Shaun for MasterChef 2025 Heat 1 / BBC
Age: 28
Occupation: Digital Marketing Manager
From: Manchester via Zimbabwe, Cambridge and Peterborough
How would you describe your style of cooking?
“I’d call my cooking style curious and flavour-driven. I love challenging myself to recreate dishes I’ve eaten out or seen online, sometimes with the goal of making them even better. I don’t stick to a specific cuisine, but I do gravitate towards bold Asian flavours and ingredients in my day-to-day cooking. It’s all about experimenting, learning, and pushing myself each time I step into the kitchen.”
What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why?
“Chicken is hands down my favourite ingredient to cook with. Its versatility is unmatched; you can break it down, roast it, fry it, poach it, and every part serves a purpose. Even the bones become a rich stock that can elevate an entire dish. There’s always something new to try with chicken, and I don’t think I’ll ever run out of ideas for it.”
Why did you enter MasterChef this year?
“I entered MasterChef this year because I wanted to challenge myself and take my cooking to the next level. Cooking has always been a passion, but this felt like the perfect opportunity to push my boundaries, learn from the best, and see how far I can go under pressure. I wanted to test my creativity, improve my skills, and hopefully inspire others who love food as much as I do. MasterChef isn’t just a competition for me, it’s a chance to grow and make my mark on the food world.”
MasterChef returns Wednesday at 8pm on BBC One.
