MasterChef winner to open restaurant in Birmingham

The winner of the BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals, Stu Deeley, is set to open his own restaurant in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter next spring.

Image: BBC (L-R: Stu Deeley, Exose Grant Lopo-Ndinga, Olivia Burt)

Deeley came out on top in the UK cooking competition, open to professional chefs, which was screened last night (19 December). Having cooked a final three course menu for judges Monica Galetti, Marcus Wareing and Gregg Wallace, his guinea fowl main course was a particular favourite.

Wareing stated that it was “probably one of the best guinea fowl dishes I have ever eaten. I cannot fault that dish.”

The Birmingham-born chef fought off stiff competition from Olivia Burt, sous chef at London’s Claridge’s, and Exose Grant Lopo-Ndinga, chef de partie – pastry at James Martin Manchester.

Deeley, who is currently head chef of The Wilderness, described winning the competition as “the best feeling ever” in a social media post.

He wrote on Instagram: “My main goal was make my son Jack proud! The support I have received along the way from @natasha.s.90 and friends and family has been fantastic, and I couldn’t have done it without them!

“Throughout my friends and chefs that have helped me when times got rough. It may of been a underdog story to begin with, but now it’s a story of of a Dad, a Brummie chef, and soon to be husband that just wants to smash down any barrier that comes my way. I love you all and I feel so loved in return.”

In a statement given to the BBC after winning, he said: “It would take footballers’ wages to make me leave Birmingham. I wouldn’t leave Birmingham for anything. This is where I grew up, this is where I live, this is where everything is for me.”

Earlier this month, Deeley announced he would be leaving The Wilderness, where he works under chef owner Alex Claridge.

Hours after the show was broadcast, he told Birmingham Live about his plans for his own restaurant.

Due to open in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter “because it’s affordable”, he added that he had a backer and had already found a site that he’s in talks to buy.

“I didn’t want to carry on working for someone else -– I want to create something for Jack’s future,” he added.

“Now is the right time. It will be about food that pays homage to Birmingham and its international influences – food I’ve cooked on MasterChef and at The Wilderness.

“My restaurant will look quite industrial and reflective of Birmingham’s rich history – what is was and what it is now.

“I have an idea for a restaurant name. It will be very much reflective of the type of Brummie fusion food I’ll be serving.”

Louisa Ellis, who was a finalist on the 2017 series and is now a private chef, also worked at the Wilderness before her TV appearance.