After being a part of the show for four years, judge Joe Bastianich is leaving 'MasterChef' after the sixth season ends in 2015.

Bastianich, a 46-year-old American-Italian chef and New York restaurateur, has been a part of the hit show since it began in 2010, along with co-judges Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot.

In a statement he released on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Bastianich wrote, "After several gratifying years as a judge on MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, I have decided not to return for a sixth season."

According to the longtime judge of the FOX's show, the move is an effort to focus his attention in the global expansion of the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, as well as Eataly throughout the Americas, where he is partner and co-owner.

Bastianich's fellow judges on the show have yet to comment on their colleague's departure from 'MasterChef' and its spinoff, 'MasterChef Junior', while showrunners are now beginning to look for a third judge to replace Bastianich.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement released to E! News by producers FOX, One Potato Two Potato and Sine America, it said that despite the departure, Bastianich will "always remain a member of the 'MasterChef' family."

"Joe has played an integral role in the success of both MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, and we all appreciate his incredible culinary insight, sense of humor and passion," the statement read.

In response, Bastianich expressed his pleasure in working with his fellow judges, as well as with FOX, adding that he's looking forward to further collaborations with Shine America as he is still set to continue being a judge on 'MasterChef' Italia.

In addition, Bastianich will be appearing in the second season of the CNBC show, 'Restaurant Startup'.