MasterChef 2010 winner Dhruv Baker has told how Gordon Ramsay helped ignite his passion for food after scooping the top TV cooking crown.
The 34-year-old south Londoner, who won praise from judges for having the "palate of an angel", recalled how as a young university graduate he became fired up by Gordon while watching him on TV.
He said: "I did not know many famous chefs ... he was so passionate about it and so talented and he was one of the celebrity chefs I first noticed. I bought all his books. He's gone from that to being a global superstar."
Asked if he would like to follow in Gordon's footsteps and become a TV chef, Dhruv said: "My goal is to open a restaurant and for it to be well regarded. If anything more were to come, I would welcome that and relish it.
"Successful TV chefs have been well respected before making that move. I need that foundation to be a credible chef."
The former board director of a media firm quit his job while filming the show and now plans to open his own restaurant.
Dhruv saw off competition from Tim Kinnaird and Alex Rushmer as he battled through the gruelling final stages and described his competitors as "amazing". Their final task was to prepare a three course meal for John Torode and fellow judge Gregg Wallace.
Torode said of Baker: "The guy has a talent that very few people will ever have, and that is to cook the most amazing fusion food that I've ever tasted."
Gregg added: "Dhruv, I've got to say, is probably one of the most amazing talents I've ever seen. He has the palate of an angel."
