Past and present employers of Teesside’s MasterChef star, Danny Parker, are hardly surprised by his performance ahead of the show’s finals tonight.
Danny, 24, of Bishopton in Stockton, will be one of five remaining chefs battling it out for the 2014 coveted title and after tonight’s opening cook-off the judges will send one more home.
Having began his career aged 14 at The Talbot in Bishopton as a pot washer, Danny progressed to sous chef. He then moved to Wynyard Hall around four years ago where he worked as chef de partie and later sous chef.
Paul Mackings, chief executive of Cameron Hall Developments which owns Wynyard Hall, said: “There was always something quite special about Danny.
“Not many chefs come in and work with food the way Danny did.
“He had that special relationship with food rather than just cooking it.
“I am not surprised that he has made the finals.”
During his time at Wynyard Hall, Danny also helped the restaurant to gain national recognition.
Paul, 53 said: “When Danny was here, along with the head chef, Alan O’Kane, he helped to take us from one AA rosette to three rosettes.
“It is a great accolade to achieve and they did an exceptional job.
“Chefs tend to move around and follow their passion. They are always looking for bigger and better things.
“You knew there was something more to come from Danny.
“There are some chefs that come in and then walk away and don’t think about their work until the next day.
“Danny lives and breathes it, you can tell.
“He has got the drive. He will be a star of the future definitely.”
At the beginning of this year, Danny became head chef at Kenny Atkinson’s House of Tides restaurant on Newcastle’s Quayside.
Owner Kenny Atkinson, 38, said: “Danny is a passionate young lad and is very driven. He knows what he wants to do and where he wants to go and that shone through.”
Kenny’s wife, Abbie, who is also part of House of Tides, originally pushed Danny to apply for MasterChef.
Kenny, who has won the Great Britsh Menu twice himself, said:“I am not surprised at all that Danny is in the finals. He has been outstanding so far.
“Danny understands the industry and he has the right focus that I look for in a chef.
“Obviously he wants to make a name for himself but on the back of that he is giving our profile a massive boost and our business too.
“Danny has still got years ahead of him. He is going to go far there is no doubt about it.
“He is definitely on the road to big things.”
The judges will begin tonight by setting the five finalists an invention test with a difference - they must create one dish without any meat, fish or poultry.
From a selection of fruit, vegetables, eggs, cheeses, grains, nuts, herbs and spices, they must deliver a dish showcasing all their culinary talents.
MasterChef: The Professionals finals start tonight at 8pm on BBC Two.
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