A chef from an Oxfordshire hotel was successful in brasserie battle as he landed himself a place in the quarter-finals on Masterchef: The Professionals.
Ben Bullen, from Faringdon's Sudbury House Hotel, made his TV debut last night on BBC Two in the 10th series of the cookery contest.
The Bladon resident, who is head chef at the hotel's Magnolia Brasserie, competed against 47 others from around the UK to impress judges Gregg Wallace, Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing.
And impress he did, winning a place in the competition's quarter-finals.
And just like that, we have three more quarter-finalists. 🎉 #MasterChefUK pic.twitter.com/n3lf7b0hj7
— MasterChef UK 🍴 (@MasterChefUK) November 15, 2017
Marcus Wareing even described his lamb dish as 'fabulous' and clearly Mr Bullen was delighted with the comments.
"It's like being dumped and getting back together with a girlfriend in one day." 😂👏 #MasterChefUK pic.twitter.com/GGEpeUL7U2
— MasterChef UK 🍴 (@MasterChefUK) November 15, 2017
Today Mr Bullen is in charge of running the more informal dining room at Sudbury House where, together with his team, he has been awarded two AA rosettes for high standard of food and service.
Among his dishes on the brasserie's autumn menu are a twice-baked Quickes Cheddar soufflé and an autumn salad with black figs, candied walnuts and goat’s cheese.
But he is not the first Oxfordshire chef to take the heat in the professional kitchen.
Nick Bennett, head chef at the hotel's Restaurant 56, reached the finals in December 2015.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here