EAST Lancashire chef Simon Salt lived up to his name by crashing out of BBC2’s Masterchef: The Professionals – for over-seasoning his food.

The 26-year-old former North West Young Chef of the Year, of Copster Hill Close, Guide, Blackburn, was sent home after the first test in the quarter-final after failing to impress judges Michel Roux Jr and Gregg Wallace with his roasted venison and vegetables dish.

Double Michelin-starred chef Roux Jr told the former Accrington and Rossendale College student his beetroot cubes had been over-salted, and his venison had been cut badly.

However, he said the meat and celereac puree had been cooked to perfection.

Simon, who grew up in Oswaldtwistle and went to St Christopher’s CE High School, Accrington, has worked in a number of renowned East Lancashire restaurants, including Northcote Manor, Stanley House Hotel, the Feilden’s Arms, and the Freemasons Arms.

He has also worked at Michelin-starred establishments in Wales and Spain, and now works at The Restaurant at Ribby Hall, Wrea Green, near Kirkham.