Charlie Jeffreys MasterChef runner-up plans for Dorset restaurant

Charlie Jeffreys, 24, from Broadmayne, became a familiar face on our TV screens as he competed on the BBC series, cooking up a storm in the MasterChef kitchen and impressing judges week after week.

The senior chef de partie, who works at the prestigious Dorchester hotel in London, started out as a pot washer at the Yalbury Cottage in Lower Bockhampton.

Charlie's end goal, he said, is to open a restaurant in Dorset, own a farm, be successful and surrounded by his family, which he put simply as: “Restaurant, farm, successful, family.”

He added that the restaurant would be: “Not too far away from the sea – I showed that quite a lot in MasterChef, my love of fishing and love of the sea so that would be brilliant.”

The final episode, Charlie explained, was filmed around July and ever since, all he’s done is work. He described the overall experience as ‘pretty surreal,’ noting that ‘Instagram has gone crazy.’

The chef was a runner-up to Derby-born Nikita Pathakji who's winning menu wowed the judges and earned her top-spot.

He has received many supportive messages ever since the series began airing, with his biggest support being his family.

Charlie said: “They’re massively proud, it’s been lovely for family and friends, school friends that I haven’t spoken to for a while and even a school teacher messaged me last night which was nice.”

On the show, he spoke about how his mum was one of his biggest inspirations: “My mum was and still is a massive home cook.

“Growing up, everything we ate was homemade. We weren’t the richest family , so mum made do with what we had- I remember mum taking the left over pastry from a quiche she would make for dinner and make jam tarts for dessert.

“She showed me how to take simple ingredients and create something exciting that could last a couple of days - now, I look back and that is where I got my first love for cooking. It’s been my passion from childhood and I believe I was born to love it.”

Other big influences in his life the chef explained are: “My girlfriend and all my family and friends, they’ve all been really supportive and both my mentor chefs, Jamie Jones and John Phillips have both been amazing.”

He added: “It’s a real nice network and everyone’s so close and roots for each other.”

The 3 finalists alongside the judges (Image: Shine TV/BBC)

Speaking about some of his highlights of the competition Charlie said: “The first critic round was my best round, to get some great comments from Jay Rayner was amazing. I did some of my dishes proud and I practised those ones a lot and to pull it off in the MasterChef kitchen, I’m pretty proud of myself.”

And on the subject on whether he would change anything looking back at the competition he said: “I don’t think so,” jokingly adding, “Win it maybe.”

The MasterChef kitchen is an intense place on screen and speaking about the real-life experience, Charlie explained: “Chef hours are long and stressful and pressurised so to add on top a competition – it wasn’t easy.

“It was lucky because our restaurant was only opening for dinner because of the renovations at the Dorchester, so I had plenty of time to go in and practise my dishes before the rest of the kitchen arrived, and on my days off as well.

“I think I didn’t sleep for about three months.”

Charlie initially applied for the show around fouryears ago but turned down the opportunity when he was accepted as he felt he wasn’t ready, but this time round he described the experience as: “One of the best opportunities I’ve ever had.” Adding “I’m so glad that I did it.”

The final 3. Centre: winner Nikita, left: runner-up Charlie, right: runner-up Sagar (Image: Shine TV/BBC)

Speaking about his career so far, Charlie said: “Even though I was never the most academic person, I always loved school. I worked at Yalbury Cottage Hotel, starting as a pot washer and progressing to an apprenticeship.

“Jamie Jones, the chef owner, taught me not just how to cook, but also gave me life skills and a core understanding of how to act in the kitchen - I could never repay Jamie and the Yalbury family for what they taught me.

“Working at Yalbury really made it happen, that’s what ignited it [his love for cooking].

“At 18 I then moved to London - To get to five years in a three Michelin Star restaurant is one of my biggest achievements.”

Applying for MasterChef: the Professionals for Charlie was something he wanted to do to take him out of his comfort zone.

He said: “I applied for the show because I wanted a new challenge, but most of all, I wanted to define my style and be creative with my own ideas.

“I would describe myself as a modern British chef with a strong French influence. Both of my chefs in my career have influenced and guided me hugely, as well as my family who have supported me and given me inspiration to succeed .

“I’m passionate about taking ingredients in their raw states straight from the ground, sea or forest, being creative with them and making something tasty and beautiful to enjoy - There’s nothing better.

“I would say I’m an all -round chef , but I love sea fishing, prepping fish, cooking fish , so if I had to choose one place to be in the kitchen , it would be the fish section.”