MasterChef: The Professionals 2017 champion Craig Johnston is the new head chef of Marcus at The Berkeley

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Deputy Editor

MasterChef: The Professionals 2017 champion Craig Johnston is the new head chef of Marcus at The Berkeley, joining co-chef patrons Shauna and Mark Froydenlund at the helm of the Michelin-starred London restaurant.

The chef, who took the title on MasterChef: The Professionals aged just 21 - making him the youngest winner in the series' history - was hired by Marcus Wareing shortly after the competition, and was rapidly promoted to the role of sous-chef and senior sous-chef.

Chef owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant, judge and and co-host of the BBC series - season 14 of which is set to start on Monday 8th November - shared the news on social media, where he said:

"We’re so delighted to announce that Craig Johnston has been officially promoted to Head Chef! ⁣
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"⁣After nearly four years in our kitchen, he’s become an invaluable part of our team, leading from the front and making our menu what it is today. ⁣
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"⁣In this new role, he’ll be working closely with Marcus, Mark, Shauna and the wider kitchen team, delivering an exceptional experience for each and every guest that works through our door. ⁣
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"Congratulations Craig!⁣"

Craig trained at two-AA Rosette Maidenhead restaurant Boulters under chef Daniel Woodhouse while he studied his NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Professional Cookery at Henley College.

The young chef then staged at Pollen Street Social before joining the Royal Oak Paley Street in Maidenhead, Berkshire, where he worked when he took part in MasterChef.

Shauna and Mark Froydenlund worked for Marcus Wareing at what was then called Pétrus, and joined him when it made the change to The Berkeley in 2008 before it was revamped and renamed 'Marcus' in 2014. They were named joint chef patrons in 2017.
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