Who is chef Ben Black on MasterChef: The Professionals 2026?
MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 continues on BBC One next week, and chef de partie Ben Black is one of the six chefs fighting for a place in the next round in the second heat.
The 28-year-old, who grew up on the Isle of Iona and now lives in Dumfries and Galloway after previously being based in Edinburgh, faces Clara Lim, Filomena "Philly" D'Uva, Gregory Schaad-Jackson, Ibraheem "Ibz" Umar and Morteza Nouri in the second group of this year's MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 series, which features 24 chefs competing in groups of six.
Age at start of filming
28
Job role
Chef de partie
Chef background
Ben completed a professional cookery apprenticeship in Bath, but hospitality was in his blood long before that.
Asked about his first job, he said: "My family have owned and worked in hotels since I was very little and so I grew up in hospitality taking summer jobs from the age of 14."
He was working at Michelin-starred Condita in Edinburgh during filming and now works at Knockinaam Lodge Hotel, near Portpatrick, which he described as a luxury five-star restaurant with rooms, following the path of head chef Tyler King.
On his career highlights so far, he said: "Becoming head chef of my family's hotel, the Argyll Hotel, on Iona."
Who or what inspired you to become a chef?
For Ben, it was family: "My mum and granny, who are my inspirations."
How would you describe your style of cooking and influences on it?
"My cooking is always evolving but I would say I like to tell a story through food, be it memory, place, ingredient or season."
Three ingredients you can't live without?
"Lemons, eggs and jasmine tea."
What do you eat when you get back from service?
"I rarely eat after service but if I did, it would be the dirtiest burger I could find."
Why did you want to take part in MasterChef: The Professionals?
"I love to challenge myself and I wanted to see how I could grow professionally and personally."
Outside of cooking, what are your passions?
"I love to draw and enjoy learning new creative practices. Travel, nature and being active is a huge part of my life too."
>>> Read more: MasterChef: The Professionals series 19: start date, judges and the full chef lineup
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Who is chef Ben Black on MasterChef: The Professionals 2026?
