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Luke Emmess Biography – Luke Emmess Wiki
Luke Emmess, a notable English chef, is showcasing his culinary prowess as a contestant on the 2026 season of “MasterChef: The Professionals.” Currently, he serves as the head chef at The Wykeham Arms in Winchester, a distinguished establishment boasting a 2AA Rosette rating. Since 2020, he has been at the helm of this esteemed pub and hotel, following his tenure as head chef at The Still & West in Old Portsmouth.
Luke honed his culinary skills at South Downs College in Waterlooville, where he dedicated six years to mastering the art of cooking, with a particular focus on larder and pastry during his final year. After completing his studies, he embarked on his professional journey at Jamie’s Italian in Portsmouth, where he gained invaluable experience over five years, progressing through various roles and kitchen sections.
His career path led him to The Still & West pub in Portsmouth, where he assumed his first position as head chef. Reflecting on this pivotal experience, Luke shared with the BBC, “It was my first Head Chef position. I was promoted quite young and had a lot to learn very quickly — it was definitely a sink or swim situation, but looking back, it really helped me develop as a chef.” Today, he continues to excel at The Wykeham Arms, an award-winning venue in Winchester.
Luke’s culinary achievements are impressive. In 2016, he was named Fuller’s Young Chef of the Year, an accolade that included a four-day culinary experience in Dubai with renowned chef Jason Atherton. He further cemented his reputation by winning Fuller’s Chef of the Year in 2019 and reaching the regional finals of The Roux Scholarship in 2022. This year, he has made it to the finals of the BBC’s “MasterChef: The Professionals.”
Luke Emmess Age
Born in 1992 in Leigh Park, Portsmouth, Luke was 33 years old when filming for the 2026 series of “MasterChef: The Professionals” began.
Luke Emmess Family
Outside of his professional life, Luke resides in Havant, Hampshire, with his wife and their four children. Interestingly, he managed to keep his participation in the BBC’s renowned cooking show a secret from his family, including his children, until the moment it aired.
His wife inspired one of his dishes on the show. “I did a dish based around ingredients that she loved,” Luke said. “Marcus Wareing said that he believes he could see it on a two, three Michelin star restaurant anywhere in Europe. You can’t really get much higher praise than that.”
Luke Emmess MasterChef: The Professionals
Luke Emmess is a contestant on MasterChef: The Professionals 2026. The early rounds of the show saw Luke move comfortably through skills tests and invention challenges, before he hit his stride in Knockout Week and beyond, where judges including Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti praised his calmness under pressure.
He is set to compete with two other talented contestants for the show’s coveted trophy and title of MasterChef: The Professionals champion on Thursday, 26 March 2026. He will take on Mark O’Brien, chef patron at Willy’s Margate, and private chef Gareth Baty.
Luke Emmess’ Instagram handle is @chef_emmess.
