A new series of MasterChef kicks off tonight (April 10), with two budding cooks from the North East appearing on the first show.
The BBC show, judged by John Torode and Gregg Wallace, will see a new group of chefs put through their paces in the kitchen with a series of challenges.
It will begin with five heats, all featuring nine contestants, cooking for the judges each week.
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And two chefs from the North East will feature in the first heat tonight.
Nickolas, a 31-year-old delivery driver who lives in Darlington with his partner and five-year-old daughter, says the loss of his best friend in an accident pushed him to enter the show.
“My best friend passed away suddenly in an accident two years ago, I became very close to his brother Darren who is a massive MasterChef fan,” Nickolas, who was born in Venezuela and grew up in London, said.
“He’d always known about my passion for cooking and thought I had the skills from seeing all the pictures I post of my food on social media so he sent me the link to apply. The rest as they say ‘is history’.
“I love championing Latin flavours from all over South America. Sharing the dishes from my heritage with others especially my daughter is special.
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“My ultimate food dream would be to have my own restaurant and run it with my partner and daughter. I would love to showcase Venezuelan cuisine and Latin cuisine in a fine dining setting.”
Hebburn-based Jonny, 31, will also be competing in the first heat with dreams of one day opening a food truck.
The tech product trainer who was born in County Durham said: “My food is very much street food style, full of big flavours and deliciousness, the kind of stuff that makes you want to go back and have two more because it’s so good.
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“I’m a lifelong fan of the show and it’s always been a life goal to go on and cook in that kitchen.
“My dream is to open a food truck, with a bit of a social heart. I’d cook the tastiest food you’ve ever had in your hands, but also, you’d be able to pay for someone who maybe can’t afford a treat to eat too. I’d also look to work with the homeless charities and other small businesses in areas that need a bit more support.”
The nineteenth series to air on BBC One begins with at 8pm on Monday (April 10) and continues on Tuesday (April 11) at 9pm and Friday (April 14) at 8.30pm.
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