FORMER Halesowen College catering student Stuart Deeley has completed a meteoric rise to the world of the culinary elite after being crowned the winner of Masterchef: The Professionals.

Stu took home the 2019 title of the hit BBC show after wowing judges Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace with his culinary creations.

The 28-year-old studied catering at the Whittingham Road college between 2007 and 2010 and credits his time there with kick-starting his career, which has seen him work as head chef in some of Birmingham's most prestigious restaurants.

Reacting to his win, Stu said: "I'm absolutely over the moon. Now I can share it with people its been a weight off my shoulders."

Stu stunned the judges with his creations, winning praise from Gregg Wallace who credited Stu with adding a "Stu-stamp" to his dishes to showcase his personality and roots.

The father-of-one was one of thousands to apply to take part in the show and was one of 48 contestants to battle it out to be crowned the 13th winner of the BBC competition.

In the grand final of the competition, Stu, along with his fellow finalists Exose Grant Lopo-Ndinga and Olivia Burt, had to the dazzle the judges with three courses of their choice.

Stu made a starter of soy and mirin-smoked salmon and a main of spiced guinea fowl which won universal praised from the judges- who have won 26 Michelin stars between them.

For his dessert, Stu made his much-loved milk and cookies, which he said was his favourite dish to make on the show.

Stu, who has a two-year-old son called Jack, credits his son for inspiring him to apply to take part in the competition.

Stu explained: "It's all because of my little boy Jack. When I had Jack I wanted to be able to say to him to face challenges head on. I thought if I don't do that how can I tell him to do that, so I went for it."

He has known since the final was filmed in September that he had won, but had to keep his success under wraps until the final aired on December 19.

His glittering career began when he won a culinary competition while studying at Halesowen and he was talent spotted by the head chef at Jamie's Italian in Birmingham.

He has worked in restaurants across the West Midlands, including a stint as chef as at Brockencote Hall in Chaddesley Corbett in 2012, before joining acclaimed Michelin-starred Simpsons in Birmingham and more recently he worked as head chef at trendy The Wilderness.

2020 is set to be a busy year for Stu as he plans to open his own restaurant in the Jewellery Quarter in the Spring.

Until then, Stu is looking forward to enjoying Christmas with his family- where he says his mother-in-law will be cooking Christmas dinner.