Who is chef Rachide Sambu Balde MasterChef: The Professionals 2024 contestant?

We find out more about the next batch of chefs set to take to our screens when MasterChef: The Professionals 2024 continues this week, next airing on Monday, November 11 at 9pm.

Introducing Rachide Sambu Balde, who works at Morchella in London.

Lisbon-born Rachide moved to the UK as a child and worked his way up by gaining experience in Michelin-starred kitchens.

NAME

Rachide Sambu Balde

AGE

30

WHERE ARE YOU FROM/WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

Rachide was born in Lisbon, Portugal. He moved to the UK when he was two years old and grew up in London with his parents, and younger siblings. He now lives in Clapham with his girlfriend Dimitra, who also works in hospitality.

CURRENT AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Rachide started out in Michelin-starred kitchens, firstly as a commis and working up to demi chef de partie at Galvin La Chapelle. In January 2018, he went to Singapore for two years, where he spent the first working in Bayswater Kitchen and the second at Michelin-starred Cure, before heading back to London. He spent two years at Perilla as senior sous chef there, before moving over to their sister restaurant Morchella, where he currently works.

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A CHEF?

“I stumbled into cooking by coincidence. A close friend of mine was a head chef and he loved it, telling me all the time what a great job it was. I spent some time with him in the kitchen and that was it, I knew it was for me.”

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

“My style is quite classical but with modern twists. I’ve travelled a bit and worked in Singapore so sometimes these influences come out in my dishes too. Overall, my food is uncomplicated and unpretentious, relaxed in style and playful.”

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

“I applied for MasterChef: The Professionals because I want to prove to myself I can do something like this, put myself in an uncomfortable position and see how far I get.”

OUTSIDE OF COOKING WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS?

“I love snooker and play against my friends when I can, which can get pretty competitive!”