Julie
Legacy Name: Carols

I met my husband just before university and we married and had children, as you do. I enjoyed experimenting with food and recipes, and trying new things. My children were allowed to veto one vegetable, but only after trying it first. Everything had to be tried before saying you didn't like it. Otherwise, how would they know?

My children were grown and out living their lives, and I grew increasingly bored. While hubby had his career, mine had been being a mum. Then I saw an advertisement for a new competition TV show that was wanting home cooks to apply. I thought, why not? and threw my hat into the ring.

Somehow, I got chosen as one of the few out of thousands of entries! I was super nervous but my family said I deserved it as I was always an amazing cook. But they were biased. But maybe the TV people would see right through me, that I was a fake! I went on the show and every episode was so difficult, but so worth it when I survived the eliminations. I started to realise that maybe I was better than I had believed.

I learned so much from the judges who were amazing chefs, as well as my fellow contestants who would share tips they had learned. We all got along so well, and cheered each other on, despite it being a competition. My self esteem rose so much!

It was exciting and terrifying and the weeks slipped away. Suddenly we were the final 5! How did I get so far?? Then the final four, then the final three in the semi final. Oh my goodness how was I in the Grand Finale?? Me? The housewife? I saw my family and they helped me so much to get nerves of steel for the final cook. It was hard and we had to cook all day. We both did amazing dishes.

When my name rang out as the first ever winner, I was gobsmacked. Shock ran through me and I cried as my family ran over to hug me. My name was on magazines and I was on TV talk shows!

Then I had several offers of work, and the first thing I wanted to do was to share my experiences and knowledge. To inspire people to try cooking and experimenting, like I had. So I had a little TV show on a food channel for a while, also learning more about cooking and doing guest appearances and started working on my own cookbook.

After a few years I wanted more. So I opened a cooking school, and have a lot of recipes available online. To teach people who want to learn about flavour, and how to mix them. To try new things and learn old ways. To see the delight on their faces makes everything worthwhile. You never stop learning or growing as a chef.

My family still thinks I'm the world's best chef. I don't argue with them any more, but I know they're still biased.

Minestrone Soup

Crispy Pork Belly in Ginger Broth

Sage and Garlic Chicken with Celeriac Puree and Spinach Ball

Hong Kong Crispy Skinned Chicken

Balmain Bugs with Angel Hair Pasta

Sweet and Sour Duck with Ho Fun Noodles

Date and Lemon Scones

Strawberry Tart with Creme Fraiche Filling