A CHEF who made the final of a national TV series has gone back to his roots on Tyneside.
John Calton, who made the final three of BBC series Masterchef: The Professionals in 2010, has left his post as executive head chef at the Duke of Wellington pub in Newton, Northumberland, to take a job as head chef at the Harbour Lights in his home town, South Shields.
The homecoming means the 30-year-old chef, a former pupil at Harton Comprehensive School, can be closer to his new fiance Kimberley O’Brien and his family, who live in the town.
He said: “It is the first time I have worked in South Shields since I was 18 at the Little Haven Hotel. It is great to come home. I have always worked away, now is a good opportunity to return. It just seemed like the right time.”
John has been appointed head chef at the Lawe Road pub, which overlooks the Tyne harbour. It has just reopened having been taken over by Craig Shelmerdine, also from South Shields.
He said: “I was just ready for a new venture really. I am just relishing a new challenge. We want to give people good fresh food that is home-cooked.
“We also want to give people value for money.
