Who is chef Molly Payne MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 quarter-finalist?

Ahead of MasterChef: The Professionals 2023, which airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Monday 23 October, we find out more about the chefs taking part.

Introducing Molly Payne, Chef Owner of byMolly, Leeds.

Leeds based Private Chef Molly has been working in kitchens since she was 12. Now 27, Molly owns her own private hire business with her partner Charlotte.

Name

Molly Payne

AGE

27

Where are you from/where do you live

Leeds

CURRENT AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Molly started her journey to becoming a chef at a local French Bistro, she then worked at Kendell’s Bistro in Leeds and The Vincent and Wine & Wallop. She now owns a private chef company called byMölly.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO COOKING AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?

“As a child my mum was always working so I wanted to cook a nice meal for her to come home to. I didn’t want her having microwave meals so taught myself how to cook proper food. I just loved it from the off. It was the only thing that felt natural to me and I was good at it. I knew that was my path.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF COOKING AND ANY INFLUENCES ON IT?

“I spent so many years in a French Bistro learning classic French food and this is still a huge part of my cooking. My style is hugely varied when it comes to my food business but as a whole it’s fine dining with a Molly twist. I want it to be accessible though – not overly intricate - just really good food, great flavours and appealing presentation.”

WHY DID YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS?

“I’ve cooked for as long as I can remember and I just love what I do. I want to see what I’m capable of and I want to inspire other young chefs - especially young females. You don’t have to come to from the best backgrounds to make something good out of yourself.”

OUTSIDE OF COOKING WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS?

“I am a massive football fan and I support Leeds United. I met my partner Charlotte playing football too.”