A Nottingham teenager is set to appear on new BBC series Young MasterChef. Myles Ahuja, 19, from West Bridgford, is up against 14 other contestants in the culinary competition.
The young chefs, all aged between 18 and 25, will be challenged out of their comfort zones and have their creativity tested to see who has what it takes to make it all the way to the end of the competition.
Myles, who has been working as a part-time carer at Lark Hill retirement village in Clifton during a gap year, confessed he's not a "massive avid chef", but said: "This opportunity allowed me to develop my cooking skills and encourage me to fall in love with food even more.
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"My inspiration was definitely my grandma on my Indian side of family as she would always be cooking. I remember her homemade curry made using our family spices and naan so vividly as a child. My nana is definitely my cooking idol."
The 19-year-old, who will be gong to the University of Nottingham to study Veterinary Medicine in March, said his favourite dish to cook is seafood.
"I’m so excited to be taking part on the Young MasterChef as this is an amazing opportunity and I’m so grateful to my family for giving me amazing opportunities that allow things like this to happen. Some of these cooks are SO good, so just to be here and competing is amazing."
The new series is fronted by judges, Michelin-trained internet sensation Poppy O'Toole, and Kerth Gumbs, who was a finalist on Great British Menu 2020. Episodes will feature well-known and world-renowned foodie guests throughout the series.
Myles' earliest food memory is sitting around with his family, talking about what they were eating. He recalled: "I remember eating out in restaurants from a young age and I still love to eat out now.
"I love going out to eat food with my friends and then I’ll try and recreate it at home, food is about fun for me, it’s about the sociable side of things just bringing good vibes."
Asked by the BBC what he brings to the competition that's unique, he joked: "The Myles energy baby! Honestly, there is only one me, and I can’t wait to bring this to the Young MasterChef kitchen. You haven’t seen anything like it!
"On a more serious note though, I honestly work incredibly hard, I had undiagnosed dyslexia for most of my school life but I didn’t let that stop me, I had to work harder than anyone else, which I did. So although I’m the social butterfly on the outside, I’m also relentless when it comes to doing what I need to get done."
His family will be gathering to watch him on the telly, where one of the first tasks for contestants is to impress with a dish showing their personality on a plate. "They will be laughing the whole time," said Myles.
Junior MasterChef starts on January 2, with Myles in the second episode on January 3. Watch it on BBC Three at 8pm and BBC iPlayer.
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