Retired banker Irini Tzortzoglou, 61, was named Masterchef UK 2019 competing against two other female amateur chefs in the first all-female finale. It was the first time in the show’s history that there were no men in the final.
Ms Tzortzoglou’s family in Melbourne were particularly pleased with her achievement. “We are so excited with this phenomenal achievement!” Konstandinos Tzortzoglou, her Melbourne-based nephew told Neos Kosmos. “Greek cuisine is such an important aspect of our culture and family, so being honoured in this way is fantastic! Go Irini!”
Ms Tzortzoglou stole the show with her epic three-course finale by serving dishes inspired by her childhood and Greek heritage. It started with red mullet and squid risotto, confit tomatoes, a rosemary and garlic sauce with bottarga (grey mullet roe) and an aged balsamic foam. Her main course was rosemary lamb chops with trahanas puree (cracked wheat cooked in soured milk), peas, pearl onions and crumbled feta. Dessert consisted with a fig and hazelnut baklava with roasted honeyed fig topped with chantilly cream and a candied fig ice-cream on a hazelnut crumble.
Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace were amazed by the Greek flavours.
“Irini’s little touches of Greek flavours and Greek ingredients are nothing short of inspired,” said Mr Wallace. “You can learn cooking technique, what you can’t put into somebody is absolute love and passion, and Irini is just bursting with it. It’s from the heart every time she cooks.”
Mr Torode agreed. “Taking the food that she knows from the island of Crete and putting it into a modern context – that’s what Irini does and it’s stunning,” he said. “She has a magic in her finger tips and a fire in her belly. She wanted to make her grandchildren proud – she’s done that!”
Ms Tzortzoglou said her biggest ambition now that she has won is to “continue learning, researching, experimenting and showcasing Greek food and ingredients.” SHe said she would love to publish a lifestyle book with memories and recipes, and this is something she has been writing for the last year. She also indicated that she would love a programme that combines cooking and travel around Greece. “With its diverse land and climate Greece provides for a variety of produce and food,” she said.
Her win has given her a new confidence. “I can finally say I believe in me; I believe it takes something tough at times, but that strength can surface, and when it does it can achieve wonders,” she said.
Ms Tzortzoglou was born in Heraklion, Crete, but moved to London in her early 20s when her father passed away unexpectedly when he was aged 48. She lives in Cumbria but divides most of her time between England and Greece. Known on the show as the Greek grandmother, Ms Tzortzoglou has three step-children and three step-grandchildren.