Pub chef 'feeling good' after MasterChef final

Spoiler warning: This article contains details of series 18 of MasterChef: The Professionals

A pub's head chef has said he was "feeling good" after competing in the final of this year's BBC's MasterChef: The Professionals.

Luke Emmess, who has worked at The Wykeham Arms in Winchester for six years, was seen going head-to-head with Mark O'Brien and Gareth Baty as the pre-recorded finale was aired on BBC One on Thursday night.

Despite losing out to eventual winner Baty, Emmess said: "The result wasn't exactly what I hoped for, but I'm still really happy with how I performed. I think I executed the dishes under the circumstances pretty well on the day."

His three-course menu included a twist on the English breakfast for his starter, a take on Chinese duck and a tiramisu-inspired dessert.

In one of the culinary challenges, where he cooked for 23 of the UK's most respected chefs, his hogget dish was described as "fresh and vibrant", "a joy to eat" and "a masterful main course".

Looking back on that moment, the 32-year-old father of four said: "I gave it my best shot – the dish was a triumph."

Emmess, from Portsmouth, said he had watched the final with friends and family.

"I am feeling good it's finally out there... it's been a secret we've been sitting on for quite a while."

He added after appearing on the programme the already busy pub on Kingsgate Street had been busier than ever.

"A lot of customers are asking to see me because they have seen me on the tele... but I'm not quite sure I'm at celebrity status," he said.

"I'm enjoying it here in Winchester. I haven't made any grand plans."

He added he had become good friends with fellow finalists O'Brien and Baty and the trio had enjoyed dinner together earlier this week ahead of the showdown being aired.