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."

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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