Chef Larkin Cen Wiki, Age, Wife, Parents, Family, MasterChef, Great British Menu
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Larkin Cen Biography – Larkin Cen Wiki
Larkin Cen is a British chef and restaurant owner. He is best known as the MasterChef Finalist 2013 and contestant on the BBC’s Great British Menu in 2022 and 2024.
Larkin is the founder of The Monkey King, a residency at Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales. He is also the co-owner of the Daily Noodles, an Asian restaurant in Bristol that specialises in noodles and bao.
Larkin’s passion for cooking began as a child, watching his parents cook in their Cardiff Chinese takeaway. He first trained as a lawyer but gave up his career to pursue his passion for cooking professionally after reaching the finals of MasterChef in 2013.
Larkin was a chef consultant at The Celtic Manor for three years, before opening his own fast casual noodle bar brand chain, now called Daily Noodles, in Bristol. He went on to open the restaurant Woky Ko.
Recently, Larkin returned to The Celtic Manor to open a new Asian restaurant concept ‘The Monkey King.’ His cooking is based on traditional Chinese flavours with a western edge. He believes Chinese food is beautiful, and aims to change the perception of it in the UK – to show its diversity and that it’s not just something to have as a takeaway.
Larkin Cen Age
Great British Menu chef Larkin Cen was born in July 1984.
Larkin Cen Wife
Larkin Cen is married to his wife Nicola Cen. The pair tied the knot in May 2022. Larkin took to Instagram “to thank each and every one of our friends and family for helping us celebrate our Wedding Day”.
He wrote: “On behalf of my wife and I, we would just like to thank each and every one of our friends and family for helping us celebrate our Wedding Day. We had the best day of our lives and we have been absolutely overwhelmed by the kindness, love, support and generosity shown to us.
“Thank you to the best men Tom and Owain for properly roasting me. You’re words will never be forgotten…unfortunately.
“We have a mountain of presents and cards to open and once we do we will thank you all personally but until then please know we are so grateful. We hope to see you all soon, we are already planning the housewarming party.
“Love, Mr and Mrs Cen (and of course our baby daughter Ava) xx”.
Larkin Cen Family
Larkin Cen and his wife, Nicola Cen, have two children; daughter Ava and son Oliver. Oliver was born on 17 January 2024 at the Royal United Hospital. Larkin announced the birth of their son on Instagram, writing, “Pleased to announce the safe arrival of Oliver in the early hours of Wednesday. He’s doing well. Nicola did amazing and Ava is a little brother now. Thanks to the staff at the Royal United Hospital”
Larkin Cen Great British Menu
MasterChef finalist Larkin Cen was a contestant on the BBC’s Great British Menu in 2022 and 2024. He left before getting to cook for the judges in Series 17.
Great British Menu 2024
Larkin is one of four chefs representing Wales on Great British Menu 2024 alongside Corrin Harrison, Lewis Dwyer and Nick Rudge. The BBC Two series is presented by chef, television and radio broadcaster and singer, Andi Oliver.
He is proud to be Welsh, and to represent Wales in the competition with his style of British-Chinese cuisine. His playful take on the theme has allowed Larkin to celebrate Welsh athletes, and the time honoured traditions of passing the flame to the next host nation.
Great British Menu 2022
Larkin previously represented Wales on Great British Menu 2022 alongside Tom Phillips, Mark Threadgill and Nathan Davies. “Cooking alongside those three chefs in the GBM kitchen was one of the highlights for me. They are without a doubt some of Wales’ top chefs,” he said.
On being selected to represent Wales on the Great British Menu in 2022, Larkin told The Bristol Magazine: “It was an honour to represent Wales for the Great British Menu. I grew up helping my parents in their Chinese takeaway in Cardiff and it’s where my passion for cooking began, so to be asked to represent Wales was an amazing moment. There are some great chefs from Wales and so I wanted to make sure I made Wales proud, not forgetting Bristol of course, which is now my adopted home. I’ve spent most of my adult life here so it is home to me as well.”
He wrote on Instagram at the time: “Was honoured to be invited to compete on Great British Menu this year. Was a show I watched when I was younger and was inspirational in me quitting my day job as a lawyer and setting up my own food business.
“Since that point I have thrown myself into it. It’s been a steep learning curve but I’ve enjoyed learning about the cuisine I love cooking and the techniques involved.”
Larkin Cen Masterchef
Larkin Cen reached the Masterchef final in 2013. Speaking about his time on MasterChef, he said in a previous interview: “When I entered Masterchef I was still a solicitor with a passion for food. The success there gave me the push I needed to follow my dreams and make it my full time career.”
Larkin Cen Nationality
He is of British nationality.
Larkin Cen Ethnicity
Larkin Cen is of Asian heritage.
Larkin Cen’s Instagram handle is @larkincen.
