Who is chef Mark O'Brien on MasterChef: The Professionals 2026?
With MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 now in full swing on BBC One, we find out more about Mark O'Brien, one of the chefs taking part in this year’s competition.
Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Mark now lives in Margate, Kent, with his wife Gill and their cat Juniper.
Age at start of filming
34
Job role
Pop-up chef
Chef background
“I’m mostly self-taught, though I did take a short professional culinary course in Dublin in 2012 which gave me the perfect grounding to land my first chef position, which was at Coppinger Row in Dublin.
"The Dairy in Clapham had the biggest impact on me as a chef. During filming, I was running my own American BBQ pop-up, Snake Oil Barbecue in Margate, and I now work at Willys in Margate.”
Who and what inspired you to become a chef?
“I always loved food growing up - eating out, trying new things, and helping cook at home. My uncle, who worked as a chef and loved to cook, was a huge inspiration.
“He bought me Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain when I was probably too young to be reading it, but it changed everything.”
How would you describe your style of cooking and any influences on it?
“My passion is taking the best quality meat I can find, butchering it well, and cooking it right over an open fire - big flavours, real technique.”
Three ingredients you can’t live without
“Beef fat, sweetcorn, spring onions.”
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What you eat when you get back from service
“An ice-cold bowl of cereal.”
Why did you want to take part in MasterChef: The Professionals?
“I was looking for a new challenge and a way to push my food – and myself - as much as I can.”
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