Who is chef Dara Ryan MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 quarter-finalist?

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 Dara Ryan, Sous Chef, 36 on the Quay in Hampshire.

Dara moved to New Forest from Limerick, Ireland at 16 to start his journey to becoming a chef.

Son of a chef, Dara’s whole family work in the hospitality industry and he hopes to make them all proud by competing in MasterChef: The Professionals this year.

Name

Dara Ryan

AGE

24

Where are you from/where do you live

Hampshire, originally from Limerick, Ireland.

CURRENT AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Dara completed an apprenticeship at Brockenhurst College, then went on to work at The Wykeham Arms in Winchester and Queen’s Hotel in Portsmouth.

He now works at 36 on the Quay in Hampshire.

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

“When I was a kid I wanted to work as a mechanical engineer in the army, but after I got my first job in a kitchen after finishing school I knew cheffing was for me. My dad was a chef for over 50 years and he’s just retired. My mum was a waitress and my brother and sister work as managers in hotels. Cooking is in my blood. I was silly to think I’d do anything else other than cooking to be honest!”

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

“I started off as a pub chef but then worked up to 2 AA Rosette-awarded restaurants and now I work at a 3 Rosette. I love fine dining food and using every part of the animal in my cooking. Foraging for ingredients is also really rewarding. I’m inspired by the seasons and the produce around me and I see my style as modern European.”

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

“I want to be a role model for young people and show that you can come from nothing and build up to something great. I’d love to use the competition as a stepping stone for my own restaurant one day. In the meantime I just want to build up my confidence and challenge myself.”

OUTSIDE OF COOKING WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS?

“I played rugby throughout school and after for Richmond RFC and loved it. I like sports and spending time with my family. I haven’t played rugby for a while but I still enjoy watching it with my mates. It’s social too which is great because us chefs don’t get a lot of time outside work.”