11 nail biting weeks have passed, hundreds of hours have been spent simmering, sautéing and sweating in front of the judges and plenty of tears have been shed (mostly by Sinéad!) so we spoke to the Masterchef winner to get the inside scoop on the hit series…
What made you decide to enter Masterchef?
I’ve always loved the show so one day I was sitting in work at my desk and I just thought to myself I’m not half bad, it looks like fun so I’m just going to take the risk and do it.
What’s your cooking background?
I’ve always been a massive foodie and love buying cookbooks, trying out new recipes and cooking for family and friends but I’d never tried to cook on this scale before so I really was a total amateur before entering the competition.
Favourite episode/challenge?
Getting the chance to cook in the professional kitchens in London and Stockholm were my favourite challenges. It was only in Stockholm that I really thought I stood a good chance of winning and that I could do it. But, it was so funny to watch the show back and see Bjorn Frantzen’s (head chef and owner of two star Michelin restaurant Frantzen/Lindeberg) comments that I would fit into his kitchen. I was totally oblivious at the time so I actually did an air punch watching it back, it was brilliant!
Favourite dish you cooked?
It’s so hard to pick but I think it would be between the prawn curry I made for my audition and the rooibos tea, ginger and black pepper ice cream I made after the ice cream masterclass. It was just such a fun day.
Worse dish you cooked?
The lowest point of the competition was the soufflé challenge and it was a big learning curve for me – but I can make a mean soufflé now!
What’s the biggest influence on your cooking?
I think I always think outside the box and try to use unusual flavours in my cooking but I also think that South Africa is a big influence – like the rooibos ice cream I made – I grew up drinking rooibos tea so that was about bringing a childhood memory back to life.
Did you ever get used to the cameras?
At the start it was so strange because you’re cooking in a different place, you’re cooking with different utensils and the judges are watching your every move but you soon forget they are there and if they were really annoying us we’d just tell them to go away! The camera guys are great though and you do get used to it.
Judges Nick Munier and Dylan McGrath put the contestants through their paces every week
Cooking for the judges must have been so daunting. Who was scarier – Nick or Dylan?
In my audition I was so nervous, I was sweating! The judges are serious about what we are doing and Dylan is definitely a bit scarier and it’s not an act for the camera but there’s a side to the judges that you don’t see off camera. Dylan could have the banter with us but when he’s giving you criticism, you appreciate his comments because he knows what he’s talking about. Sometimes you don’t like what he’s saying but then you realise he’s actually right.
When did you feel like you had it in the bag?
You set yourself goals and I thought initially I’d love to make it into the top 10 and then I’d love to make it to the top five and then you’re like… that’s not good enough, I want to be in the top three!
Best thing you’ve taken away from the competition?
I can genuinely say that I’ve made some friends for life. We all knew it was a competition but we were able to put that aside and we were all really there for one another. We still speak to each other all the time and it’s so unusual and special to find a group of people who share your passion for food.
What’s next?
I definitely want a career in food but I haven’t decided if I want to pursue it full-time or part-time but it’ll definitely involve me working in a kitchen because I want to learn so much more. It still hasn’t sunk in yet to be honest. I’ve known since August so it’s been very surreal not being able to tell anyone but I’m just going to enjoy the win with family and friends and see where the future takes me!
