A talented local chef whose career highlight to date has been working for Raymond Blanc at his Michelin-star winning restaurant will be seen this Wednesday night on a mission for more culinary glory.
Chris Finnigan, who initially trained at Newcastle College, will be in action on BBC 1 on November 9 in the fourth episode of MasterChef: The Professionals where he will be showcasing his skills in the kitchen as one of four new cooks being introduced to the show. The current series - the 15th - of the cooking competition will see a total of 32 professionals battle it out over its six-week run to become the 2022 Champion.
Chris, from Birtley in Gateshead, was busy as head chef at restaurant-bar Leila Lily's in Newcastle during filming for this heat round where he competes for a place in Friday's quarter-finals. The 37-year-old, who lives with his partner and two children, already has been making a name for himself with an impressive career which takes in a first head chef job at the age of just 21 and a first Rosette award, followed by a second at 23.
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After Newcastle College, he had six more years of training in Oxford and then worked in Northumberland and York. It was his time spent with the famous chef-patron of Oxfordshire's Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons that left the biggest impact.
He says of that four-year experience: "The highlight of my career is having the opportunity to work for Raymond Blanc at 18 years old. Landing the job there made my love of food grow and help me develop.”
He credits his mother with instilling that love in the first place. “My mum got me into cooking," he said.
"She was a passionate home cook that always put fresh food on the table. When I was 16, I instantly fell into catering as she taught me how to love and eat fresh food.”
He adds of his work now: “My cooking style is classical French with British, Asian and European influences. It’s a combination of food as I like to use all ingredients across my menus in a way that marries them well.”
Over the years Chris has worked as head chef in multiple AA Rosette venues as well as in brasseries, smoke houses, fine dining restaurants, hotels and gastro pubs. With TV viewers now set to witness some of his creations in the making, he adds: “Ultimately, one day I’d like my own restaurant.
"MasterChef gave me the opportunity to put myself, my body and my food on the line and test me at the highest level.” The episode will see the four rivals compete in two challenges set by the judges Gregg Wallace, Marcus Wareing and new addition Anna Haugh.
First, in the 20-minute Skills Test, Marcus will task the first two chefs with making ravioli with a filling of cheese and ‘nduja - Italian spiced sausage - then Anna will ask the others to fillet then cook some rainbow trout. All four must then create and cook a two-course Signature Menu which is an opportunity to show off creativity, flavour combinations and presentation skills.
Only two of the chefs taking part in the heat will go through to the next round. Marcus Wareing said: “The hunt for the 2022 champion is on and we’re ready to push these chefs as far as they can go. The sky’s the limit as far as I’m concerned and that trophy is just waiting to be claimed.”
Ahead of his show debut, Chris took to Twitter to share an update with his followers, writing: "Can’t believe I’m next up, I’m nervous now it’s so close to airing." He can be seen competing in MasterChef: The Professionals on BB1 this Wednesday at 9pm in a bid to get through to Friday's 8pm quarter-final. The episodes also will be available on BBC iPlayer.
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