Wilmslow cook to star in new BBC series

An amateur cook from Wilmslow will be starring in a brand new BBC One daytime series hosted by Sheree Murphy.

Eugene Rangayah, 43, of Queens Road, was selected from a large number of cooks to participate in Yes Chef which was recorded on location at the Cheshire Cookery School in Altrincham and is being aired from this week.

The father of two started cooking in his teens, taking advice and observing his mum. Speaking about why he decided to apply for the show, Eugene told me "I applied for the pure fun of it and to do something different and challenging. I have always fantasised about going into a cooking show, but never did anything about it!"

Yes Chef will see 16 chefs - all with Michelin stars to their name - mentor amateur home cooks to do battle in the kitchen.

For the amateurs, it's a chance to work alongside the best in the business. For the professionals, it's an opportunity to train their partner and lead them to victory in an industry where ego is king.

Eugene, who works as an IT Consultant for a bank, competes against three other cooks to be selected as the winner by Aiden Byrne, who owns and runs The Church Green in Lymme and was the youngest chef to win a Michelin star at the age of 22.

The other chefs in the series are: Atul Kochhar, Bryn Williams, Frances Atkins, Galton Blackiston, Luke Tipping, Mary Ann Gilchrist, Matt Gillan, Michael O'Hare, Nathan Outlaw, Nigel Haworth, Paul Ainsworth, Rupert Rowley, Ryan Simpson, Stephen Terry and Theo Randall.

Speaking about the experience Eugene said "I used it as a free masterclass, especially since we were going to be exposed to Michelin starred chefs. There is no better way of having people judge your food and cooking without any agenda behind it.

"It is pre-recorded but we were faced up against the clock in our challenges. I have a whole new level of respect for anyone who cooks under pressure of the clock!! It is a different experience!! No more couch commentary from me... ever again!!"

Monday to Thursday sees a different chef put four home cooks through their paces in a series of challenges, with each day's winner going forward to Friday's final.

In the final, the four professional chefs will pair up with their winning home cook to go head-to-head in the ultimate professional-amateur cooking showdown. And to pile on the pressure, culinary royalty - in the form of three-star Michelin chef Pierre Koffmann - will judge their final dishes. Only one duo will reign supreme each week and claim the title as champions of Yes Chef.

Sheree Murphy says: "I'm a huge foodie and a big fan of cooking shows, so to be hosting the series in the presence of these world class chefs every day is an amazing experience."

Pierre Koffmann says: "The professional chefs are at the forefront of gastronomy in the UK. This is a chance for home cooks to learn from the best in the business."

Yes Chef starts today (Monday 5th September) and will be shown at 3.45pm on BBC One. The episode featuring Wilmslow's Eugene Rangayahof will be shown the following week, on Tuesday, 13th September.