Masterchef 2012 champion Keri Moss today became head chef at a Selfridges restaurant just three months after winning the BBC show.
Moss, 41, who now lives in Nunhead, worked for a contract caterer before featuring on the programme.
She has taken charge of the new Corner Restaurant and Champagne Bar on the second floor of the department store.
It will specialise in using seasonal ingredients as well as showcasing the winning dishes that earned her joint first place with Anton Piotrowski in the latest series of MasterChef: The Professionals.
Moss said the show had transformed her life. “Even now I still get recognised. It’s done a lot for my confidence.”
She also revealed how MasterChef judge Michel Roux Jr, who has two Michelin stars, has become her mentor. “If I’m not sure about anything I’ll give him a call. He’s so lovely.”
Moss, who is also a chef for catering company Smart Hospitality, said: “I always had it in my mind that I wanted to open a restaurant. Michel said it’s a great project to start with and hopefully in a year’s time I’ll be able to branch out on my own, he’s 100 per cent behind it.”
She added: The menu, which will change monthly to adapt to the seasons, includes some of her signature dishes inspired by the programme, including mackerel tartare with crisp poached quails eggs, apple and pancetta wafers, as well as goats’ cheese parfait served with blackberry purée, pear salad and candied quinoa.
She said there is no rivalry between herself and fellow winner Piotrowski because their styles are so different. “I don’t feel competitive at all. I saw him recently, we’ve absolutely got the best friendship.”
Moss named Angela Hartnett, chef-patron at Murano in Mayfair, as one of her inspirations. She said: “Women are very discreet at what we do, we’re very good at what we do. We don’t seek the glory, we just do it.”
Brian Hannon, Selfridges food and restaurants director, said: “We are really excited to be partnering with Keri Moss on her first restaurant opening since becoming the joint winner of MasterChef 2012. We expect it will be a huge success and we look forward to working with her closely.”
