Algarve chef, Daniel Marreiros, has reached the final of popular UK show, Masterchef, hoping to lift the trophy later this week in the program finale.
A chef since 2012, Daniel trained at the School of Hotel and Tourism in Portimão. He moved to London in 2015 and has since cooked in a wide range of restaurants across the city, including the Michelin-starred Kitchen W8 and most recently at Portuguese restaurant, Volta Do Mar, working under another Portimão born chef, George Tannock.
George originally invited Daniel into his kitchen at the “O Leão de Porches” straight from catering school and there recognised Daniels potential. Later after George and Daniel had independently returned to the UK, George invited Daniel to join him at the “Chelsea Arts Club”. Two years ago he joined George as his sous chef, in another new restaurant, the “Volta do Mar” in Covent Garden.
Daniel impressed the professional chef judges, Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti in both his skills test and the signature round, then went onto cook for celebrated food critics Jay Rayner, Tracy McCleod and Jimi Famurewa in the quarter-finals. Despite tough competition from his fellow contestants, he secured his place in the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals, both his pop-up dish of red mullet and saffron broth and his signature dish went down a treat, making Daniel one of six chefs through to finals week, which starts on Tuesday, 14th December at 9pm.
Daniel says he has watched MasterChef: The Professionals for years, "I’ve been watching the competition closely. I’ve always thought to myself, one day I'm going do it, and it’s finally happened! I love the challenge that MasterChef presents and its intensity."
"Without a shadow of a doubt, the skills test has been the most stressful challenge. It was such a shock for me, but somehow, I quite enjoyed it. It’s an overwhelming feeling to find myself in the final week. It doesn’t feel real at all and I’m super grateful. I think everyone is going to bring their A-game. It’s going to be very tough."
As soon as MasterChef is over, 28 year old Daniel plans to take a well-earned rest to recharge his batteries and get ready for the next chapter. "I would love to have my own restaurant. It would be a place that has an open kitchen, where the guests come in and we are able to greet and engage with them in a unpretentious, relaxed environment – where we all have fun. I want to have the platform to keep polishing my food style and beliefs. If I can share that with the world, then perfect!"
You can follow Daniel on Instagram and Facebook.
GOOD LUCK DANIEL!!!
