MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 Contestants – Jeany

It’s week 2 heat 1 of MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 and we are profiling the contestants. Jeany is 31 and from Belfast but was born on the Isle of Man.

Jeany, a 31-year-old Senior Sous Chef, was born in the Isle of Man but grew up in Belfast. She currently works at a fine-dining themed restaurant in Belfast. Jeany comes from a large family of six children and lives with her brother, who lives down the road from their other siblings and their mom.

Jeany started her culinary journey by doing an apprenticeship while completing her NVQ level 1 & 2. She then gained experience working at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast and The Haslem Hotel in Lisburn before landing her current job at A Peculiar Tea in Belfast.

When asked about how she got into cooking and what she loves about it, Jeany mentioned that she has always been fascinated with food. She recalls spending time in the kitchen with her mom and receiving cookbooks as Christmas presents. Both of her grandmothers were also great cooks, which further fueled her passion for food. Jeany has always been amazed by the variety of ingredients and flavors that can be combined to create delicious dishes.

Jeany describes her style of cooking as elegant and draws inspiration from her travels and Irish roots. Working at A Peculiar Tea, a quirky and fun restaurant, has pushed her out of her comfort zone and had a significant influence on her cooking style. She enjoys experimenting with unique and creative food presentations.

When asked about her decision to participate in MasterChef: The Professionals, Jeany explains that her current brigade is an all-female team of eight chefs. She feels supported in her current work environment and believes that now is the right time to challenge herself by competing in a prestigious cooking competition like MasterChef. Although she admits to feeling terrified, she knows that she has a supportive team behind her.

The next episode of MasterChef The Professionals airs Thursday 2 November at 8.00pm on BBC One.

Image Credit: Ola (BBC/Shine TV)