Thomas Frake OD wins Masterchef 2020

One of our Old Dartfordians, Thomas Frake (1998-2005), has recently become the 2020 Masterchef champion. Those of us who watched any of the programmes understand what a gruelling process the seven weeks of eliminations are, with every plate produced under that stress counting towards whether one stays or goes. In the end his consistency and sense of direction won through - he created some stunning dishes, notably his take on a sunday roast which set him apart from the competition quite early on. 

 Thomas went into the competition with considerable focus - he wanted to elevate normal food to masterchef standards, and throughout the competition he kept that goal in sight: as Masterchef judge Greg Wallace said 'He takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. I really admire Thomas. He wants to take all the foods that he grew up with and make them better.'

Thomas attended Dartford Grammar School from 1998 until 2005, and went on to read Financial Technology at Sussex University, whence he graduated in 2008. Following a career in financial technology, he most recently was Head Consultant of International Banking & Payments at City firm ECAP, but maybe not for much longer: after winning the masterchef title he said 'I can’t see me not working in food for the rest of my life because it just makes me happy seeing other people happy with it.'

Careers can sometimes take the strangest of routes through a life and Thomas is a fine example of how in the end your passions can win through. We wish him all the very best for the future after this amazing achievement and hope we can convince him to pop into school sometime to tell us more. 

For more details on his journey, read the inews article at https://inews.co.uk/culture/masterchef-2020-who-won-thomas-frake-results-winner-final-2542463