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MasterChef quarter-finalist launches pop-up in Bristol
A new restaurant pop-up has been launched inspired by American cuisine.
Frankie’s Fried Chicken, from MasterChef finalist Adam Ball, is open until Sunday at Kong’s on King Street.
Ball, from Barrs Court, was a quarter-finalist in the 2023 edition of the popular competitive TV cooking show MasterChef.
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At the time he was a full-time builder but has since developed a blossoming career as a chef: “I would say at the minute, the split is probably 80 per cent chef, 20 per cent builder.”
Since 2023 he has provided private dining services and even established a fine dining supper club called Ralph’s Supper Club after his son.
Adam Ball was a quarter-finalist in the 2023 edition of MasterChef – photo credit: Adam Ball
Ball has hosted ten supper clubs in Bristol so far, all of which have attracted dozens of guests. His last three supper clubs sold out within 24 hours.
While his MasterChef appearance helped him secure opportunities initially, Ball said his consistency and hard work have helped him secure his place in the Bristol food scene.
“I think if you don’t love what you do it comes across in the food.
“If you come off Master Chef, you can rush into doing things and don’t do what you love. Whereas I’ve come straight out of it and I’m just cooking the food I love. I’m just loving it!”
Adam’s wife and children are at the heart of everything he does – photo credit: Adam Ball
Ball’s family have also been a great support: “The thing that keeps me going after MasterChef is my incredible family, who support me in every step, and my wife, the taste tester and developer on every dish. She pushes me to be a better person.”
Frankie’s Fried Chicken is his latest venture, named after his daughter.
“We went to America probably ten years ago, me and my wife, and we had the best fried chicken and waffles. And just no one really does it the way I’m doing it.
“So, I started making fried chicken waffles at home – me and my daughter used to make it together – and it has all just come together.”
Frankie’s Fried Chicken closes this Sunday – photo credit: Adam Ball
At Frankie’s customers can enjoy unique fried chicken and waffle flavour combinations, including mango and buffalo sauce.
Ball says his goal is to ultimately place Frankie’s – which was officially registered as a takeaway food company earlier this year – in a “secure venue.”
He also sees himself releasing a cookbook and continuing to build connections in Bristol’s large food community:
“In the food scene, nobody’s in competition with each other. It just seems like everybody’s got each other’s back. And it’s just really nice.”
After Frankie’s, Ball will be delivering cooking demos at Valley Fest in August and will be hosting his next supper club in September.
Main photo: Adam Ball
Frankie’s Fried Chicken is open from 4.30pm-9pm on Friday, 12.30pm-9pm on Saturday and from 2pm until they are sold out on Sunday.
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