Who is chef Dominique Ogunlowo on MasterChef: The Professionals 2026?

MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 continues on BBC One next week, and private chef Dominique Ogunlowo is one of the six chefs fighting for a place in the next round in the third heat.

The 29-year-old, who was born in the USA, raised in Nigeria and London and now lives in Kent, faces Abigail Smith, Andrea Ruszel, Connor Wilson, Isabel Almeida Da Silva and Jim Foster-Grundy in the third 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

Private chef and blogger

Chef background

Dominique started out self-taught as a food blogger, then worked in fine dining restaurants as a commis chef before working her way up to head chef.

She names Grafene in Manchester as the most memorable place she has worked.

She said: "We used liquid nitrogen and I thought the Pacojet machine was a scary-cool appliance."

She now works as a product developer, recipe developer and private chef.

On her career highlights so far, she said: "Being able to work with clients who really value my work and trust me to feed them for special occasions."

Who or what inspired you to become a chef?

"Honestly, it sounds silly, but I didn't realise you could create a career out of cooking. Growing up, I watched cooking shows and read food magazines thinking it was a world far away from mine, then I started food blogging through the encouragement of friends. I took part in Culinary Genius USA (a cooking show) as an amateur and won.

"I moved to Spain for my studies and realised I loved gastronomy and wanted to learn more, so I wrote to the first restaurant I'd experienced a fine dining meal in and asked for a job. Before I knew it I was working professionally in kitchens, and it has been all up from there!"

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

"It's hard for me to define my style of cooking because I'm inspired by all that's around me. I'm proud to be Nigerian so I always have a touch of my heritage in my cooking somewhere.

"I also love tapas culture and tasting menus because I like to have options; I'd say I elevate comfort in whichever cuisine or culture I'm hyperfixed on at the moment."

Three ingredients you can't live without?

"Salt, tea, and olive oil."

What do you eat when you get back from service?

"I don't have an appetite due to the adrenaline, but I drink a cup of tea (usually a tisane decaffeinated tea) to wind down."

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

"I was actually terrified of being seen to make mistakes and all the other things that come with it but, ultimately, the encouragement from my friends made me apply. Once I got in it became about challenging myself and growing. I'm so glad I did!"

Outside of cooking, what are your passions?

"I am obsessed with tea. The range in the world is so fascinating, and I find myself exploring the organoleptic properties of tea daily.

"Outside of tea I love to travel, watch anime, paint, and read."

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