A talented chef from Kidderminster has just missed out on a semi-final place on a popular culinary TV show.
After securing his place in knockout week, Anthony Ghiglieri impressed in the first challenge with his quail dish on MasterChef: The Professionals on Tuesday night (March 10).
The 27-year-old was one of eight chefs who automatically went through to the next stage with the judges hailing his food as "delicious".
Judge Marcus Wearing said: "I think this is great. I think your presentation is sharp, I think you've balanced flavours beautifully. Well done."
Anthony, who works as a Sous Chef at Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, joined four other contestants to create his own pop-up street food dish in the next episode, where he made a playful twist on a tiramisu in a choux bun.
The judges loved his "beautifully cooked" pastry and the dining guests said he had "really tapped into what street food is all about".
For his final cook, Anthony made a dish inspired by his nan's trifles with the judges enjoying the flavours of the dessert, but felt it was missing a "wow" factor.
Monica Galetti said: "I think it's good, but you could've taken this to wow."
After just missing out on a semi-final place, Anthony said: "This is a tough one to take, but I've really enjoyed the whole experience. It's been incredibly positive. This is something I can be proud of."
Anthony didn't train formally as a chef and learnt from being hands-on in kitchens and learning on the job.
His first kitchen job was at The Talbot in Belbroughton before moving to Hambleton Hall in the East Midlands.
He was inspired to become a chef by his trips to Italy when he was younger, which "completely changed" his understanding of food.
Anthony is also the son/step-son of Trudy and Justin Hopley from Hopley's Family Camping in Bewdley, who said they "couldn't be prouder" of his appearance on the show.
Leo Hopley, managing director at The Rustic Kitchen where Anthony helped during the pandemic, said: "Seeing him go on to become Sous Chef at the Michelin-starred Upstairs by Tom Shepherd in Lichfield and now appear on MasterChef: The Professionals is an incredible achievement, and we’re all hugely proud of him."
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