Who is chef Peter Meechan MasterChef: The Professionals 2024 contestant?

We have reached the final heat in this year’s MasterChef: The Professionals 2024, which next airs on Wednesday, November 20 at 8pm.

Introducing Peter Meechan, who most recently worked as senior sous chef at ASKR.

Scot Peter has worked across some of his country’s best hotels and was the Young Chef Young Waiter chef winner in 2020.

NAME

Peter Meechan

AGE

27

WHERE ARE YOU FROM/WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

Peter, grew up in Falkirk with his parents, two brothers and four sisters. Food was always a priority with both parents being good cooks, which made it an easy decision to pursue a career in catering after school. Peter now lives in Falkirk with his fiancée Carrie.

CURRENT AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Peter finished school at 16 got his first job in the kitchen at the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel in Falkirk. He spent four years there, working up from commis chef to junior sous chef. He then went on to work at AA Rosette restaurants across Scotland, including The Balmoral Hotel and Gleneagles Townhouse before starting at ASKR in Edinburgh in March 2024, which closed last month.

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A CHEF?

“Growing up, I wasn’t really into food at home. It was my hospitality teacher at school who inspired me as it was the only subject I enjoyed. My dad was a chef as well, so I think those two reasons played a part in my path.”

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

“I am still trying to find my style. I like learning new things and at the moment I am quite into fermentation and using Asian influences. But it’s mostly just super seasonal, modern Scottish food.”

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

“Leading up to entering the competition, I’d had a couple of hard years, but joining ASKR gave me that push in confidence to do it. I wanted to test myself and see where I was at.”

OUTSIDE OF COOKING WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS?

“Cooking is my biggest passion, but I also do quite a lot of fishing, go for walks with my dog and my fiancée. That, and work takes up all of my time!”