Project continues to support vulnerable adults despite lockdown

A project to support vulnerable adults in East Cleveland is continuing despite the coronavirus lockdown. In February television MasterChef Matei Baran and Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation launched their second Kitchen Therapy programme which uses cooking to bring together and help people who struggle with their mental health. Kitchen Therapy has been halted, but the people…

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TV Chef’s life transformed by Kitchen Therapy

The return of MasterChef: The Professionals to our television screens has brought back bittersweet memories for one of its former contestants. Reaching the quarter-finals in 2016 was a dream come true for Matei Baran. It was the third time he had attempted to get on the show – beating competition from 4,000 other chefs and…

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Big Chef loses six stones and transforms into 10k runner

Four months ago TV MasterChef Matei Baran was out of breath bending down to tie his shoelaces. Today – and more than six stones lighter – he is the proud owner of a medal presented to him for completing a 10k race in just one hour and 20 minutes. Romanian-born Matei, 41, weighed more than…

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Big Chef to become Iron Chef after Kitchen Therapy success

The success of a cooking course to promote mental well-being and self-confidence has inspired both the people who took part and the man behind it – television MasterChef quarter finalist Chef Matei Baran. Over 12 weeks Matei – who lives in Wallsend and is known as the Big Chef – taught the trainees how to…

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TV Chef reveals suicide bid as he launches Kitchen Therapy

Tyneside’s TV chef Matei Baran – who is providing Kitchen Therapy for people with mental health problems – has spoken for the first time about the time he tried to kill himself. Romanian-born Matei moved to the North East 10 years ago and has worked in the kitchens of a number of high-profile restaurants and…

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TV Masterchefs team up for special fund-raising event

Two TV MasterChef quarter finalists are teaming up next month to raise money for research into a life limiting disease. Matei Baran, who appeared on the show in 2016, and last year’s contestant Max Gott are creating a luxury five course tasting menu for diners at Max’s restaurant – Bistro Forty Six in Jesmond –…

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Big Chef Little Chef book launched by TV Master Chef

TV MasterChef quarter-finalist Matei Baran has unveiled plans for a book which will celebrate the bond he has with his son, who suffers from a life-limiting illness, and encourage young children to cook healthy food. Armin was born with cystic fibrosis and was a seriously ill baby. Operations, daily medication, physiotherapy, physical activity and a…

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