A CLEVEDON restaurant is set to welcome a culinary TV star to its ranks.

Tommy Thorn, from BBC's MasterChef The Professionals, is set to head up the kitchen and be made part owner of Puro, a modern British restaurant and bar. 

Tommy is due to officially join the team on May 8.

Classically-trained Tommy, who came runner up in the latest series of the programme, has spent the last ten years working in award-winning restaurants.

In 2013, he set off on his culinary journey by working at Thornbury Castle before spending time in Michelin kitchens such as Five Fields and The Frog by Adam Handling.

More recently, Tommy worked as head chef at Michelin Green Star holder The Ethecurian in Bristol, which closed last September.

Dom and Alex Lamy opened Puro in 2017. Dom explained to the North Somerset Times that Puro offers classic English cooking as well as international cuisine.

Dom said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have Tommy joining us at Puro.

"He is an excellent chef with a good business mind and we cannot wait for him to get into the kitchen and start cooking.

"We have no doubt that Tommy will elevate the food at Puro to the best it’s ever been, and how lucky for the people of Clevedon to have this right on their doorstep!”

Tommy, who was encouraged to apply for the show by his girlfriend Courtney, said: “I’m delighted to be taking on a new concept with Puro.

"I’ve been talking with Dom for a long time now and we both have the same vision and goals when it comes to providing great food and service, we’ve got some really exciting ideas and can’t wait to get stuck in and push to provide the best hospitality to the local area as well as keen diners.

"I feel like it’s time that I take something hands on as my own and I love the opportunities that Puro has as an established restaurant.

"I’m keen to serve my food based on local and seasonal produce as well as influences from around the world which I find exciting when it comes to cooking.”