Former MasterChef finalist urges contestants to ‘capitalise’ on TV appearance

Oli Martin, a finalist of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2018, has urged the class of 2024 to “capitalise” on their newfound spotlight.

Oli reached the last three of the competition six years ago, losing out to Laurence Henry, before returning to win the 2020 festive edition.

He is now executive chef of popular Preston restaurant Aven, having many years of experience working in Michelin star and AA rosette kitchens across the UK, France and Australia, such as Northcote Manor, Gilpin Lodge and Hipping Hall.

During his time on MasterChef, Oli cooked for the likes of Michael Caines and three Michelin-starred Anne-Sophie Pic.

Asked what advice he would give to this year’s chefs, who are just coming out of the MasterChef experience, with the final airing on BBC One this week, Oli told The Staff Canteen: “I’d just say capitalise on it.

“Take your time and choose the right things to do that sit well with you. Don’t go doing stupid brand collaborations that aren’t anything that’s long term, aren’t anything that’s going to work out for you, just for a quick buck now.

“I’d imagine a lot of things come through, I think even more so nowadays from when I was on it, because the growth of social media has been huge over the past five years since I was last on it.

“I think for those people coming through, take your time, think about what you want as your next step.

“For me, I wanted to continue working in the kitchen, continue in the restaurant I was working in. I was on a path with that and that was my focus and my decision.

“People just need to take their time, decide what they want to be doing next and then capitalise, because it doesn’t last forever. It’s not long until you’re old news again, because then the next MasterChef is out."

He added: “I’ve been watching myself this year and everyone has done fantastic. I’m cheering Dan along, from Lancashire!

“So just take your time, have a think about what you want to do, where you want to be next and then put those choices into play.

“At the same time, don’t be shy of reaching out to people, because people will think ‘I’ll wait until someone gets in contact with me’. If there’s something you want to be doing, somewhere you want to be going or there’s a brand you want to collaborate with, reach out to them.

“Don’t think you’re too good to be reaching out to them, just because you’re on TV and have had that bit of fame. Go out of your way to make these connections, speak to people and that’s how you build friendships.”