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MasterChef champion joins Durham restaurant in exclusive treat for dinersBookings open for a special tasting menu experience in Durham as a Masterchef: The Professionals winner teams up with

a Michelin Guide restaurantCommentsBarbara Hodgson Life Writer03:31, 04 Jun 2025MasterChef champion Dan Merriman who will be helping to create a special tasting menu at Faru in Durham over

three days this June An exclusive dining experience will be on offer in Durham for just three days this June with the arrival of a guest chef at a fine dining restaurant. Dan Merriman,

champion of MasterChef: The Professionals 2024, will be heading north to Faru in the city centre where he will be joining chef patron Jake Siddle in the kitchen.

There the culinary talents will combine their considerable skills and work together on a limited-edition 10-course tasting menu which will be available to book from June 12-14. The result of

the collaboration promises to be a real treat, with the pair focusing upon creating seasonal dishes with innovation and flair.

‌ Dan, who won the professional leg of the BBC cooking competition last December, was working as sous chef at the Black Bull Inn in Old Langho, Lancashire, when he took the title. While he

retains links with the award-winning pub, holding special events there, he now runs his own private dining experience as his reputation continues to rocket.

‌ His upcoming stint at Faru in Durham's Silver Street will mark his first tasting menu collaboration in the North East since his MasterChef success. As previously reported, Faru - whose

name means ‘journey’ in Old English - was opened by Jake and Laura Siddle in spring 2023 and it earned a place in the Michelin Guide within just eight months of its launch.

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The fine dining restaurant, boasting modern British cuisine, was a first for the couple and, with chef Jake heading up a now-12-strong kitchen team and Laura leading front-of-house, they

continue to fulfil their aim of taking diners on a culinary journey through options of regularly-changing five and 10-course tasting menus. Now the new collaborative 10-course menu set to be

offered to guests this June will fuse what is described as 'two distinct but like-minded approaches to flavour, technique and balance' and it promises to be a well-thought-out showcase of

both chefs' skills.

Article continues belowJake and Laura Siddle run Faru in Durham city centre Jake said: “Dan and I both love food that’s clear, purposeful and full of flavour. Dan’s cooking has real

intention behind it, which fits naturally with the kind of menu we create here at Faru.”

On the menu will be the likes of duck liver parfait with cherry and duck ham; glazed hand-dived scallops with flavours of umami as well as kimchi and kaffir lime, plus halibut. There also

will be snacks and desserts and Laura will be creating an optional wine pairing to accompany the dishes.

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Ahead of his visit, Dan said: “I am really excited about this collaboration! The food and ethos that Jake and Laura provide for their guests is truly special.

"To be part of their journey, no matter how small, is a true privilege.” The dining experience will be available for five services over the three days, with just a small number of spaces

being available for each.

Article continues below The full tasting menu, including the wine pairing, costs £125. To book see here.