Who is chef Dan Herbert MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 contestant?

Ahead of MasterChef: The Professionals 2023, which airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Monday 23 October, we find out more about the chefs taking part.

Introducing Dan Herbert, Senoir Sous Chef, Norwich.

Thirty-two-year-old Senior Sous Chef Dan, was born in Norfolk and after a stint of work experience in a local café as a teenager, he was encouraged and supported by the owner in going to catering college.

He spent a year working in Australia, which further ignited his passion for food and has since worked in AA Rosette-winning and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Name

Dan Herbert

AGE

32

Where are you from/where do you live

Norwich, Norfolk.

CURRENT AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Dan has gained experience across a variety of kitchens in 2 AA Rosette restaurants and hotels, as well as doing stages in Michelin-starred restaurants including Raby Hunt in Darlington and Michael Wignall at The Latymer, Pennyhill Park.

Closer to home, Dan worked at The Neptune Restaurant with Rooms, Congham Hall and now works at The Harper Hotel in Norfolk.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO COOKING AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?

“At 15 I started working in a local café for work experience and the owner saw something in me and put me through catering college. In 2011 I moved to Australia and that’s where my love of cooking really stepped up a gear. I like taking simple ingredients and experimenting with them to turn them into something unreal,. It’s something I never get bored of.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF COOKING AND ANY INFLUENCES ON IT?

“I’ve worked in lots of classic fine dining restaurants, which massively influences me, but I’d describe my own cooking style as rustic fine dining rather than the classical approach – letting the flavours speak for themselves.”

WHY DID YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS?

“I applied to MasterChef: The Professionals to challenge and push myself out of my comfort zone. It’s important as a chef to constantly learn and pushing yourself in a competition is a good way of doing that. I want to give this my best shot.”

OUTSIDE OF COOKING WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS?

“I love football and enjoy going to watch my local team play in Cromer, going to the gym and eating out. I’ve got loads of tattoos too, which I guess you could say is a hobby! One arm is under-the-sea-themed; another arm is space and Star Wars-themed. I also have fruit, veg and a Cornish pasty tattoo.”