A Masterchef: The Professionals semi-finalist from Leeds has spoken out about his experience on the programme.
Jonathan Hawthorne, who is the head chef at Vice and Virtue in the city centre, is one of the contestants competing in the popular BBC One culinary show.
The father of one says he entered the competition to put the city on the map as well as to give his one-and-a-half-year-old son Ted a better life.
Jonathan, 31, has worked as a chef for 16 years now and says that his success has not come overnight.
Speaking to LeedsLive he said: “My experience during the show was great I loved every minute of it as you can see on the show, I’m just having fun and being myself. What you see is what you get, I’m just Jono from Leeds that can cook a few bits and pieces.
“What you see on the show - which is all crammed into one hour - is years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication to my craft and career, this is not just an overnight success, this is years of graft all presented on a global stage.
"I do look back sometimes and think, wow! All the sacrifices and hard work that I have put in are starting to pay off.
“It’s been amazing, I couldn’t have asked for more support. I feel like I have the whole of Leeds behind me and supporting me on this journey, so thank you to everyone that has supported me.
"It’s not easy going on a worldwide stage and showcasing your self and skills to the world but it makes it so much easier when you have your city and team behind you."
Asked how he would celebrate if he won the show, he added: “Right now it’s very strange times but if it was normal times you would probably see me down Call Lane, celebrating with the industry and half of Leeds probably.”
The Masterchef: The Professionals semi-final is on BBC One on Monday December 8 at 9pm.
