"Seeing the fresh, whole fish coming into the kitchen was amazing. Good luck, Exose. It was scary. And then when it came to Christmas time, in October 2015, they took me on.”. All Rights Reserved. What made him want to go through it again? Subscribe to our newsletter now. Mothersruin. All I’ve ever really known is Manchester. “I was so scared from watching previous years – the level of skill is so high. From the best food and drink deals to exclusive looks at new restaurants and bars, gig reviews and weekend plans - we've got you covered. lots of African food and lots of cakes. “They liked me, but they weren’t taking anyone on. We’ll have to watch to find out. Follow CityLife We have a dedicated Facebook page for … “Everyone seems proud actually, I keep getting loads of lovely messages. The late night attack happened outside a block of flats in Higher Blackley. It's now known what day and what time Manchester City will face Burnley in the Premier League. “So I kept messaging to ask if there were any jobs. “Because of this, I had very different teenage years to my friends. Since then he has won Chef of the Year 2019 at the Caesars Entertainment Chef & Bartender Awards, earlier this year, and has been praised by James Martin himself. "We got to see the process from start to finish - the preparation through to plating up the dish. Exose Lopo-Ndinga, a 22-year-old chef de partie at James Martin Manchester who trained at South Trafford College, is currently storming ahead on hit BBC show MasterChef: The Professionals.. From thinking he was going home after the very first round, where he had to prepare and cook an artichoke on the skills test (“ It was scary. It’s just a great city.”. Exose, who says he was inspired by his mother's cooking at home growing up, said: "I’ve always felt most at home in the kitchen. Chef de partie Exose Lopo-Ndinga, who trained at South Trafford College, will appear on national TV this week as a contestant on hit BBC show MasterChef: The Professionals.. It’s the second time Exose has appeared on a national TV cookery competition, having also been on Channel … “I moved here when I was three. “I had never been in a proper chef’s kitchen before. He won Chef of the Year 2019 at the Caesars Entertainment Chef & Bartender Awards earlier this year and has been praised by James Martin himself. And the other team got chicken – I’d have loved that”) he has gone on to impress more and more with each task. He also still loves a Five Guys burger: “I’ve not had one for ages, and I’m missing it,” he laughs. "We’re all very proud of him here at James Martin Manchester and look forward to following his MasterChef journey!". “I’ve just been soaking everything up like a sponge. This year, the VIP guests boasted 26 Michelin stars between them and included three Michelin-starred Matt Abé, two starred Sat Bains and Mark Birchall, Jun Tanaka, Nigel Haworth, James ‘Jocky’ Petrie, Nieves Barragán, Atul Kochhar and James Knappett. "It’s no surprise to my family that I ended up becoming a chef. "Though they've been quite taken aback to see me appearing on the telly!". It’s really boosted my confidence, to see what I’m capable of. But you MUST follow the new rules if you head to the shopping mall. Avillez, who has put Portuguese gastronomy on the map. I’ve not had one for ages, and I’m missing it,” he laughs. All the top chefs loved it. "He is an extremely talented and creative chef who is hard working and always ready to learn. Exose Lopo-Ndinga has been making waves on the BBC programme - and it's all down to one very special person. We’ve got some really good restaurants, and loads to do. MasterChef is the second time Exose has appeared on a national TV cookery competition, having also been on Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals earlier this summer. "You can be trained in how to do things but you need to have a natural flair too. What cops found stashed at this man's house landed him in prison for six years, Mark McNamara, 28, was today (Friday) jailed at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, What happens to Greater Manchester after national lockdown? I do love to cook in my spare time.”. 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From thinking he was going home after the very first round, where he had to prepare and cook an artichoke on the skills test (“It was scary. “When I went to college, that’s when it really started to happen", he said. Tuesday night’s episode saw the four chefs cooking for some of the industry’s biggest names. 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MasterChef: The Professionals. “Scary!” he laughs. Following years of watching his mum at home, it was at Manchester Academy High School, where he studied food technology, hospitality and catering, that Exose first showed real promise creating flavours. “I think with cooking and baking, it’s in your blood. It's now known what day and what time Manchester City will face Burnley in the Premier League. If you ask any up and coming chef who their inspiration is, chances are they will reel off a list of top names from the food industry. Looking ahead, Exose said: “I’d love to run my own kitchen in the future. MasterChef: The Professionals will air on BBC Two at 8pm tonight, Tuesday November 26. We also have Facebook groups specialising in eating out around Manchester and going out . When I got my own place I had to invite them in groups of four because we’re such a big family. Where did he get the inspiration from? And that made me feel like, yeah, I’m good at this, I’m going to pursue it.”. In tonight’s penultimate challenge, the four remaining chefs fight to secure their place to be one of the final three, and the the opportunity of a lifetime to work in the kitchen of one of the world’s leading chefs, Jos. The inspirational life story of Manchester's MasterChef: The Professionals contestant. “James Martin was actually in the kitchen when I was doing my placement, so that was amazing,” he says. Who will cope and who will crack? The rest of the family didn’t know until I was on TV. The late night attack happened outside a block of flats in Higher Blackley. Exose then joined the team at James Martin Manchester four years ago, where he has worked his way up to chef de partie and head of pastry. We have a dedicated Facebook page for all the latest on where to drink, eat, shop, go out and events across Greater Manchester. 8,573 posts. I’m a chef now, so I’ve got to try it. Andy Burnham says there's a strong chance we'll be back to Tier 3, The second national lockdown ends on December 2, A further 31 people have died in Greater Manchester hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus, The NHS said on Friday a further 246 people who tested positive for the virus have died in hospitals in England, Coronavirus LIVE as number of new UK infections hits record levels on Thursday, Updates from Greater Manchester, the UK and globe, Two men seriously hurt after car crashes into wall during early hours police chase, The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Exose Lopo-Ndinga is chef de partie at James Martin Manchester inside the Manchester235 Casino. It’s been really nice.”. Manchester United fixture with West Brom moved for TV coverage. They want me to cook all the time. “And we’d had a similar dish at James Martin before, with fried octopus and hake, so I wanted to do my own version as a thank you to the restaurant and to Ollie at Hyde.”. 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SEE ALSO: MasterChef: The Professionals kitchen location held Gordon Ramsay shows and SU2C events! I’d never seen one before in real life! A Manchester-born chef, currently working in the kitchens at James Martin's restaurant in Manchester, will star on the new series of Masterchef: The Professionals tonight.