The winner of MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 will be taking up residencies at two Exclusive Collection hotels next year.
Tom Hamblet was recently announced the winner of the BBC cooking show, which is now in its 16th series.
The 24-year-old is currently the sous chef at Camellia restaurant at South Lodge hotel in Sussex, part of the Exclusive Collection, where he's been cooking since 2021. In fact, both his parents are currently employed at South Lodge, where his dad Lewis occupies the role of executive chef, and his mother works as a pastry chef.
Staying loyal to the group, it’s been announced that Tom will take on two residencies at the hotel group next year. For those looking to treat themselves in the new year, his first residency will take place at his current place of work, Camellia restaurant, from 1 January to 31 March.
The second residency will be at Avenue restaurant at Lainston House in Winchester, from 3 April to 30 June.
Diners will be able to experience a three-course menu created by Tom, available for £85 per person. Starters include wood pigeon with crispy onions, celeriac rémoulade, celeriac purée, pigeon and chocolate sauce, mains feature poached turbot topped with a fish mousse, potatoes, caviar, baby leeks and cornichon beurre blanc, while dessert includes a chocolate and peanut mousse with feuilletine base, mascarpone Chantilly, nibbed peanut tuille, torched bananas and miso caramel.
The menu for his residency at Avenue restaurant is yet to be released.
Exclusive Collection managing director Danny Pecorelli has also shared some kind words about the chef: ‘We have watched Tom grow up and develop into an amazing and talented chef in our kitchens.
‘He continues our successes in cooking competitions being South Lodge's second winner of Masterchef: The Professionals.’
The Exclusive Collection currently boasts seven luxury hotels across the country, three of which are home to Michelin-starred restaurants.
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