As I delve into the captivating stories of these two ambitious chefs, Nkosi and Toby, I am struck by their unique journeys that led them to the hallowed grounds of MasterChef: The Professionals.
The search for the next outstanding culinary expert resumes tonight, as MasterChef: The Professionals, a spin-off of the popular cooking show, makes its comeback on the 29th of October.
For the 17th season of the cooking contest, a total of 32 up-and-coming chefs from the United Kingdom will face off in the MasterChef kitchen to claim the title of the Champion of 2024.
This year, it’s been confirmed that presenter Gregg Wallace, along with chefs Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing, will all be back as judges on the cooking competition show.
Tonight, the initial competition begins, with the top four chefs stepping into the kitchen, each aiming to earn a spot in the quarter-finals on Friday.
In a unique twist, the competitors will face the renowned skills test, present creative variations of carrot schnitzels, craft delectable desserts, and design a two-course Signature Menu. Who among them can seize the moment?
The series adheres to a uniform structure, commencing with 32 chefs divided into groups. As the contest unfolds, they encounter numerous demanding tasks designed to evaluate their abilities, such as preparing dishes for critics and visiting chefs, creative challenges, catering assignments, trials in renowned restaurants’ service, and hosting a chef’s table event.
In the final week, the field narrows to just four contestants, who then battle for the top spot.
However, who is set to grace our screens this upcoming year? Here’s a rundown on the fresh talent competing in MasterChef: The Professionals 2024.
MasterChef: The Professional Chefs
Heat one
Gaston
Age: 29
From: Lives in Queen’s Park, London, grew up in Paris and Burgundy in France.
Gaston honed his cooking skills at a culinary institute in Burgundy before launching his career in the kitchens of Paris, where he apprenticed under well-known chefs such as Franck Graux at Le Dôme and Christophe Langrée at Le Faust.
For over a decade now, I’ve made London my home, pursuing my culinary dreams with every fiber of my being. Ten years ago, I found myself honing my skills as a sous chef and designing menus at the captivating wine bar, Cepáge, nestled in Notting Hill. Around eight years back, I decided to take the leap and establish my own private cheffing business, catering to discerning clients across the globe, both on a personal and corporate level.
Gaston shared that his family played a significant role in shaping his career as a chef. He expressed that his grandparents fostered within him an affection and admiration for food by instilling these values in their household. To him, food has always been a source of happiness and resilience, particularly during challenging periods at school.
He expressed that he decided to join MasterChef as an opportunity to display his passion for crafting exquisite French dishes using top-quality, locally-sourced British produce. Additionally, he mentioned that he’s about to celebrate his 30th birthday and wanted to make this year a particularly memorable one by participating in the competition.
Chloe
Age: 26
From: Hayes, West London
26-year-old junior sous chef Chloe didn’t originate from a family fond of food, but her passion for cooking was nurtured nonetheless. As she put it: “Growing up, we mostly ate nuggets and chips. But my grandmother had a knack for baking, and spending time in the kitchen with her sparked my interest. I then found myself drawn to all those cooking shows that filled our television screen during my childhood, which fueled my ambition to become a chef.
Chloe made her start studying Professional Cookery at Kent College. After graduating, she went on to work at restaurants including the Michelin-starred Glasshouse, Duck and Waffle, The Georgian House and more recently Kitchen W8. She currently works at The Tin Shed in Notting Hill.
The younger assistant chef admitted that she initially felt apprehensive about participating in such a tough contest: “I’m quite anxious about the competition and applying was a significant move. I’ve never had the self-assurance to do so, but now I believe I’m prepared. I have strong backing from those around me. My family and girlfriend have been my motivation, pushing me to take the leap, and I figured, why not?
Nkosi
Age: 25
From: Harrow, London, born in Zimbabwe and grew up in Northamptonshire
Chef Nkosi, born in Zimbabwe, relocated to the United Kingdom when he was three years old with his mother and sisters. After completing his studies in Culinary Arts at the University of West London, he began working as an apprentice chef at the Michelin-starred Goring Hotel.
Nkosi assumed various positions, one of them being a chef de partie at the Michelin-starred La Trompette. Currently, he’s employed at The Lanesborough Hotel, specifically in its three-AA Rosette eatery, The Grill Kitchen.
Nkosi shared that his brother-in-law, who was employed at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant during that period, sparked his interest in cooking. He elaborated, “I was captivated by the food, the teamwork in the kitchen, and the entire system it represented. That’s when I decided to pursue a degree in catering at university.
He mentioned that his friends and relatives have been encouraging him to apply to MasterChef: The Professionals for quite some time. He desires to challenge himself beyond the conventional kitchen settings he’s accustomed to. From a professional perspective, he believes that now is the perfect moment to make an attempt at gaining recognition for his skills!
Toby
Age: 40
From: Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Toby’s journey into the culinary field didn’t begin until his late twenties, following a shift from other professions earlier on. Prior to that, he dabbled in various careers such as gardening and volunteering as a firefighter.
Following my training in professional culinary arts, I’ve been fortunate enough to secure a position at the two-Michelin-starred establishment, Raby Hunt. Now, in my current role, I’m part of the team at El Castillo, a Spanish tapas restaurant nestled within the Auckland Project – an inspiring charitable initiative dedicated to revitalizing the Bishop Auckland region.
The 40-year-old cook desires to introduce fresh tastes to the United Kingdom. He expressed: “I’ve long admired food, and my enthusiasm has grown through my travels across Asia and Australia, where I witnessed how food fosters connections among people, as well as discovering unique ingredients and flavor pairings not commonly found in the UK. I have cultivated a strong passion for flavors and quality.
Toby decided to participate in MasterChef as a means to enhance his culinary abilities and provide for his loved ones. He expressed: “My goal is to solidify my cooking style, create my own future, and elevate my proficiency. I believe that collaborating with other chefs, learning from their techniques and influences, and receiving constructive feedback will guide me towards my future aspirations.
On Tuesday, 29th October, tune in to BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8 pm for the latest installment of MasterChef: The Professionals. Each week, catch new episodes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays for a span of seven weeks.
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2024-10-29 16:54