Eckington Manor's Mark Stinchcombe wins MasterChef: The Professionals
Mark Stinchcombe has won this year's MasterChef: The Professionals competition.
Mark, 28, is one half of the culinary couple behind the restaurant at Eckington Manor in Eckington, Worcestershire, along with his wife Sue.
He became the ninth chef to win the competition when the winner of the final was revealed on Christmas Eve on BBC television.
"I can't believe it," he said, speaking about his win. "I am massively proud of what I have achieved - it has been such a long journey. It has been phenomenal.
"From the start I have always been the pretty stern one, so you have got some emotion out of me now."
He was awarded the title after beating fellow finalists Nick Bennett, 27, and Scott Barnard, 33.
Judge Monica Galetti said: "Mark's food is fabulous. This chef just continued to stun and wow us. I think he has got such a great future ahead of him."
Fellow judge Marcus Wareing added: "What a talent. I know one thing, if that chef ever opened up his own restaurant I would love to be the first customer."
Mark began his culinary career in the kitchens of the Royal Crescent in Bath at the age of 16 on work experience. He moved on to Ston Easton Park Somerset, followed by Michelin-starred Driftwood in Cornwall, under the tutelage of chef Chris Eden.
He has also worked for Hywel Jones at Lucknam Park, before spending two and a half years at Le Champignon Sauvage, where he met Sue.
Sue is head chef at Eckington Manor, having known its owner and founder Judy Gardner for several years.
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