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Luke Emmess Biography – Luke Emmess Wiki
Luke Emmess, a celebrated English chef, is making waves as a contestant on the 2026 season of MasterChef: The Professionals. Currently, he serves as the head chef at The Wykeham Arms, an esteemed 2AA Rosette pub and hotel located in Winchester. Luke has been leading the culinary team there since 2020, 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 embarked on a six-year journey from school age, concluding his studies with a focus on larder and pastry. Post-graduation, he embarked on his culinary career at Jamie’s Italian in Portsmouth, dedicating five years to mastering various roles and sections within the kitchen.
His career then led him to The Still & West pub in Portsmouth, where he took on his first head chef role. Reflecting on this 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 lead at the award-winning The Wykeham Arms in Winchester.
Luke’s achievements include being named Fuller’s Young Chef of the Year in 2016, earning him a prestigious four-day stage in Dubai with Jason Atherton. He further distinguished himself by winning Fuller’s Chef of the Year in 2019 and reaching the regional finals of The Roux Scholarship in 2022. His latest feat is advancing to the finals of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2026.
Luke Emmess Age
Born in 1992 in Leigh Park, Portsmouth, Luke Emmess was 33 years old when he began filming for the current season of MasterChef: The Professionals. His journey exemplifies dedication and passion for the culinary arts.
Luke Emmess Family
MasterChef’s Luke Emmess lives in Havant, Hampshire, with his wife and their four children. Luke said none of his family had known he was going to be on the BBC’s cooking show MasterChef: The Professionals and he had kept it a secret from his kids.
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.