MasterChef professional Elizabeth Passédat to serve as Cleveland Arms head chef

Elizabeth Passédat has been appointed head chef of the Cleveland Arms in London's Paddington.

Passédat, who made it to the quarter-finals of MasterChef: the Professionals in 2018, joins from Helena Puolakka's Aster in London's Victoria, where she served as senior chef de partie. The 29-year-old honed her skills at kitchens including Pierre Koffmann at the Berkeley and Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Oriental.

Passédat, who is originally from Paris, will root her seasonally changing menu in French cuisine with influences from Asia and South America. Dishes will include breaded hen egg, British asparagus, Parmesan and chives; Barbary duck with Hispi cabbage and cardamom jus; and an egg-free pavlova with tonka bean and summer berries.

She will take on the Victorian pub's kitchen this month under co-owners Maria and John Tamander.

Passédat said: "I couldn't be more excited to be joining the team at the Cleveland Arms. It's one of the most beautiful pub buildings in London, with the most gorgeous open kitchen and I'm really looking forward to creating a comforting and vibrant menu showcasing my favourite ingredients and French cooking style, while introducing a handful of international influences from Asia and South America."