Top Manchester restaurant, James Martin Manchester, which is located in Manchester235 Casino, will soon have more than one famous chef in its kitchen.
Chef de Partie, Exose Lopo-Ndinga will appear on national TV this evening (26th November) as a contestant on MasterChef: The Professionals.
From a young age, Exose was intrigued and inspired by the dishes his mum, Marie-Claire prepared at home in Charlton, Manchester. Exose says: “I’ve always felt most at home in the kitchen. It’s where I come alive. It’s no surprise to my family that I ended up becoming a chef. Though they’ve been quite taken aback to see me appearing on the telly!”
Exose attended Manchester Academy High School where he studied Food Technology, Hospitality and Catering. It was there that his passion for cooking began to take shape.
He was particularly inspired by his Food Technology teacher who recognised Exose’s talent, often gathering all the students around Exose’s workbench so that they could sample his creations. After finishing school Exose went on to South Trafford College for a further two years to study Professional Chef Skills.
Exose joined the close-knit team at James Martin Manchester four years ago and has since worked his way up to Chef de Partie and Head of Pastry. Earlier this year he won Chef of the Year 2019 at the Caesars Entertainment Chef & Bartender Awards.
James Martin says: “It comes as no surprise that Exose is making a name for himself. He is an extremely talented and creative chef who is hard working and always ready to learn. We’re all very proud of him here at James Martin Manchester and look forward to following his MasterChef journey!”
James Martin Manchester Head Chef, Doug Crampton who has worked alongside James Martin since the restaurant’s launch in 2013, has worked closely with Exose since he joined James Martin Manchester. He says:
Manchester235’s Venue Director, Maxine Gibbons says “We’re absolutely thrilled that Exose has had the opportunity to follow his dreams and showcase his talent on national TV. His passion and commitment to deliver the highest quality dishes always shines through – it’s well-deserved!”
Exose will appear on MasterChef: The Professionals at 8pm on BBC Two from Tuesday 26th November.
