A new darts sensation captivating the Alexandra Palace crowd has set his sights on a target far from the oche: building a Chinese takeaway empire. Justin Hood, the unseeded debutant who has stormed into the World Darts Championship quarter-finals, has opened up about his culinary dreams alongside his darting ambitions.
From Hotel Porter to Darts Prodigy
Justin Hood, 32, from Weston-super-Mare, has been the story of the tournament. Having only turned professional in January, he was a 1,000-1 outsider to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy. Yet, his remarkable journey to the last eight has already secured him a life-changing £100,000 in prize money, a stark contrast to his previous highest payout of £6,500.
The former night porter at a hotel now finds himself preparing for a New Year's Day showdown with the legendary Gary Anderson. However, his mind is also firmly fixed on a future business venture inspired by his lifelong passion.
A Passion for Prawn Toast and Pepper Chicken
Throughout his fairytale run, Hood has frequently mentioned his love for Chinese cuisine, a fondness that began when he was 15. "I remember the first time we’d done it," Hood recalled. "We played in the Super League. Finished the game, and then we got it on the way home. All I had was egg fried rice, chicken curry. And I never stopped since."
His typical order is extensive: special curry, egg fried rice, Singapore chow mein, barbecue ribs, prawn toast, salt and pepper chicken, salt and pepper chips and a bit of barbecue sauce. He admitted his household enjoys the cuisine two or three times a week, joking that with his new wealth, it could become a daily occurrence. "I can’t cook. I burn toast," he confessed.
Building a Food Empire: From Weston to the Pro Tour
Now, with his darting success bringing financial security, Hood's dream of opening a restaurant is evolving into a grander plan. Initially considering a site in his hometown, he now envisions a mobile operation to accompany the professional darts circuit.
"I was thinking of opening the place where I live in Weston-super-Mare, but I also want to get a mobile one," Hood revealed. "So, when we go away to the Pro Tours, we can sell it to the players. After they’ve taken prize money off me, when they’ve beaten me, they can spend it on my Chinese van."
He and his wife have already brainstormed playful names for the venture, such as 'Egg Fried (Gerwyn) Price' or 'Oche to the Wokky'. Following his third-round victory over Ryan Meikle, Hood and nine friends celebrated with a £300 Chinese feast, and he planned another before facing Anderson.
"I think we're there," Hood said of his business plan after beating Josh Rock in the last-16. "I don't think I've got a choice now. I haven't got a timeline. We'll be looking into it after the Worlds has finished and go from there."
As he steps onto the Ally Pally stage for his biggest match yet, Justin Hood carries not just hopes of darting glory, but also the sizzling dream of a future filled with special curry and salt and pepper chips.
