Who is chef Dan Nunn on MasterChef: The Professionals 2026?

MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 returns to BBC One on Tuesday, November 3, and senior sous chef Dan Nunn is one of the six chefs fighting for a place in the next round in the opening heat.

The 29-year-old, who lives in Buckinghamshire with his girlfriend, faces Ruchi Mehrotra, Kieran Jones, Jemma Harrison, Jack Sencherey-Evans and Matty Grove in the first group of this year's MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 series, which features 24 chefs competing in groups of six.

Age at start of filming

29

Job role

Senior sous chef

Chef background

Dan studied at a catering college in Manchester and is now senior sous chef at The Sir Charles Napier, the three-AA-rosette restaurant in Chinnor, Oxfordshire.

"My first fine dining job was at ABode by Michael Caines. My education as a chef I don't feel truly started until I entered The Hand and Flowers, Tom Kerridge's two-Michelin-starred gastropub. I was there for eight years working my way up to junior sous chef.

"This restaurant really opened my eyes to the food I want to be cooking and to get a better understanding of restaurant service and the highest standards."

Who or what inspired you to become a chef?

"My dad was a chef when I was growing up so he was my biggest inspiration. My gran was also a massive inspiration to me. I stayed at her house every weekend when I was younger baking, cooking, and decorating cakes under her watchful eye."

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How would you describe your style of cooking and influences on it?

"My style of cooking is mostly seasonal as well as classically French and British. When I was younger, Italian cooking was important too, as my dad worked in an Italian restaurant."

Three ingredients you can't live without?

"Butter, salt, flour."

What do you eat when you get back from service?

"Normally, when I finish work, I'm lucky enough to have an amazing, cooked meal by my girlfriend at home. My favourite dish is beef goulash with hash browns and pickles."

Why did you want to take part in MasterChef: The Professionals?

"I wanted to take part in MasterChef: The Professionals this year to show what I can do in the biggest and most acclaimed cooking competition in the world. For me, you don't truly know what you are capable of until put under pressure."

Outside of cooking, what are your passions?

"Travelling the world as much as I can and experiencing different cultures and cuisines. I have been fortunate enough to travel to a lot of places around Europe. I've recently returned from Thailand, and am due to visit Australia later this year!

"My other passions include country walks, music, concerts, festivals and supporting Manchester United (unfortunately!)"

>>> Read more: MasterChef: The Professionals series 19: start date, judges and the full chef lineup