A Kent chef will vie for the MasterChef title in the final of the hit show\u2019s latest series.<\/p>\n
Mark O\u2019Brien, the head chef at Willy\u2019s in Cliftonville, Margate, goes head-to-head against two other talented chefs in the programme\u2019s ultimate showdown tonight.<\/p>\n
Mark O’Brien, the head chef at Willy’s in Cliftonville, is through to the final of MasterChef: The Professionals. Picture: BBC<\/p>\n
The Irish cook has impressed judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti with his “fire-led” cooking, combining high-quality meats with techniques learned from his travels in the USA.<\/p>\n
He ran his own American BBQ pop-up, Snake Oil Barbecue in Margate, and previously worked at provenance-led establishments, including Samphire in Whitstable.<\/p>\n
Posting on Instagram ahead of the MasterChef: The Professionals finals week, Mark said: \u201cCrazy to think that it has all led to this.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most intense and exciting experience of my life and I couldn’t imagine a better group of chefs to be with all along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to everyone who has reached out over the last few weeks and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark O’Brien, the head chef at Willy’s in Cliftonville, is through to the final of MasterChef: The Professionals. Picture: BBC<\/p>\n
Mark spent a few years at University College Dublin studying medicinal chemistry and chemical biology before stepping back to pursue a career in restaurants.<\/p>\n
After attending a professional cookery course in Dublin\u2019s Cooks Academy, he started working at Coppinger Row in his hometown.<\/p>\n
He then worked with Robin Gill at the Dairy in London\u2019s Clapham, and is now head chef at Willy\u2019s in Margate.<\/p>\n