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 and MFC Foundation take Kitchen Therapy to East Cleveland

A free project which helps groups of people overcome problems with their self-esteem by cooking together has been launched in East Cleveland. Kitchen Therapy has been developed by TV Master Chef quarter finalist Matei Baran and Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation. Their first course, which took place at Middlesbrough College last year, resulted in half the…

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TV chef hopes 11 stones weigh loss will inspire others

A TV chef who in 2019 lost a staggering 11 stones in weight hopes his story will inspire others in the New Year. Matei Baran topped 28 stones when he reached the quarter finals of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2016. He revelled in the nickname of Big Chef, even though his morbid obesity was causing…

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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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Kitchen Therapy cooks make their debut at Riverside

Trainee cooks, who are taking part in an innovative course to improve their mental well-being, have passed their first public test with flying colours. They prepared tasty pre-match snacks for partners of the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation who gathered at the Riverside ahead of Boro’s friendly against St Etienne. The course – Kitchen Therapy –…

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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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Coastal business expands, campaigns and recruits

The family behind a string of successful and popular coastal restaurants has made a series of exciting announcements ahead of the 2019 summer season. The Wilsons – owners of the iconic Crusoe’s and The View on Tynemouth’s Longsands and The Lock at the Royal Quays Marina in North Shields – are building an extension to…

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