Friday 16 March 2007

Masterchef 2007!!!!




Wow, wow, wow.... watching last night's show was such a rollercoaster of emotions. I think I might have to take myself and my poor adrenal glands off to somewhere quiet to recoup, as I can't believe how much adrenalin was running through me watching last night's show! Hannah, Ben and myself had known who the winner was since the filming wrapped, tonight's outcome and watching it as a viewer and not the participant was really moving, and had finally allowed everyone who is close to us the chance to see what we really achieved and how much we evolved not just as cooks, but as people.

It's just amazing to reconnect with the emotions that final day; all of the tension, with the big question of 'had I done enough?' 'had I planned properly?' - or had I again got carried away with over complication and screwed my chances. Everyone's nerves were so fraught, and I guess the biggest thing was that after this, after months of reading, planning, cooking and labouring over dish after dish, this was it, the final day had come. Well for once I got it right, and I will never forget hearing my name being called as the three of us stood there shaking as we waited for the verdict.

I need to say many words about Hannah and Ben, who in my mind are two of the most amazing people I have ever met. The three of us had spent over five weeks together filming, travelling together, and not once did we bicker or allow ourselves to be consumed by the competition. Whenever one of us had a bad day, lack of confidence or need to whinge, we were all there to pick each other up and hastily made tea, and dished out the pep talks. Both of them , with their extraordinary talents kept the pace and standard of the Masterchef finals so high, there were many days when I glumly realised I couldn't compete and would have to admirably concede to defeat. Without them, I wouldn't have had the amazing, amazing time during the finals (and the semis too..), with all the laughs and stories on the way. Here's to them;

Hannah is a true star, and the most naturally gifted cook I will ever meet. We got on from day one, and I have just been so enamoured by her amazing warmth and incredible spirit. Her talent is so fascinating and I find the way she works is like a poet or writer from the 17th Century. She artfully juggles ingredients and flavours like a perfumer, and makes it look so easy. Her style is effortless, and cooks so much from the heart, she creates the kind of food that I know many people in this country will love and want much, much more of. Its rare to meet such kindred spirits in life, and Hannah is definately one of them, one of the people you know will be a part of your life for the rest of your life. I think that the episode with us on sunloungers on a Cyprus beach at 3am, roaring and cackling like wild beasts was one of the best moments of my life.
We would both like to start cooking together at some point, as we both share so much and are moved and inspired by similar things. The best bit about us though is that we always laugh together, and and I think that is something very special indeed.

I have always admired Ben for his incredible sophistication, artistry and brilliant execution - I can't say enough how much he derserves praise for his creative genius. Ben has always demostrated through his cooking his technical brilliance and exceptional palette and sublime understanding of flavours. I have no doubts that he will achieve such high excellence within the industry, and becomes a legendary chef. I wouldn't be surprised if Ben gets his stars in a few years time, and I will look forward to toasting his every success.

I have to thank the amazing chefs I have worked with during the show for their incredible words and guidance, and allowing me to gain access to their incredible worlds. I hope to continue learning from you all and many, many more of you too. Thanks to Brendan, Grace and Richard at Bentley's for making me understand elegant simplicity, Patrice and Jerome at the Savoy (and thanks for the oak chips for my final meal too!) Christophe at the Ritz Paris, Yannick's hardcore haute vision, and insanely beautiful work, and to Michel Roux Jr. - with whom I look forward to starting work with in the next few weeks.

I have got so many people to say thankyou to for helping me navigate me through all of this, and for always believing in me when my self-belief failed; most importantly my family and friends who have stuck by me through thick and thin, and whose patience I have tested to the limits on many an occassion. I love you all and am honoured to have you in my life. (Sounding like an Oscars acceptance speech here...)

I have a say a huge thankyou also to all of the people that have stopped me in the street and wished me well, and for all the wonderful emails of support and congratulations. Thanks also to all of those of you on the message boards that have been so supportive, and have written such great things. It really means so much to me. Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou!

Lastly, I need to thank John, Gregg, Karen, David, Beth and all the crew for taking me on this journey, and for opening my eyes to my own potential and ability as a cook. Your vision and support over these past few months has been truly amazing. Thankyou for reconnecting me with my gifts and allowing me this amazing platform from which I can really transform who I am.

Steven.

32 comments:

Unknown said...

Congratulations Steven! I have enjoyed the series very much and wish you (and Hannah and Ben) all the best for the future.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Steven! This series of Masterchef was fantastic and I was so delighted to see you win.
Paul

Red said...

My husband and I punched the air and cheered when your name was announced! Yay for you. We were rooting for you all the way and were delighted to see how well you fared with the Michelin chefs and in the Parisian restaurant.

Well done!

PS: Is John Torode as much of a sweetie in real life as he comes across on TV? ;D

* (asterisk) said...

I'm the aforementioned husband who also punched the air, Steven. Big congrats to you. We literally had you picked as our fave from Day One (well, from your first appearance). And you looked so surprised with every one of your successes. It was great to watch.

Did I read that right? You are going to be working with M Roux? If so, that is fantastic news.

All the best for the future. And I'm sure you already know: this career just gets tougher!

Unknown said...

Many congratulations Steven, what an achievement! and it sounds like it's just the beginning of a new and very exciting change in your life - what fabulous opportunities are coming up, I'm sure you'll make the most of them.

Can I just say too, how warm you sound when you talk about Hannah, and Ben and David too, what a nice man you must be :-)

We kept a close eye on you ever since your Thai Fish Curry and Orange Dessert and are thrilled that you won, but good luck to all of you and thanks for making a very enjoyable series.

Please keep your blog up to date, I'll be checking to see your reports of what you're up to!

Anonymous said...

well done steven

loved your comments about cooking in paris, and their's about you.

you throughly deserved the title, and i look forward to eating your food one day.

see you at taste of london

misssfitt

Lois said...

Well done Steven!

Was very pleased to see you win. Not sure I could have withstood the pressure and emotions, gone the distance and grown in the the same way you, and Ben and Hannah did.

Have the most amazing time at the Gavroche!

Loisx

Anonymous said...

Well done!

I am so sad this year's series is over, have loved watching it and learnt loads from it.

Can't wait to see what's next for you all...

Heather said...

Congratulations Steven! Watching you rise to every challenge was so inspiring. I learned as much about courage as I did about cooking! Here's hoping I can name-drop my fantastic dining experience at Steve Wallis's restaurant someday ;-)

Lisa Durbin said...

Congratulations, Steven!! What an excellent series - all three of you did brilliantly. The very best of luck to you!

Anonymous said...

Well what a roller coaster you, Ben, Hannah and David have put we the viewer's of Masterchef through, how I felt for you all and what you were going through, very brave people indeed!
Many congratulations Steven, you are obviously a very gifted cook and a well deserved winner!
Best wishes to you in all your future projects.
Helen

Anonymous said...

All tired and emotional after Masterchef - and that's just the viewers! I can't imagine how you all felt. Very well done and good luck for the future.

Anonymous said...

Steven, CONGRATULATIONS.

What an emotional end!! It was a fantastic journey to watch (and it must have been amazing to be part of it).

Hope to hear much more of you.

Henk, Leiden, The Netherlands

Anonymous said...

What on earth are we going to do at 6.30 now!

All of us were so pleased for you -you thoroughly deserved it. We even cracked open the cava to help you celebrate!

Please blog it up if you and Hannah are able to do something together - we'd love to know.

Well done to the others too as Hannah, Ben and David all did brilliantly.

Keep on cooking!

Gretel said...

I was in tears too when you won, it was quite exhausting just watching the series - you did splendidly, congratulations. Is there life after Master Chef, we ask ourselves - the evenings seem awfully empty now.

Anonymous said...

Dear Steven, CONGRATULATIONS!! Very very well done!!
You have done so incredibly well and I have enjoyed following your journey.
All the very best for your future, but I am sure you will be a great success.
Great that you have a blog, and I will be following it.

I hope that maybe you and Hannah will go and do something together, somehow to two of you seemed to click and work together so well; almost like magic.

Good luck Steven and well done again,
Erica from the Netherlands xx

Colin said...

Congratulations Steven. My wife and I were rooting for you from the start. We were on tenterhooks at the end of the last episode of Masterchef.

We wish you all the best for the future. Well Done!!

Anonymous said...

********Well Done Steven********
The Chef and the Greengrocer did you proud!!

Kai Hendry said...

Greatly enjoyed watching you the other night.

Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congrats Steven - you deserved it so much. I cannot imagine what it must have been like going through all those tasks and you pulled it all off with aplomb. Plus you like Beth Ditto which makes you even cooler in every way! Fantastic band - you are a man of excellent taste!

Well done again,
Rebeckah x

Christine said...

Well done Steven. I loved the series and thought the high level of skill you all showed was amazing, not to mention the pressure you had to cope with. Good luck for the future.
Christine

Rammstein said...

it was a pleasure to see you win. I had been rooting for you here in the Netherlands for weeks.

I hope you go on to have a great career in cooking and that all your culinary dreams may come true.

Anonymous said...

You are a worthy winner Steven. Well done and I look forward to seeing you at Taste of London.

Simon

Paula Bowles said...

Hello Steven
I'm a bit late, but wanted to say a big 'Congratulations', we loved every minute of masterchef, you are an inspiration. And you are very talented!
Good luck for the future!
px

Anonymous said...

Steven,

I just wanted to add my contratulations to all the other well wishers who have posted comments on your site.

My friends and I have all really enjoyed following you, Hannah, Ben and David for the last few weeks.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do and once again wel, well done and congratulations.

Ian, Liverpool

Anonymous said...

Hi Steven

I caught the last two nights of Masterchef. It made wonderful TV but I was truly amazed by the talents of you three finalists and the skills you demonstrated. I have cooked all my life but could not hold a candle to your efforts. Brilliant!

You must be inundated with offers at the moment. I just wanted to add my congratulations but if you ever feel the urge I would like to publish some of your recipes on my web site www.hub-uk.com. If they are online just give me permission to copy them and I will do the rest or if you have a question about Hub-UK please email me - david@hub-uk.com

David

Julia said...

Hi Steven!

Many, many congratulations and all the best for where this takes you.

And welcome to the world of food blogging from a fellow food blogger! Come and visit me sometime - http://asliceofcherrypie.blogspot.com/

Julia

Dean said...

Hi Steven

Congratulations to you on your masterchef success!
I work for a Graphic design company based in Leeds and one of our clients is a multicultural Arts, craft and food market based in the city centre. We are having a big relaunch in May and very much like to have you there (for several reason, but it would be bettter if i could speak to you direct). If you are interested please get in touch.

Regards
Dean

dean@ideasstarthere.com
0113 240 9396
07949 030 281

Anonymous said...

Hi Steve,

Congratulations!!! I come from Melbourne, and we have just started watching your series of Masterchef. I couldn't resist and had to jump onto the MasterChef website to see who won!! I am so tragic!

Anyway, I am looking forward to watching you at work!

All the best,

Ally O
Melbourne

Anonymous said...

Watched your heat two nights ago! Your quarter final is on tomorrow night. Your curry looked so delicious, I could feel the saliva glands aching!

Ally O

Anonymous said...

Just finished watching the series here in Australia. well done Steven. Knew it was between you and Hannah. What am I going to do at 7.30 every night now?? Look forward to the next series and hearing about your success.
Marie. Brisbane

Anonymous said...

Hello! :) I've been watching the re-run for several weeks, and watched the final today.

I was so delighted for you when you won! Very well deserved. Many congratulations, albeit a little after the event :)