Former Fife man has designs on television cookery show success

Brodie Williams bids to cook up a storm on BBC’s popular MasterChef

Pot Noodle, spaghetti Bolognese and baked potatoes might be regarded as the not-so-secret ingredients of every student’s cheap lifestyle.

But when Cupar-raised Brodie Williams, 27, started studying architecture at Glasgow School of Art nine years ago, he decided that he was not willing to survive on those staples – taking it upon himself to “raise the bar” of student cuisine by cooking Thai curries, cottage pie and roasts of lamb in his student flat instead.

Now, having worked for a couple of years as a design architect for lingerie company Agent Provocateur in London, he is turning up the heat on his cooking credentials with an appearance as a contestant on the BBC’s big food show MasterChef.

The former pupil of Newpark School in St Andrews and the Loretto School, Musselburgh isn’t allowed to say how he gets on in the pre-recorded show.

“I’ve always been quite keen at cooking – basically I was inspired by my mum,” said Brodie.

“So when I was 18 and leaving home, because my mum was not there anymore, I decided to teach myself to cook to a good level.”

Brodie admits that his culinary creations made him a “hit” amongst his student friends in Glasgow.

“The ultimate accolade came when a friend of mine said he’d be willing to pay for what he’d eaten – it was so good,” he laughed.

It was when he moved to work in London, however, that Brodie took his home cooking to another level.

And two years ago, with his creative juices needing fulfilled, he decided to start writing a cook book which he is illustrating as well.

Now, with renewed ambitions to become a professional chef, he decided to apply for MasterChef 11 months ago because he was interested in getting a “professional critique” of his skills.

Whilst his close family know the outcome, Brodie said it has been “one of the hardest things” keeping his participation secret from wider friends.

“I didn’t realise how secretive the process is until I got involved,” he added. “People will just have to watch!” Brodie is on MasterChef on Thursday, at 8pm on BBC One.

I’ve always been quite keen at cooking – basically I was inspired by my mum. BRODIE WILLIAMS

Brodie Williams, originally from Fife, is a contestant on the BBC’s MasterChef programme.