Gareth in MasterChef: The Professionals 2026, Heat 8 / BBC
Age: 39
Lives: Whitefield, Greater Manchester with his wife and two children
What is your background in the industry?
“I am a self-taught chef whose journey has taken me from Berners Tavern to Harlem Food Bar in New York City. Cooking has always been part of my life and going self‑employed to start my own business, The Wandering Cumbrian, remains one of my proudest achievements. During filming, I continued to run my private chef business, travelling to clients’ homes and creating personalised dining experiences.”
How would you describe your cooking style?
“My cooking style is modern British with influences from around the world. Nostalgia plays a big part in how I build dishes — I love transforming memories and moments into plates that evoke the same emotions and flavours.”
What are three ingredients you couldn’t live without?
“Butter, butter, more butter!”
Why did you take part in the show?
“I have watched the show for years but never imagined myself competing. I’ve had imposter syndrome throughout my career, and I wanted to show my son the importance of taking risks and believing in yourself. After dreaming I was on MasterChef and receiving an email saying applications are now open the next morning, I took it as a sign to apply.”
The new series of MasterChef: The Professionals is ongoing on BBC One and iPlayer.
