LISA FAULKNER CROWNED CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF 2010  
 
Lisa Faulkner is the winner of Celebrity MasterChef 2010, it was announced today (FRI).
 
After two weeks of heats, a daunting knock out week and two weeks of gruelling semi-finals and finals, Lisa Faulkner was awarded her trophy by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
 
Actress Lisa Faulkner, best known for playing Dr Merrick on Holby City, said: “I’ve never won anything and now I’ve won this! I’m really proud of myself. Honestly, not in my wildest dreams did I think this was possible! I’ve loved learning so much about food and I just want to learn more.”

John Torode said: “I am really proud of Lisa. She has no idea how good she really is – she has a natural touch and a fantastic palate. The idea that someone comes into MasterChef, starts at a certain level and continues to grow and gets better and better is fantastic – she continued to improve and is completely in love with food.”

Gregg Wallace said: “You can’t want for anything else from food other than to put it in your mouth and go ‘Oh my word’ – Lisa elevates humble food into something beautiful.

“She’s a brilliant champion and possibly the best celebrity MasterChef winner we have ever had. I can’t wait to see her cook again at MasterChef Live in November.”

Throughout the final week Lisa, alongside other finalists Christine Hamilton and Dick Strawbridge, had to demonstrate her creativity, skill and determination as the finalists faced some of the toughest challenges on MasterChef ever.  

These included: cooking for the principle dancers at one of France’s most iconic landmarks - the Moulin Rouge in Paris then travelling 100 miles to the heart of the Champagne region to cater an exclusive Chateau dinner for the Champagne masters of France, catering an elegant lunch for 20 travellers on the Orient Express and finally the ultimate and most intimidating test – cooking a three course Michelin standard meal at the one starred L’Autre Pied for five of the best chefs in the country: Tom Kitchin, John Campbell, Angela Hartnett, Michael Caines MBE and Michel Roux Jr.

The final task was to prepare a three-course meal for judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Lisa’s winning menu consisted of a starter of Goats Cheese and Red Onion Tart with Thyme Pastry served with Red Onion Marmalade and a Rocket Salad, a main of Pan Fried Monkfish with a Butternut Squash Fondant, French Beans wrapped in Pancetta and a Sauce Vierge, and a dessert of Almond Panna cotta with Poached Tamarillos and Berries.

Of her MasterChef journey Lisa said: “This competition is extremely tough. I’ve been thrown so completely out of my comfort zone and I’ve put everything into it. I’ve so enjoyed pushing myself and doing things that I never ever thought I’d be able to do.”
Speaking since filming she says: “You know, John Torodes says MasterChef will completely change your life – he is completely right, because it has totally changed my life. I now cook all the time, I cook every day. If I’m stressed I go cook, I try things I’ve never tried before and I absolutely love it. It’s just opened up a whole new world to me and I can’t tell you I just want to learn more – I’ve just become obsessed with it.”

Notes to Editors:

Lisa, will be appearing at the BBC Good Food Show Scotland which runs from 22nd – 24th October and also at MasterChef Live at Olympia from 12th -14th November.  To watch her cooking, see other members of the MasterChef series demonstrate or join in with the iconic Invention Test judged by John and Gregg please log on to www.mastercheflive.com

For further information, pictures or interviews with Lisa please contact Plank PR on 020 8995 3936 or lou@plankpr.com. For pictures please contact Linsey Nathan on 020 8995 3936.