CHRIS Willoughby took a leap of faith when he decided to swap being a circus performer for cooking on MasterChef.
It looks like it’s paid off as he’s managed to land himself a place in the final.
Chris Willoughby is a circus performer from Oxfordshire.
He lives with his long term partner and interior designer, Kim
He’s explained that food has always been a big part of his life as his job has allowed him to travel, meaning he has been able to sample dishes from across the world.
His passion for food was heightened even more when Covid hit and lockdown meant that he wasn’t able to work.
Chris said: “My passion for cooking really blossomed with traveling and getting my hands on Asian ingredients.
“During lockdown I also became very focused on food.
“All of my performing work was cancelled and I was left with time to think and eat!”
Chris entered MasterChef to challenge himself and his cooking ability.
Being able to achieve new things has always given me the passion to keep growing.
Chris Willoughby
He said that the further he got in the competition, the more determined he was.
He said: “I entered MasterChef because I have always loved the series and the competition. Who doesn’t love a challenge?
“And this is one that will definitely test you. I felt my cooking had gotten to a good level and I was ready to be tested and learn new things along the way.
“I’m always striving for the next new thing. Being able to achieve new things has always given me the passion to keep growing.”
Chris was inspired by his grandmother when it comes to cooking.
His passion first began when he would watch her cook a Sunday dinner and he wondered how she put it all together.
“I’ve always been fascinated by cooking. It probably started from watching my grandma cook a great Sunday roast pork and being fascinated by how she would do it and make things taste so nice,” Chris said.
Chris said his cooking is more than just a hobby and now it is an “obsession”.
Chris takes his presentation seriously when cooking on MasterChef.
His style has been influence by a mixture of people and places he’s visited.
Chefs such as Mary Berry, Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver have played a role in Chris’ passion for food.
He said food from Japan, Spain and Thailand “speaks” to him.
Chris has dreams of using his cooking talents to release his own books.
His time on MasterChef has inspired him to build a career on TV and create his own food documentaries.
Aiming high, Chris said: “I’d also like to curate and direct my own immersive dinner theatre experience.”
Chris is one of four people who have secured a place in the 2024 MasterChef final.
He is joined by Abi Kempley from Leeds who works for her family’s salad company.
She has managed to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace so far and was pushed by her mum to enter the show.
Farmer Louise Lyons Macleod from Staffordshire is also trying to get her hands on the MasterChef trophy.
Louise was inspired to enter the programme when she was five years cancer free.
Brin Pirathapan, who is a vet from Essex, has also got a place in the final.
His love for cooking began when he went to university.
You can tune in to watch the MasterChef final on Wednesday May 22, 2024.
The programme will air on BBC One and you can catch up on previous episodes on BBC iPlayer.
MasterChef will also air each weekday before the final at 8pm.
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