Our culinary teams are exceptionally talented, and through our chef partnerships they have the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with some of the very best in the industry. Tina Severn, a patisserie chef at Restaurant Associates who has worked within our Classics portfolio since 2021, recently had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with renowned pastry chef, Cherish Finden on the show-stopping desserts featured on MasterChef - which aired in December.

We caught up with Tina to learn more about her journey and the experience that led to this unforgettable moment.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Cherish on several occasions, so when this opportunity came up it felt like a natural fit.

“We first collaborated during Afternoon Tea Week, creating an Asian‑themed afternoon tea at Maria G’s in Riverstone. The savoury dim sum we produced together was incredible. We later teamed up again for an afternoon tea service for another client, followed by an event for Hospitality Action, where we created a beautiful apple dessert that was an absolute hit. We also worked side by side during a tart masterclass, which was great fun.

“Every time I work with Cherish, I walk away having learned something new. She has an incredible depth of knowledge and is always generous with her time, guidance, and answers. Collaborating with her is always inspiring.”

What was your reaction when Cherish asked you to join her on MasterChef to help backstage?

“When Cherish asked me to join her on MasterChef, I was honestly shocked in the best way. I felt incredibly happy and grateful for the opportunity, especially because it’s something I’ve never experienced before. I was excited to see how everything works behind the scenes – from the cameras and production to the overall process. Of course, I was a little nervous about being on camera, but the excitement outweighed the nerves.”

Can you give us a flavour of the experience.

"Being part of the MasterChef process was incredible. My role was primarily behind the scenes, supporting the contestants as they learned to create the dishes – guiding them through recipes, demonstrating techniques and stepping in if anything was missed. I was also Cherish’s right hand, acting as her eyes and ears to help bring each dish together exactly as she envisioned it. She has incredibly high standards, so precision and consistency were essential.”

“Organisation was also a key part of my role. I prepared the dishes in advance for the ‘hero shoot’ – the final plated versions you see on screen when the challenge is introduced. Making sure those dishes were perfect and camera‑ready was a huge responsibility.”

Does this type of experience give you the appetite to take part in competitions/more events like these. 

“Absolutely. Experiences like this give me the appetite for more. In 2024, I competed in the IKA Culinary Olympics, which was an incredible and intense experience. It pushed me to my limits, but I learned so much from it. Right now, I’m also completing my Level 5 Operations Manager qualification, so I’m constantly developing both my culinary and leadership skills.

“I love taking part in events like these because they challenge me, expose me to new ideas, and allow me to learn new techniques and dishes. Working with different people is always inspiring, and I believe every experience no matter how big or small teaches you something valuable.”