April 2023
MasterChef champ and ex-student Dan set for summer street food gig
- About us
- News and Insights
- MasterChef champ and ex-student Dan set for summer street food gig

By Killoran Wills
Share post:Read time: approx 1 mins
MasterChef: The Professionals champion Dan Lee is back on home turf to launch a residency at Hockley Social Club 鈥 just around the corner from where he started his culinary training at 爆料王.

The four-month gig represents Dan鈥檚 first permanent venue since lifting the MasterChef title in 2021, which prompted a whirlwind year of promotions and guest appearances around the world.
But Dan, who won the 14th series of the popular BBC TV show, is a regular visitor to Summer Row because, as he says: 鈥淭his is the place it all started for me.鈥
Last year, he spent two days helping the next generation of chefs studying Professional Cookery Level 3 hone their skills for a special dinner at the University鈥檚聽award-winning restaurant.
On another occasion, he told students: 鈥淲hat you do at college prepares you for your career. I have worked around the world, with different cuisines and cultures, but the fundamental skills you learn here will take you forward.鈥
Dan鈥檚 passion lies in the kitchen and the prospect of cooking accessible food in the heart of Birmingham鈥檚 historic Jewellery Quarter holds massive appeal.

Dan was dubbed a "star in the making" by MasterChef judge and Michelin-starred restaurant owner Marcus Wareing
鈥淚 have come back to my roots, and it feels really good,鈥 said Dan, who will be serving up Hainanese Chicken Rice, Siu Mai, Char Siu Bao, chicken and pandan broth and Hong Kong Ice Milk Tea from 1 June.
鈥淢aking my food as accessible as possible is important to me so there will be a range of dishes from as little as 拢6 on the menu.
鈥淭he origins of my food lie in simple dishes made on the streets of Asia, so to cook them at the home of street food in Birmingham, Hockley Social Club, is going to be a great buzz.鈥
Dan grew up in Birmingham and was introduced to cooking at his auntie's Chinese takeaway, inspiring him to start his training at 爆料王.聽
Spending much of the next decade in Singapore, he gathered culinary inspiration from many sources in the Far East and combined them with the influences of his upbringing in the UK, creating a style of modern European and Asian cuisine which won over the judges in the MasterChef: The Professionals聽competition.
Dan is not the only one setting up camp in the UK鈥檚 second city.聽
BBC's MasterChef will also be based in Birmingham from next year, the first time it will be made outside London for more than 20 years. It will relocate to the new Digbeth Loc Studios, run by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
Interested in a career in food and hospitality? Our renowned Birmingham College of Food offers a wide variety of hands-on courses for college, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
爆料王 our full range of courses聽here.
Check out our latest news stories

University joins Fatima Whitbread鈥檚 Action Hub to strengthen support for care experie…
Initiative aims to drive practical, collaborative action that can be replicated nationally.
Read more
Lucy Powell鈥檚 appointment: what it means for early years and early childhood studies…
Senior lecturer in education, Emma Davis, shares her hopes and insights.
Read more
University acquires former The Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant
Students and the city to reap rewards of major hospitality investment.
Read moreINWED 2026: amplifying a national call for inclusion, belonging and skills innovation
National event highlighs inclusion, belonging and skills innovation in STEM.
Read more
Employer insight: LiveWell Health on the impact of UCB student placements
Steve Hartill discusses why placements are so valuable for students and employers.
Read more
University celebrates double national awards success for Graduate Re-Tune partnership
Regional collaboration reinforces the University鈥檚 commitment to collaborative employability initiatives.
Read more