Harry for MasterChef 2025 / BBC
Age: 31
Occupation: Fishmonger
From: London
How would you describe your style of cooking?
“I’d say my food is a fusion of classic British and French cooking. I also like using modern techniques combined with great British ingredients.
“My cooking inspiration came from my mum at an early age. We rarely had takeaways and Mum always used to cook from scratch every night. It wasn’t limited to British food either, my mum cooked Asian and north African food quite a lot.
“As I got older my brother became a big cooking influence. He owns his own catering business, so he’s always cooked phenomenal food on a large scale. I’ve learned a lot from him.
“I’ve started trying new cultures of food and all our holidays are always dominated by what cuisines we can try. Being a fishmonger, I now have more access to the best of British fish and seafood. So, cooking with exciting types of fish is really challenging and exciting for me.”
What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why?
“My favourite ingredient to cook with is fish. For years I was afraid of cooking fish, it always stuck to the pan and was overcooked and dry. It was always a weakness that I wanted to turn into a strength, and it’s one of the main reasons I decided to become a fishmonger.
“Not only do I now feel comfortable cooking fish, but I have also so much more understanding of so many different types of fish and their flavours, not just salmon and cod!”
Why did you enter MasterChef this year?
“I’ve recently changed careers to being a fishmonger after working in branding for five years and I’ve rediscovered my love for home cooking. I wanted to prove to myself that I’m a talented cook, I’ve been told for years by my friends and family that I should apply. Now that I’m a fishmonger I feel it’s the perfect time to test my skills in the kitchen.
“I’d really like to prove to myself that I’m capable of creating exciting and new dishes and not just following recipes. This life change and career as a fishmonger has brought me closer to food in my life.”
MasterChef continues weekly on BBC One and iPlayer.
