Who is Masterchef: The Professionals 2020 chef, Dave Wells?

Introducing David 'Dave' Wells, one of 32 contestants on MasterChef: The Professionals 2020, airing on BBC One for six weeks from November 10th.

The head chef at The Fat Frog in The Chequers impressed judges Monica Galetti, Marcus Wareing and Gregg Wallace as well as critics Jimi Famurewa and William Sitwell. 

Michelin-starred chef Andrew Wong was on board with his novel take on the classic Chinese Dim Sum in the semi-finals challenge, securing him a spot in the finals.

Who is in the MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 final?

Dave will be returning to our screens alongside chefs Philli Armitage-Mattin, Alex Webb, Bart van der Lee, Santosh Shah and Jono Hawthorne on Tuesday, 15th December. 

1) Full name

David Wells

2) Nickname

Wellsy

3) Age

39

4) Where are you from / where do you live?

Didcot, Oxfordshire

5)Are you married/in a relationship/do you have any kids?

I am engaged, have three daughters and one son.

6) What type of a chef are you?

I am a classically trained chef with a modern twist, hopefully a good one!

7) Where have you worked?

The Fat Frog,  which is modern European, Robinson restaurant, also modern European, Al bergue, French. There are so many more, I could go on forever.

8) Who are your mentors/role models/people you look up to, in your professional and/or personal life?

Tom Aikens, Marcus Wareing, John Williams MBE, in no order. Also, Tyson Fury and Billie Joe Saunders.

9) What is your guilty pleasure dish (not necessarily cheffy, cheesy baked beans on toast is a perfectly respectable reply!)?

Mince beef and onion pie, chips, baked beans and gravy.

10) What is the best thing / worst thing about being a chef? 

The best thing about being a chef is being able to create and see people love your food. The worst things are the long hours and people not appreciating all the hard work you've put in.

11)  How did it feel to step onto the set of MasterChef: The Professionals?

Very nervous. I was sh****ng myself, I didn't want to go out first round I was under so much pressure.

12) How did 2020 compare you what you thought it would be this time last year?

2020 has been a disaster. The restaurant just closed restaurant so I was unemployed. On a good note I had a beautiful daughter and was on MasterChef.