Darren for MasterChef 2025 / BBC
Age: 42
Occupation: Plasterer
From: Northamptonshire
How would you describe your style of cooking?
“I would describe my style as classical, big flavours and big portions! I really enjoy doing steaks with different vegetables. I tend to be inspired by a lot of television cooking programmes and chefs such as Tom Kerridge, Sally Abe and former MasterChef professional Aaron Middleton, to name a few. I like to see what dishes they create and try to put my own spin on them.”
What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why?
“Beef is my favourite ingredient due to the fact you can do so many different things with it. From cottage pie, beef stew to amazing melt in the mouth steaks.”
Why did you enter MasterChef this year?
“I entered MasterChef as I’ve always been quite vocal when watching these types of programmes and my partner challenged me to apply if I thought I could do better. I wanted to learn and test my cooking out with some other amazing home cooks.”
MasterChef continues weekly on BBC One and iPlayer.
