Swindon Young MasterChef finalist reveals plans for future

Lewis Gibson from Penhill made it all the way to the final of the popular cooking show earlier this month.

He finished as a runner-up in the final which aired on Monday.

Now, in an exclusive interview with the Adver, Lewis said he was overwhelmed with the support he has received from his hometown throughout the journey.

Lewis made the final of BBC's Young MasterChef this year. (Image: BBC)

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“I think more than anything it has just been amazing to see the reception from everyone.

“To hear my friends and family but even to hear people I’ve never spoken to commenting and messaging my mum to say how well I’ve done is just crazy.

“I am so happy with it all and to see the love from everyone in Swindon because more than anything it is completely touching to have the town behind me.

“I was told there was even a watch party in my local pub The Deer’s Leap.”

Lewis is from Penhill in Swindon. (Image: BBC)

The 22-year-old narrowly lost out in the final but remains upbeat as well as proud of how the experience shaped him as a whole.

“I would have loved to have won but the result is something I am happy with,” he said.

“I always set high targets for myself and the ultimate goal was to go as far as I could.

“I knew I could cook but to go on the show, you’re going in blind.

“The best dish won at the end of the day and although I am sad not to win, it is the experience that makes it and it has been the experience of a lifetime.

“It has changed how I see myself and how I see my cooking and now its about using it as a step to the next thing.”

Lewis had quite the journey on the TV show. (Image: BBC)

Lewis also told the Adver what he sees his future entailing with a possible reunion with his Young MasterChef competitors.

“My mind is always on the future and what I will be working on after this,” he said.

“I have got a couple of ideas about doing collaborations with other people from the show which I am looking forward to.

“In the immediate short term, it’s going to be a case of putting out as many videos as I can, let’s knuckle down and get to work as this has opened a lot of doors for me.”