Leicester College was delighted to welcome Masterchef: The Professionals contestant and former Leicester College student, Tom Lowe to run a special workshop for our catering students.

Tom appeared on Masterchef: The Professionals in 2019 where he reached the final ten. At just 22, Tom is now head chef at The Plough in Sevenoaks, Kent.

The catering students were treated to a workshop during which Tom guided them from preparation to service for an evening at Taste Restaurant. Tom taught the students to prepare and serve a tasting menu that included his signature cod dish which went down very well with the judges on Masterchef: The Professionals.

Tom said: “I think it’s good to be able to give back to students in college. It’s where I started and I’m happy to come and teach them something a bit different. It’s good for them to learn new things and get some practice in.”

Tom was asked what advice he would have for students wanting to become professional chefs. He said: “Getting a job in a Michelin starred restaurant isn’t the be all and end all. It’s more important to be happy where you are, because if you fall out of love with cooking, you won’t produce good food. You have to be love doing it.”

He also commented on the facilities available for students at the college: “I think students here may not appreciate how good they’ve got it! They will work in some professional kitchens which don’t have the facilities and equipment that you have here.”

Daniel Murphy, Trainer Assessor Internal – Hospitality and Catering at Leicester College said: “We were thrilled to welcome Tom Lowe to the Taste Kitchen. Tom’s experience in the catering industry is great, having worked in some of the country’s top restaurants. The students were really inspired working with him and it was good for us as teachers to have a great chef reinforce what we are teaching the students. Tom has also offered some of our students employment and work experience opportunities.”