One of my favourite TV programmes is Masterchef; I love all the versions, the general one, the celebrity one, and the one which is on now Masterchef the Professional . I enjoy seeing the different chefs with their different styles, backgrounds and knowledge, and all the ideas, some weird which work, and some weird which… well, they are less than successful. I love watching the different techniques they use, the ingredients some of which are familiar to me, some which are completely new… and all the latest fashions and fads for food.
I guess, however, most of all, I like the way the different personalities emerge, some shy ones become more confident, some cocky ones settle down and become calmer, some are so nervous you can see them shaking, others seem so cool! Some are real underdogs, battling against the odds and yet have raw talent which shines through, some have years of experience and are looking to the programme to raise them up to the next level.
There are all sorts of different stories behind these chefs; different backgrounds – some seeming to have had every advantage in life, others from more humble origins. They come from every country of the United kingdom and beyond, bringing all sorts of original foods and skills.
I admire all of them, every single one… it takes guts to put yourself up on public display, to take the risk, to take the chance. They are all trying their best and even though some of them clearly think they are better than they are, they have ambition and want to pursue their love of cooking to the next level.
Good luck to all the new contestants… we haven’t seen all of them yet… and I can’t wait to meet them!
Lois Elsden 