Irini Tzortzoglou from Greece was crowned UK’s MasterChef on Friday night. In an dramatic all-female finale, the retired banker impressed the judge with a menu inspired from her childhood on the island of Crete and the Greek heritage.
Irini’s 3-course menu included red mullet with a squid risotto,lamb chops with rosemary jus, baklava with fig and hazelnuts.
Judges Greg Wallace and John Torode praised the love and passion Irini puts in her dishes with “awesome” and “stunning.”
Upon hearing that she won, the 61-year-old winnner asked whether she could share the trophy with her contestants in the finals, Delia Maria Asser and Jilly McCord.
Saturday morning, Irini Tzotzoglou posted on her Twitter account.
Waking up this morning feeling the luckiest, most blessed woman alive! 1000s of messages of love and @MumfordAndSons celebrating my victory!!! pic.twitter.com/bFIe3nSLlh
— Irini Tzortzoglou (@irinitzo) March 30, 2019
The competition started seven weeks ago, with 54 contestants participating initially.
Video: the finals
Irini Tzotzoglou lives in Cumbria.
