Mat Follas

Mat Follas, 44,^{[clarification needed]} was the winner of the BBC's MasterChef programme in 2009. He was born in the UK, to New Zealand parents and grew up in New Zealand. He moved to the UK when in his 20s and is now the father of three children.^{[1][citation needed]}

Follas won Masterchef by beating Andy Oliver and Chris Gates in the grand final. His final winning dish consisted of a starter of trio of rabbit with nettles and pancetta crisps; a main of spider crab thermidor accompanied with mussels, foraged sea vegetables and a side of chips; and for pudding a creamy lavender and blackberry mousse with honeycomb and blackberry sauce.^[2]

He always wanted to set up a restaurant with his family serving his distinctive "hearty" food, saying during MasterChef that he did not only want to win for himself, but also for his family. He has now opened his own restaurant 'The Wild Garlic' ^[3]' in Beaminster, Dorset.^[4]

References

1. ^ Revoir, Paul (2009-02-27). "Mat Follas wins MasterChef... but is forced to put dreams of opening restaurant on ice as financial crisis bites". Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1156666/Mat-Follas-wins-MasterChef--forced-dreams-opening-restaurant-ice-financial-crisis-bites.html. 
2. ^ "Mat Follas wins MasterChef 2009". The Daily Telegraph (London). 2009-02-27. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4841643/Mat-Follas-wins-MasterChef-2009.html. Retrieved 2010-05-12. 
3. ^ the Wild Garlic Beaminster Mat Follas - Home
4. ^ You Brits are ashamed of your own food, says MasterChef champion | Countryfile Magazine

External links

• Wild Garlic website
• Personal blog
• The Guardian
• September 2011 video interview with Mat about his restaurant

Preceded by James Nathan

BBC Masterchef champion 2009

Succeeded by Dhruv Baker

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Name	Follas, Mat
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