Speaker Profile

Simon Wood

Founder, WOOD Manchester (MasterChef Winner 2015)

Simon Wood is MasterChef Champion 2015, crowned the winner when he wowed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with his menu inspired by classic flavour combinations, Octopus and Chorizo, Pigeon and Blackberry and Lemon and Lime. Former Data Manager, Simon started cooking when he could ‘reach the top of an oven’. His passion began when, at eight years old, he won a competition to be anything for a day and he chose to be a chef.

Thirty years later Simon’s MasterChef win saw him fulfilling a dream he has had since he was young.

Since winning MasterChef, Simon has been appointed executive chef of Oldham Event Centre part of Oldham Athletic Football Club where he works across fine dining events in the club and masterclasses. His areas of passion include fine dining and the art of plating, and teaching.

His love is to create delicious food that makes people smile and is shown in his debut cookbook At Home with Simon Wood – Fine Dining Made Simple launched in 2017.

2017 saw Simon open his first restaurant WOOD Manchester in the First Street development bringing his unique culinary style along with his handpicked team to the heart of Manchester.