CONTESTANTS WITH RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
MASTERCHEF 2019 is back on our screens next week. Judges Gregg Wallace e and John Torode are returning for the show’s 15th series, searching for the best amateur cook. Contestants will have to succeed in tasks such as the The Market Challenge and The Critic’s Test to be crowned MasterChef Champion 2019.
The show’s return gives us the chance to look back at what previous winners have been up to since taking home the title... KENNY TUTT: 2018 Last year’s winner has a very fancy website that states he wants to “cook food that makes people smile”.
He provides menu development, private dining and a live cooking service and says that winning the competition has changed his life.
On New Year’s Eve he said that he had “exciting things” coming up in 2019 that he can’t wait to share. SALIHA MAHMOOD-AHMED: 2017 After facing off competition from 63 other contestants, Saliha became the 13th amateur cook to lift the MasterChef trophy.
Still training as a doctor, she is hoping to specialise in gastroenterology and dreams of combining her career with her passion for cooking.
She also has a book out called Khazana, which is a combination of Indo-Persian recipes. JANE DEVONSHIRE: 2016 A book of gluten-free recipes followed her win three years ago, as that is the way she cooks at home because use her youngest son Ben had coeliac liac disease.
Jane is a regular on television and radio shows, including Loose ose Women, and wants to continue nue working in food.
She says: “Before MasterChef ef I hadn’t considered working in the food industry but now my mind d is open to all sorts of possibilities.” SIMON WOOD: 2015 The 2015 winner opened a high-end end restaurant called WOOD Mancheshester. After being open for just one year, ear, it was recommended by the 2019 19 edition of the Michelin Guide. PING COOMBES: 2014 The home cook was propelled into the “dream come true” world of cooking after winning the 10th series. She impressed the judges with her Malaysian inspired cooking.
Ping, who lives near Bath, also works with Chi Kitchen in Oxford Street and has written a cookbook simply called Malaysia. NATALIE COLEMAN: 2013 The former credit controller and DJ had tough competition from her fellow finalists Welshmen Larkin Cen and Dale Williams. But win she did.
Taking the title enabled her to work at top-class restaurants such as Le Gavroche and gain work experience with chefs including Tom Kerridge and Marcus Wareing.
Her website, Hackney Girl Cooks, offers private dining and has set up Central Street Cookery Schools which helps teach children to cook healthy takes on fast food. SHELINA PERMALLOO: 2012 Shelina has published two cookbooks since her win – Sunshine on a Plate and the Sunshine Diet.
The former charity worker’s cooking is heavily inspired by the land of her heritage – Mauritius – and she has shared her love of the Indian Ocean island at foodie events across the country and on TV. Her aim is to open her own restaurant.
“Since winning the show in 2012 I’ve been fortunate enough to get involved with so many food related projects,” she said. TIM ANDERSON: 2011 London-based freelance chef, food writer and consultant Tim impressed the judges with his Far Eastern dishes in the 2011 series of the show.
After winning, he’s gained experience in the kitchens of Le Gavroche and the Fat Duck. American-born Tim also became an ambassador for Malaysian food and has o opened up Nanban, a pop-up eaterie eate which
specialises in Japane Japanese food. DHRUV BAKER: 2010 In the 2010 series, ser amateur chef Dhruv Dhru brought with him culin culinary expertise from two tw distinct areas: Mexico, Mexico where he was born, a and India, where he was raised. He is now involved in charcuterie charcu firm Tempus. Temp Their fare is stocked at some of the best shops s , i in ncl udi ng Selfridges S and a Ruby & White in Bristol. MAT FOLLAS: 2009 Mat won the TV series BBC MasterChef in 2009, then opened his first restaurant, The Wild Garlic, to considerable national acclaim. The Wild Garlic was awarded 2 AA Rosettes and was recommended in The Good Food Guide and The Michelin guide.
In 2016, the New Zealand-born chef opened Bramble Cafe & Deli in Poundbury, Dorset, with his wife Amanda and their business partner Kate. JAMES NATHAN: 2008 Former barrister James had held down a number of jobs in the food industry since being crowned MasterChef.
His restaurant The Green Room at the Retallack Resort and Spa in Cornwall ran between 2013 and 2016.
In March 2016, James took over as the head chef at the prestigious St Enodoc Hotel in Rock, Cornwall. STEVEN WALLIS: 2007 The world was definitely Steven’s oyster after he picked up the title back in 2007.
He’s worked as a writer and private chef and has collaborated with Sainsbury’s, Rachel’s Organic and The Cooperative and set up specialist consultancy Tastebillion. PETER BAYLESS: 2006 With cookbook My Father Could Only Boil Cornflakes under his wing already, Peter has another up his sleeve.
The former ad man has been busy promoting his latest publication, writing for food magazines, appearing at food fairs and teaching at cookery schools. He also enjoys holding cookery demonstrations and masterclasses.
Peter is also commissioned by The Caterer Magazine as head chef to organise and prepare all the dishes for judging in their annual event, The Caterer’s Product Excellences Awards. THOMASINA MIERS: 2005 Thomasina changed roles after taking home the MasterChef crown, and is probably one of the most successful winners.
The former food writer became a TV celebrity after appearing in her own programmes on Channel 4.
After penning a number of cookery books and columns for national newspapers and magazines, she branched out to establish her own restaurant, the Mexican themed Wahaca. It’s been so successful the brand now has branches across the UK. MasterChef returns tomorrow, February 11, on BBC One at 9pm.