A Ribble Valley chef has made it to the final of MasterChef: The Professionals, showcasing his culinary skills and passion for food.
His cooking journey began during a school work experience at a friend’s dad’s restaurant. The fast-paced kitchen life hooked him right away. He learned various cuisines, including Italian and French, and worked in Michelin-starred restaurants to sharpen his skills.
Matt’s first job was at The Moat House in Staffordshire. The executive chef saw his potential and helped him grow. He doesn’t have a single signature dish, but his KFC-style Hen of the Woods mushrooms are a hit at Oh! Pizza.
One kitchen disaster involved a tub of honey falling on his head while working in Australia. He learned that the hospitality industry is tough, especially post-COVID.
Now, he enjoys making pizza and wants to make people happy through food. He loves Indian cuisine and eats a lot of pizza. Balancing work and life is tricky, but moving to pizza has helped.
Oh! Pizza is located at 4 Berry Lane, Longridge, Preston, Lancashire PR3 3JA. They offer wood-fired pizzas and a variety of starters and desserts. The restaurant opened in September 2024, founded by Matt and his fellow MasterChef finalist, Oli Martin.
For more information about Lancashire’s food scene, visit www.visitlancashire.com/Taste.
Here’s a recipe for Matt’s KFC-style Hen of the Woods mushrooms:
**Ingredients:**
– 1 Hen of the Woods mushroom, cut into 5 pieces
– 2 liters vegetable oil (for frying)
– 200g plain flour
– Seasonings: celery salt, oregano, thyme, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black and white pepper, cayenne pepper, salt
– For the sauce: mayonnaise and black garlic ketchup
**Method:**
1. Heat oil to 180°C (350°F).
2. Mix flour and seasonings in a bowl.
3. Dip mushroom pieces in water, then coat in the flour mixture.
4. Fry until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.
5. Mix mayonnaise and black garlic ketchup for the sauce.
6. Serve mushrooms with the sauce.
Enjoy your delicious KFC-style Hen of the Woods mushrooms!
