We are excited to learn that OKS and former King's teacher, Henry Phillips, has been announced as a contestant on this year’s BBC MasterChef. Henry is one of five contestants who will be battling it out in Heat 8 for a place in the quarter-finals.

Henry was a day pupil in Marlowe House from 2005 to 2010. He studied Economics at the University of Bristol, graduating with a first-class degree. After university, he returned to King’s for two years as an economics teacher and Deputy Housemaster of The Grange.

In an interview with the BBC, Henry said:

This was my third time applying, but the first time I got through to the first round. You can’t keep a keen cook down! So, it wasn’t so much about entering it this year rather the cooking stars aligned this year. But generally, I entered because the competition looks so much fun! I think I'd enjoy the process, and I'd love my chop-of-a-knife to be edited to line up with the beat drop in the MasterChef action music.

I would love to do something in food as a career. I am already on my third career (Teaching, Consultant, Retail) so a fourth spin at something new could be fun. In particular, I’d love to teach people to cook. I’d love to combine my first career - secondary school teacher – with my love of food.

Good luck Henry - we look forward to following your journey on the show! You can follow Henry on Instagram here.

MasterChef (Heat 8) airs from Thursday 28 August 8pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.