A Bristol chef who was a finalist in the 2023 series of MasterChef The Professionals, has made it through to the semi-finals of a prestigious competition to find Britain’s best young chef.
Tommy Thorn, who was born and grew up in Bristol and now works as head chef at a restaurant called Puro in Clevedon, will compete in the semi-finals of the Roux Scholarship in Birmingham on Thursday, March 6. The Roux Scholarship is described as being ‘the most prized cookery competition for young chefs (aged between 22 and 30 years old)’.
In it’s 41st year, it is also widely regarded as ‘the holy grail’ by many in the industry, with a number of former winners now running their own restaurants and earning Michelin stars. The competition is being judged by Michel Roux Jnr, as well as Angela Hartnett OBE (Great British Menu), Brian Turner CBE (Ready, Steady, Cook) and James Martin (James Martin’s Sunday Morning), among others.
To enter, Tommy tells BristolLive that he had to create a dish using selected ingredients, send off all recipes, methods, costings and pictures within a time deadline, and is now focusing on planning his time for the competition. He said: “I’ve always loved the idea of being part of such a prestigious competition.
“I love to challenge myself and what better opportunity is there than to apply for this. It will be an absolute honour to cook for some of the UK’s most famous chefs, especially as I have looked up to these chefs for so many years.
“It will also be incredible to get feedback from such an amazing talent within the industry. If I were to win, I’d be over the moon.
“I love the idea of spending time to better my weaker areas and be able to focus on things I’ve not been able to do before. I can then transfer these skills into the restaurant, which in turn will better the team.”
Tommy took on his role at Clevedon restaurant Puro back in 2024 at the age of 28, and was among the final three of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2023, while he was working at the renowned Ethicurean.
Despite having initially closed in May 2023, Puro Restaurant announced almost a year later that it would be relaunching, after Tommy was appointed head chef and co-owner. Tommy, who moved from Bristol to Worle, started his culinary career when he was 16 years old and his work has seen him travel and take on various different types of cooking – something he says helps him stand out from the crowd.