GREEK TASTE BEYOND BORDERS ‘GTBB’ | GREEK CHEF IRINI TZORTZORGLOU IS THE WINNER OF UK MASTERCHEF 2019

MasterChef 2019 has a winner, as Irini Tzortzoglou won the BBC show’s first all-female final on Friday. Irini beat Jilly and Delia to the title, and was clearly overwhelmed by the news.

Irini, Jilly and Delia were named as this year’s MasterChef finalists, after Geoff fell at the final hurdle a day earlier. It was the first time in the show’s history that three women competed for the title of MasterChef champion.

Speaking of her win she said: “I’m trembling, I’m floating on air, I don’t think my feet are touching the ground right now. What an experience, I just don’t have the words to say how thrilled and grateful I am.

She added: “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.”

All three finalists battled hard to scoop the prize, presenting their final menus to the hosts and team. But it was Irini who hosts John Torode and Gregg Wallace named as the winner for 2019.

Gregg said: “Irini’s little touches of Greek flavours and Greek ingredients are nothing short of inspired. 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.”

John added: “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. 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!”