Who is chef Darren Collinson, MasterChef: The Professionals 2022 contestant?

Ahead of MasterChef: The Professionals 2022, which airs on BBC One every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2 november, we find out more about the chefs taking part.

Introducing Darren Collinson, Executive Chef at Bowcliffe Hall, Bramham 

He has previously worked at The Gray Fox, Harewood House, Deloitte, Royal Amouries.

NAME

Darren

AGE

42

Where are you from/where do you live?

Mirfield, West Yorkshire

What type of a chef are you?

Executive Chef

Do you have a favourite type of cuisine?

“My style of cooking is modern British. I get inspiration from a range of other chefs and from the ingredients available around me, particularly those grown in the kitchen garden.”

How did you become a chef?

“I used to cook with my grandma as a child and enjoyed cooking for my family from a young age. Being in the kitchen allows me to be creative and I just really love developing new ideas and flavours.”

Where have you worked?

Catering College (two years); Various roles from Chef de Partie to Head Chef between College and 2006; The Gray Ox – 2006-2007 – Head Chef; Harewood House – 2007-2013 - Executive Chef Deloitte; Restaurant Associates – 2013-2020; Fine Dining Head Chef Royal Armouries – Restaurant Associates 2021- June 2022 – Head Chef; Bowcliffe Hall – June 2022 to present – Executive Head Chef.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

“I have cooked for some really important guests whilst at Harewood House, including royalty. I won Yorkshire Post Restaurant of the Year when I was working at Travellers Rest, Sowerby Bridge in 2005. I was so pleased to also get to my current role at Bowcliffe Hall which I really enjoy.”

Why did you want to take part in MasterChef: The Professionals?

“I have watched every series of MasterChef since I was a child – also watching Lloyd Grossman! I wanted to challenge myself and the modern series of MasterChef: The Professionals is inspirational to watch.”