Who is chef Emma Shephard, 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 Emma Shephard, Chef Lecturer at University College Birmingham.

Emma is a former UCB student, trained through the NVQ programmes until degree level in Culinary Arts Management (CAM).

NAME

Emma

AGE

38

Where are you from/where do you live?

Walsall, West Midlands

What type of a chef are you?

Chef Lecturer

Do you have a favourite type of cuisine?

“I love traditional classical cookery, and this is my main style. I am influenced by current trends that come through on social media.”

How did you become a chef?

“Cooking is a real passion that stems back to my nan. She was my first cookery teacher - always standing on the kitchen chair to reach the work surface whilst cooking with her. I love cooking as it enables me to be creative, but to also show people I care as I am a feeder!”

Where have you worked?

Former UCB student, trained through the NVQ programmes until degree level in Culinary Arts Management (CAM). Worked in various hotels, health spas, contract catering within businesses and the industry.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

“Becoming a Chef Lecturer at University College Birmingham. This was something I have wanted to do since the age of 16 when I was a student at the college where my lecturers inspired me. This is what I want to pass on to my students.”

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

“I wanted to take part in MasterChef: The Professionals to challenge myself but also to show my students that hard work and putting yourself out there helps you grow as a chef and a person.”