Who is chef Matty Grove on MasterChef: The Professionals 2026?
MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 returns to BBC One on Tuesday, November 3, and head chef Matty Grove is one of the six chefs fighting for a place in the next round in the opening heat.
The 34-year-old, who lives in Bristol, faces Dan Nunn, Jack Sencherey-Evans, Jemma Harrison, Kieran Jones and Ruchi Mehrotra in the first group of this year's MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 series, which features 24 chefs competing in groups of six.
Matty spoke to The Staff Canteen in May about his unconventional route into hospitality, from a Chinese takeaway job at 15 and a career in hairdressing to a seven-year spell at Menu Gordon Jones in Bath.
He told The Staff Canteen at the time: "For me, there's no romantic story about it at all. I just ended up there."
Age at start of filming
34
Job role
Head chef
Chef background
Matty is head chef at Caper & Cure in Bristol.
"I've worked in kitchens for a long time, but the bulk of my education came from chef Gordon at Menu Gordon Jones. That's when things got real!"
Asked where he started out, he said: "A Chinese takeaway in Minehead called Precious Cuisine!"
Who or what inspired you to become a chef?
"I fell into kitchens in an unconventional way, but found lots of inspiration along the way. Mostly from my head chef Gordon, at Menu Gordon Jones but also, Andrew Wong of A. Wong, Rob Howell of Root, Jamie Tack of the Leytonstone Tavern, Jack Scarterfield of The Scallop Shell and Leon Dunnett at Nowhere Tavern, Bath, are all role models to me in different ways.
"Earlier food memories with my nan and family also helped sculpt an early love for food."
How would you describe your style of cooking and influences on it?
"I was taught to cook with big, strong flavours, and to let the garnish play the biggest role on the plate. Loads of salt and garlic. Nice, comforting-sized portions. Simple, accessible food that I'd be happy to eat at home (maybe just a little more finessed at the restaurant!)"
Three ingredients you can't live without?
"Garlic, salt and butter."
What do you eat when you get back from service?
"It really ranges. I love getting home and eating something junky. Odd bits of bread, fridge use-up cheese toasties, pickles etc. Can't beat that in my eyes."
Why did you want to take part in MasterChef: The Professionals?
"I've always wanted to be on television and I've always loved watching MasterChef.
"I was always so curious about how easy it is to sit and watch it, stating how you'd have done it differently, or how easy something would have been, when really it's likely so much harder and more complex than home-viewers think when they're sat on the sofa. Next thing I know my girlfriend, Mia, and I were sat one night with a glass of wine and a huge application form! It came with a lot of support from her, and felt like it was the right time in my career to give it a go."
Outside of cooking, what are your passions?
"I love spending time at home, cooking, and eating out as much as I can (going to wine bars and pubs). I also love spending time with my better half, my hamster, Fig, and my pals. It's very uncomplicated, but it's perfect for my brain outside of a very consuming job."
>>> Read more: MasterChef: The Professionals series 19: start date, judges and the full chef lineup
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Who is chef Matty Grove on MasterChef: The Professionals 2026?
