A First Class honours graduate from University College Birmingham (UCB) was declared a triumphant runner up in the grand final of BBC Two’s MasterChef:The Professionals last night (15 December).

Claire, 23, from Moseley, who gained her Culinary Arts Management degree and chef practical skills qualifications at UCB, had to prepare and present a three course meal to judges, the legendary Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr and MasterChef judge, Gregg Wallace.

Her menu consisted of Poached Oysters to start, a main course of smoked Pigeon followed by a Chocolate Marquis dessert.

From the start of the show Claire showed great promise and went on an incredible culinary journey with the other contestants, with the show drawing to a climax last night (15 December).  For the finalists, challenges included cooking for the Michelin-starred chefs from the finest restaurants in the UK and Spain and developing their own signature dishes for judging.

Amongst many compliments Michel Roux Jr’s said to Claire: “Your cooking is unbelievable and you should be very proud”.

Holly Bamunuge, one of Claire’s lecturers at UCB said: “We are all exceptionally proud of Claire’s achievements.  She started at UCB when she was 16 and from early on showed great creativity and focus in her cooking. During her degree she excelled on placement at Tom Aiken’s restaurant in London and alongside the rest of her studies worked part time at Michelin star restaurant Simpsons in Birmingham. To watch her on the programme has been a real joy and undoubtedly she will now be highly sought after.  Her future is very bright and we wish her all the very best”.