Ismail Hossain Biography – Ismail Hossain Wiki

Ismail Hossain, a talented chef from Bangladesh, is making waves as a contestant on the 2026 edition of MasterChef: The Professionals. Currently, he helms the kitchen at The Stag, a popular gastro pub nestled in Hampstead. His culinary journey has seen him grace the kitchens of several renowned London eateries, including Barrica, The Riding House Café, Copita, Temper, The Duke of Wellington on Portobello Road, The Old Ship in Hammersmith, and The Marlborough in Richmond.

Hossain’s culinary odyssey began humbly as a kitchen porter at Barrica Tapas Bar, a Spanish restaurant in London. It was there that he honed crucial skills such as discipline, speed, and an appreciation for quality ingredients. His dedication and passion propelled him through the ranks, ultimately earning him the position of Head Chef. His career is marked by notable achievements in building cohesive kitchen teams, crafting seasonal menus, and consistently delivering exemplary dishes. Hossain prides himself on blending classical culinary techniques with bold flavors, a nod to his cultural heritage, creating memorable dining experiences.

Despite the financial hurdles that prevented him from attending culinary school, Hossain’s determination never wavered. He initially gained kitchen experience by volunteering his time with former colleagues. His perseverance was rewarded when a company sponsored his Level 2 Advanced Cheffing course. By 2024, he had completed a Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene course, stepping up to a supervisory role.

Inspiration

His passion for cooking was ignited in his childhood kitchen in Bangladesh, under the guidance of his mother. In a conversation with the BBC, he shared, “Growing up in Bangladesh, I spent a lot of time helping her in the kitchen as she was always busy, and that is where my love for food truly began. Cooking was part of daily life, and I learned early on how food brings people together.”

Hossain’s culinary aspirations were further fueled upon his move to the UK, where his head chef, James Knight, became a pivotal influence. “Watching my head chef, James Knight, create new dishes and transform simple ingredients into beautiful, delicious plates opened my eyes to what cooking could be. I realised then that food has the power to make people happy, and that inspired me to pursue it as a career,” he reflected.

His cooking philosophy is deeply anchored in the principles of simplicity and ingredient integrity. “I strongly believe that less is more when it comes to food, allowing natural flavors to shine. I have a real passion for slow cooking, where time and technique transform simple ingredients into something exceptional,” he explained. An advocate for open-fire cooking, Hossain appreciates the depth, character, and authenticity it brings to his culinary creations.

Ismail Hossain Age

MasterChef contestant Ismail Hossain was born in 1992 in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. He was 33 years of age at the start of filming of MasterChef: The Professionals series 18.

Ismail Hossain MasterChef: The Professionals

Head Chef Ismail Hossain is a contestant on the 18th series of MasterChef: The Professionals on BBC One and iPlayer. Judging the TV’s biggest professional cooking competition are culinary legend Marcus Wareing, renowned chef Monica Galetti and new judge Matt Tebbutt.

Ismail wanted to take part in MasterChef: The Professionals to “prove to myself that I have what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and to honour the chefs and colleagues who have taught me so much along the way.” He added: “I put my heart into everything I cook, and I believe MasterChef is the perfect platform to challenge me, recognise my hard work, and help take my career to the next level.”

Ismail Hossain Family

Originally from Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Ismail Hossain lives with his wife Sarah and daughter in West London, England.

Ismail Hossain Ethnicity

Ismail Hossain is of Asian ethnicity. He is originally from Bangladesh.

Ismail Hossain Nationality

Ismail Hossain is of British nationality.

Instagram

Ismail Hossain is on Instagram @thechefsmiley.