BBC Three’s highly anticipated show, Young MasterChef, makes a swift return to screens with its second season. The best nine young chefs in Britain take a break from their daily routines to showcase their culinary skills. This season’s judging panel welcomes Michelin-trained social media sensation Poppy O’Toole and the new judge, chef, author, and YouTube culinary star, Big Has, a Turkish Cypriot.
Amidst the warm atmosphere witnessing Britain’s culinary revolution, the aspiring young food enthusiasts continue their journey with street flavors, pop-ups, and followers on social media. Big Has, who grew up in Edmonton, North London, experienced a mix of different cultures in his childhood. Reflecting on these experiences while preparing meals with his family, traditional British dishes, such as Sunday roasts, transformed into barbecue roasts inspired by his Cypriot family’s marinades and grilling.
“I grew up around food,” says Big Has, emphasizing, “As a half-English and half-Cypriot, food is a celebration for me and my family.”
While Big Has’s kitchen career was rooted in childhood memories, it wasn’t a definite path. “I was a security guard at the Hayward Gallery on the Southbank. I used to tell people, ‘Don’t touch this artwork’ or ‘Please don’t take photos,'” says Big Has. “It was all very dull and monotonous. I just felt I needed to do more.”
At the age of 21, he applied for a program led by the renowned chef Jamie Oliver, aiming to swiftly introduce young people to the food industry. Big Has passed the interview and, after completing the program in 2011, spent ten years cooking in luxury kitchens in London. However, when the restaurants temporarily—and in many cases, permanently—closed due to the pandemic, Big Has launched a YouTube channel called “Sunday Sessions,” offering viewers recipes from around the world. The channel currently has almost 43,000 subscribers.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Big Has reflected on his new role as a judge on Young MasterChef.
When asked if he’s the strict or easy-going judge, Big Has humorously responded, “I was aiming to be the fun uncle! I didn’t want to tear anyone apart or be the reason why one of the contestants stopped cooking. At the end of the day, it’s a competition, and someone has got to take home the trophy.”
Connecting with the contestants, Big Has noted, “A lot of the contestants are actually younger than I was when I started cooking. So it’s good to see the new generation of cooks understand and appreciate ingredients, tell their stories through food, and share cherished family moments with us on TV. I actually learnt a lot of new things from the contestants.”
Expressing the importance of shows like Young MasterChef, he hoped they would encourage the younger generation to try cooking. He emphasized that the industry is tough and wished he had discovered cooking earlier in life for more travel and kitchen experience. Regarding culinary education in secondary schools, he suggested revisiting the “food technology” curriculum to equip kids with real-life skills.
The first episode of Young MasterChef’s second season aired on January 8 on BBC iPlayer at 6:00 AM and on BBC Three at 8:00 PM, with subsequent episodes airing weekly.
