Who is chef Himanshu Verma 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 Himanshu Verma, Chef de Partie, at a private member’s club.

Himanshu is 24 years old and works for a private member’s club in Mayfair, London.

He was born and raised in New Delhi, and has worked across India and Dubai before moving to the UK last year.

Name

Himanshu Verma

AGE

24

Where are you from/where do you live

East London, originally from New Delhi, India.

CURRENT AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Himanshu studied at the International Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi. In New Delhi, he has worked at Five Palm and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Dubai. He now lives in London where he works at a private member’s club.

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

“Food has always been part of the family. I remember my mother making fresh flatbreads back in India and feeding them to the cows who came to visit at the windows. The first time I made something myself I was around eight years old and it was a Chai Tea for my mother. The look on her face when someone made something for her was priceless and that’s when I realised the power of cooking for someone.”

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

“I was trained in India but then when I worked in Dubai I spent time in French and Japanese restaurants. I grew up eating Indian street food but have worked in high end places where presentation is key. My style of food is a combination of it all - modern European with classic Indian influences.”

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

“I started doing cooking competitions in Dubai and really enjoyed them, so when I moved to the UK I wanted to continue. MasterChef: The Professionals was the first competition I came across so I applied. I speak to my mum back home in India every day and all I want really is to make my family proud.”

OUTSIDE OF COOKING WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS?

“I love learning about food from all over India and my dream one day is to visit more regions and experience the difference in cuisines. As well as travelling, I love to sing and dance. You can usually catch me singing along whilst cooking.”