Harrogate chef impresses on Masterchef: The Professionals

A Harrogate chef who started his career working in the kitchens at Pinocchios Italian restaurant has been impressing the judges on the latest series of Masterchef.

Mark Holland, 34, has been wowing two Michelin-starred chef Marcus, formidable perfectionist Monica Galetti, and Masterchef maestro Gregg Wallace in the eighth series of the professional version of the show.

Mark has made it to the knock out stages of the hotly contested competition and will be next appearing on our screens the week beginning December 8 when he will go head to head against the 12 most talented chefs in the series.

The former Harrogate Grammar School student admitted that the nerves got to him much more than he anticipated.

He said: “I watched previous series of the show and saw people making silly little mistakes and thought that would never be me. But when you are there and the cameras are on and the judges are watching your every move, it is nerve racking.

“It is a totally different pressure to a normal kitchen environment.”

Four years ago Mark moved to London to work as Sous Chef at the award winning gastropub, The Bull and Last.

“My career goal is to own my own Michelin starred gastro pub in the country one day, wether that is back up Yorkshire at home or not I don’t know.

“I learnt a lot about the importance of local ingredients and all that Yorkshire has to offer working at the General Tarleton at Ferrensby.”