It’s week 2 heat 2 of MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 and we are profiling the contestants. Evelina is 28 and originally from Lithuania now based in Scotland.
Evelina, a 28-year-old Chef de Partie, was born and raised in Lithuania. In 2013, she moved to Scotland and began her journey to become a chef. She currently resides in Perth with her boyfriend Tom.
Evelina’s experience in the culinary world is quite impressive. After moving to Scotland, she completed a SVQ in professional cookery and spent seven years working her way up in various kitchens in Aberdeen. She even had the opportunity to run the kitchen of a new coffee and ale house called Craftsman Company. Evelina then entered the world of Michelin kitchens, working at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie (2*) at Gleneagles Hotel. Currently, she holds the position of Chef de Partie at Glenturret Lalique Restaurant (1*) near Perth.
When asked about her passion for cooking, Evelina shared that growing up in Lithuania, surrounded by nature, inspired her to become a chef. She fondly remembers collecting sap from backyard trees with her family and being fascinated by the process of turning it into syrup. Additionally, she enjoyed catching crayfish with her parents and later cooking them. Evelina’s interest in professional cooking grew when she moved to Scotland and worked as a kitchen porter. Watching the chefs prepare meals sparked her curiosity, and she started asking them questions to expand her knowledge of cookery.
Evelina describes her cooking style as versatile and creative. She sees her kitchen as a playground where she can experiment with flavors, textures, and presentation. While she enjoys designing recipes from scratch, she also likes putting her own twist on classic dishes. Evelina believes that food should be enjoyable and nutritious, and she strives to ensure that every meal she prepares reflects the care and respect that went into making it.
When asked about her decision to participate in MasterChef: The Professionals, Evelina expressed her desire to challenge herself and become a better chef. After years of working as an aspiring chef, she felt it was time to take the leap and try her hand at such a prestigious cooking show. Evelina sees it as a great opportunity to test her culinary skills and showcase her talent.
Outside of cooking, Evelina has a variety of passions and hobbies. She enjoys traveling, hiking Scottish mountains, exploring street food, playing volleyball, going to the gym, and painting.
Image Credit: Evelina (BBC/Shine TV)
