Dunfermline dad-of-two set to appear on tonight’s MasterChef

Zane Chetty will take to the MasterChef kitchen to cook up a storm in the hopes of impressing judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode with his Asian-fusion cooking style.

The dad-of-two, whose work covers electrical engineering for all of the Ministry of Defence bases in Scotland and Northern Ireland says that cooking is his respite, and is something he often does for charity.

“I've always loved cooking for people,” Zane said, “I’ve invented my own dishes over time and all my recipes are my own. My style is very different, I put things together people wouldn't normally.”

Born in South Africa, he attributed some of his inspirations for his cooking to his travels, and childhood.

“I grew up in South Africa, my grandmother was South Asian and my grandfather was of Persian descent, so there were lot’s of Arabic and Indian dishes,” he added, “They celebrated both Diwali and Eid, so made lots of sweet dishes and I would always help out. I’ve got a style of cooking which could have been taken from them, but I like to put my own spin on things.”

It was Zane’s wife Jane - who he said is his best friend - who applied for him to appear on the 17th series of the BBC show.

He said: “My wife applied for me, so many people told me to and last year she just decided that she was going to do it for me.

“A couple of months later I got a call from the producers that I was selected for the next part of the process. I had to cook for them and show recipes on Zoom and late last year I got the call to say I was in the final stage.”

Taking to the MasterChef kitchen didn’t phase him, and he said he was labelled as ‘the joker’ amongst the cast for his confidence and ability to make the other cast members laugh.

“You met everyone and I didn’t feel like I was up against them, we were all in the same boat and it was exciting to see their processes compared to yours,” He added.

On tonight’s episode, Zane will show off his confidence in the kitchen and flair. He will make steamed dumplings with pork filling and a South Indian fusion dish of coconut prawn curry with ginger chilli and garlic - one of his staples that he has perfected over years.

Confident amateur chef and Dunfermline rugby player Zane also uses his cooking talent for good, this year he has been raising money for Red Nose Day by serving up a barbecue from a drive through stall on Swift Street in Duloch to anyone who wanted to get involved. He picked one lucky winner who donated to his Just Giving page which has raised more than £600 for the charity, to deliver a three course meal over the weekend.

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