Good Food Blog
MasterChef
Posted at 12:02PM, 04 March 2008 by Gregg Wallace - TV presenter, greengrocer
MasterChef is over, well it might not be over - I have a sneaking suspicion there may be another one before too long. I'm amazed at the popularity of the show and thanks to everybody who tuned in to watch. I've said it before, but I mean it, the standard of cook just gets better and better each year. Sometimes, I stand there with my jaw open, thinking, where on earth do these amateur cooks pick up their skills? Obviously, congratulations to James, but a very big well done to Jonny and Emily too.
My favourite bits during the competition were when the three finalists truly excelled. For James, I think, his finest hour came in the finals when they revisited the invention test. To not know what ingredients you are going to cook, and to come up with a plate of food as fine as that, in 50 minutes, was nothing short of incredible. Many a pro chef wouldn't have been able to do that.
Jonny, always battled with his confidence, but to take charge of the pastry section at a wedding, a couple's very special day, amidst the splendour of Blenheim Palace, and turn out 120 absolutely perfect desserts, was fantastic. I will remember the look of satisfaction on Jonny's face for a long time to come.
Emily, well, I've never seen John Torode so emotional. Throughout the early rounds he kept telling me we had somebody really special. I knew she was good, but I suddenly realised just how good she was, when she produced what she referred to as a 'mud pie'. It was a chocolate pudding made to look like it was melting. Believe me, it wasn't. It was firm all the way around. It just looked like it was oozing over the plate. Emily had put crystalised tarragon leaves sticking from it in little tufts to recreate grass. Wonderful stuff.
I've had a great time judging it and tasting all that food. Thanks to all of you who watched the programme.
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