
However, Haugh has spoken about finding practical ways to manage motherhood alongside her professional ambitions.
After separating from Elwell, both parents continued sharing responsibility for raising their son.
As of November 2026, Oisín remains her only publicly confirmed child.
Anna Haugh Net Worth
Anna Haugh has built a successful career through restaurant ownership, television presenting, cookbook publishing and hospitality work. However, her exact net worth has not been publicly verified.
Some celebrity websites publish estimated figures, but these often lack reliable financial evidence.
Her professional activities include several possible sources of income:
- Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea.
- The Wee Sister Wine Bar.
- BBC MasterChef judging.
- Television cooking appearances.
- Cookbook sales.
- Professional demonstrations and food-related events.
Although these activities demonstrate professional success, they do not establish her total personal wealth.
Restaurant businesses must cover significant expenses, including staff salaries, ingredients, rent and utilities.
Similarly, television contracts and publishing agreements are not always publicly disclosed.
Therefore, assigning a precise net-worth figure would be speculative. Her restaurant achievements and growing broadcasting career provide clearer evidence of her professional success.
Anna Haugh Restaurant
Anna Haugh founded Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea, London, in May 2019. The establishment specialises in modern European cuisine with a strong Irish influence.
The restaurant takes its name from Myrtle Allen, an influential Irish chef associated with Ballymaloe House in County Cork.
Haugh wanted to celebrate traditional Irish ingredients while presenting familiar flavours through contemporary cooking techniques.
Myrtle focuses on quality produce, thoughtful presentation and welcoming hospitality.
Its culinary approach includes:
- Celebrating Irish food traditions.
- Using high-quality seasonal ingredients.
- Combining European techniques with traditional recipes.
- Creating refined dishes inspired by familiar flavours.
- Providing a welcoming dining experience.
The restaurant received three AA Rosettes in 2021, recognising its cooking standards.
Haugh is also associated with The Wee Sister Wine Bar in Chelsea, which offers a more informal hospitality experience.
Together, these establishments reflect her commitment to promoting Irish-inspired cuisine in London’s competitive restaurant industry.
Anna Haugh Height
Anna Haugh is approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall, equivalent to around 157 centimetres.
Her height attracted attention following her appearances alongside Grace Dent in promotional material for the 2026 series of BBC MasterChef.
However, she has never considered her stature a limitation within professional kitchens.
Throughout her career, she has worked in demanding restaurant environments where technical knowledge, confidence and leadership are essential.
She also held senior positions in respected establishments, including Gordon Ramsay’s London House in Battersea.
Professional kitchens require discipline, organisation and the ability to coordinate staff during busy services.
Haugh has developed these skills through more than two decades of culinary experience.
Although height is a frequently searched personal detail, her professional reputation rests on restaurant leadership, cooking expertise and television achievements.
Is Anna Haugh Married?
Anna Haugh is not publicly confirmed to be married as of November 2026.
She was previously married, but has kept extensive details about her former husband private.
She later entered a long-term relationship with Richard Elwell, with whom she welcomed a son in 2021.
However, their relationship eventually ended. In April 2026, Haugh confirmed that they were no longer together but continued co-parenting their child.
Some older online biographies still describe Elwell as her current partner, but these accounts do not reflect their publicly confirmed separation.
There is also no reliable confirmation that Haugh and Elwell were legally married.
Her current relationship status should therefore not be confused with her previous marriage or former partnership.
She continues to focus publicly on her television career, restaurant businesses and family responsibilities.
Anna Haugh Baby
Anna Haugh welcomed her first baby, Oisín Ronnie Elwell, in 2021 after a lengthy fertility journey involving IVF treatment.
She has discussed spending approximately seven years trying to become a mother while continuing to develop her professional career.
Her son’s birth represented an important personal milestone, particularly after the challenges she experienced with fertility.
At the time, she was managing Myrtle Restaurant and expanding her television work.
Becoming a parent required her to balance childcare with demanding professional commitments.
She has spoken about the importance of supporting parents in hospitality, where evening and weekend schedules can create difficulties for family life.
Following her separation from Richard Elwell, both parents continued sharing responsibility for raising their child.
There is no reliable public confirmation that she has welcomed a second baby.
Her experiences have contributed to wider conversations about fertility treatment, working motherhood and maintaining professional ambitions after becoming a parent.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to Anna Haugh on MasterChef?
She became a main judge of BBC MasterChef in 2026 alongside Grace Dent. She previously appeared as a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals in 2022.
Did Anna Haugh Work for Gordon Ramsay?
Yes. She worked within Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant group and became the first head chef at London House in Battersea.
What Restaurant Does Anna Haugh Own?
She is the founder of Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea, London. She is also associated with The Wee Sister Wine Bar, another hospitality establishment in Chelsea.
What Is Anna Haugh Doing Now?
As of November 2026, she is known for her role as a BBC MasterChef judge and her continuing involvement with Myrtle Restaurant and The Wee Sister Wine Bar.
How Old Is Anna Haugh?
She was born on 6 November 1980 in Dublin, Ireland, making her 46 years old as of November 2026.
Does Anna Haugh Have Instagram?
Yes. Her Instagram username is @haughser, where she shares restaurant updates, cooking content and information about television appearances.
Does Anna Anna Haugh: The Fascinating Story Behind Her Culinary Expertise, Television Recognition and Professional Achievements
Have Any Children?
Yes. She has one son named Oisín, born in 2021. His father is Richard Elwell, her former partner.
Conclusion
Anna Haugh has established a respected career through professional cooking, restaurant ownership and British television. Her journey from Dublin to leading London kitchens reflects years of training, practical experience and determination.
Opening Myrtle Restaurant allowed her to celebrate traditional Irish ingredients through contemporary European cuisine. Her television appearances later introduced her cooking philosophy to audiences across the United Kingdom.
Her appointment as a main MasterChef judge in 2026 marked another important professional milestone.
Beyond cooking, she has shared personal experiences involving motherhood, fertility treatment and family responsibilities. Her cookbook also helps home cooks explore Irish-inspired recipes.
Ultimately, her achievements reflect culinary expertise, business experience and a commitment to preserving food traditions. She remains a recognised figure in modern British hospitality.
