Chef, TV Presenter and the King of Sunday Sessions
Born and raised in Edmonton, 6ft 6 Turkish Cypriot Hasan Semay was first made a judge on BBC Three’s Young MasterChef in 2024.
Has is the author of two books, including the Sunday Times bestseller Big Has HOME, and the forthcoming Big Has AWAY (July 2025). He is a familiar face to millions as a regular guest on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, and has previously appeared on The Big Breakfast, as well as BBC, E4 and ITV2 cooking shows such as Celeb Cooking School and Bad Chefs.
Has graduated from Jamie Oliver’s 15 programme in 2011. After a series of jobs that didn’t light his fire, and hours spent watching cooking shows, his mum convinced him to apply and from then on, cooking became his first love.
He went on to spend the next 10 years cooking in high end kitchens all over London until Covid hit and he found himself without a job. His passion for cooking endured, and his YouTube channel Sunday Sessions was born. The channel is all about the food (and some lovely camera work) as Has takes beautiful ingredients and cooks them up in his downtrodden back garden – come rain or shine. And it’s all served with a side of Has’s signature charisma.
In recent years, he has contributed regularly to the Guardian Feast magazine, hosted supper clubs at Jamie Oliver’s, as well as other venues around the UK. Has was featured in the special 20th Anniversary issue of Observer Food Monthly as one of the ‘next big things’ to watch.
In 2024, Has became a regular choice for The One Show VTs, as well as cementing himself as a brand favourite when it comes to social media campaigns. He has worked with the likes of Gorillas, Asda, Captain Morgan and many more.