MasterChef winner announces residency at Birmingham street food hot spot

Birmingham’s street food scene is among the most exciting in Britain with a wealth of talented traders offering some exquisite dishes - for a fraction of the price you would pay in a restaurant.

Leading the way is Digbeth Dining Club which has two permanent venues in the city - at Hockley Social Club and Herbert’s Yard in Longbridge. It also hosts pop up events across the West Midlands - and further afield.

Now MasterChef: The Professionals winner Dan Lee has announced he will be taking up residency at the team’s popular Hockley Social Club venue. Dan is the second chef from Birmingham to bring home the prestigious trophy from the show - after Stu Deeley won back in 2019 - with Dan winning in 2021. He honed his skills at University College Birmingham after attending Hall Green Secondary School.

Following his MasterChef win Dan returned home and has spent the last year exploring Birmingham’s culinary scene and collaborating with some of the city’s culinary stars, from fellow MasterChef winner, Stuart Deeley, to Vietnamese street food concept, Eat Vietnam.

He will be taking up a semi-permanent residence at Hockley Social Club from June 1 to October 1. Described by Michelin-star celebrity chef Marcus Wareing as ‘a star in the making’, Dan’s menu will take in dishes such as Hainanese Chicken Rice, Siu Mai, Char Siu Bao, Chicken and Pandan Broth, and Hong Kong Ice Milk Tea.

Dan said, “I’m thrilled to lay down some roots and join Hockley Social Club from June 1. Making my food as accessible as possible is important to me, so there will be a range of dishes from as little as £6 on the menu.

“The origins of my food lie in simple dishes made on the streets of Asia so to cook them at THE home of street food in Birmingham, Hockley Social Club, is going to be a real buzz.”For further information about Hockley Social Club and for bookings, please visit: www.hockleysocialclub.com/bookings Follow Dan Lee on Instagram @daniel.jb.lee