Dan Merriman, who is originally from Droitwich, has made the finals of MasterChef: The Professionals 2024.
The 29-year-old, who has spent the last seven weeks battling it out to be named as one of the best chefs in the world, has previously worked at The Crown Inn in Hallow as well as The Crown and Sandys in Ombersley.
Mr Merriman said: “I’m originally from Droitwich in Worcestershire and I am the eldest of five brothers.
“I now live in Accrington with my partner Chloe and our baby boy, Ernest.
“I did my NVQ whilst working as kitchen porter when I was a teenager, but all of my learning has been in the kitchen.
“I originally wasn’t that interested in cooking.
“I got a pot wash job at a local hotel called the Crown and Sandys in Ombersley, and they offered me the chance to start working in pastry, and it went from there.”
The chef, who now lives with his partner and baby boy in Accrington in Lancashire, has made it to the final three and the grand final episode is set to premier on BBC One from 9pm tonight (December 12).
Mr Merriman continued: “I’ve worked with incredible chefs, and I’m inspired by everyone who I’ve worked with.
“I’m definitely influenced by top chefs.
“A big one for me is Curtis Duffy, I first became a fan of him when he had a restaurant called Grace in Chicago.
“That’s probably one of my biggest inspirations.
“The way he thinks about food, his determination and the way his food is, it’s art.
“My biggest personal influence would probably be Chris Lovell, I worked under him when he was head chef at the Crown Inn in Hallow.
“I was making pastries and he took me into the fine dining world, which I didn’t know anything about.
“He took me all over the country with him and really mentored me.
“I also draw inspiration from the world around me, from day-to-day objects to art.”
The chef, who was “pushed into the TV show by his partner and her mum, said the experience was surreal and never expected to make it onto the show let alone get to the final.
Dan will be facing fellow chefs, Chiara Tomasoni from Devon and George Birtwell from North Yorkshire, in the finals of MasterChef: The Professionals 2024.