Hastings man wows judges on BBC’s MasterChef

A man wowed judges while competing in the BBC cooking show MasterChef.
MasterChef contestant Mike Rowe pictured at his home in Fairlight, East Sussex. SUS-210704-141910001MasterChef contestant Mike Rowe pictured at his home in Fairlight, East Sussex. SUS-210704-141910001
MasterChef contestant Mike Rowe pictured at his home in Fairlight, East Sussex. SUS-210704-141910001

Mike Rowe, 27, joined other contestants in putting their culinary skills to the test.

He got as far as the second heat in the competition but added he enjoyed taking part and had become good friends with the people in his group as part of the show.

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Mike’s participation fulfilled a long-held ambition he has had to take part in MasterChef.

Speaking about his experience, he said: “My first dish I cooked was a squid ink ravioli and the second dish, a chicken katsu curry. It was that dish that won me the MasterChef apron.

“I cooked for the previous winners and the judges.”

MasterChef is a competitive cooking show produced by Endemol Shine UK and Banijay and broadcast in 60 countries around the world. The current series is judged by John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

Mike, who lives in Fairlight, outside Hastings added: “Gregg and John were lovely and were very supportive the whole time.

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“In the future I am hoping to do some pop-up food demonstrations. I have started a YouTube channel called MikeRoweCooks and an account on Instagram.

“In the show I was part of a lovely group of five people and we’ve become very good friends since.”

Outside of cooking, Mike works as an entertainer for Disney Cruiseline.

He said he has had a passion for cooking since he was a child, when he was cooking dinner for his family at the age of 11.

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Last year, he saw an application to take part in MasterChef and decided to apply.

He said: “I didn’t expect to get anywhere near as far as I did. Hearing from the production team and getting a chance to take part in the show was something I have always wanted to do.”

* Got a story? Ring reporters Richard Gladstone on 07803 505794 or Stephen Wynn-Davies on 07393 754494.

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