Australian-born cook wows British MasterChef judges
Kristen Dodd (far right) has made it into the top seven of MasterChef UK. Photo: BBC
A tantalising dish of grilled cod with artichokes and seaweed salt has won an Australian-born contestant a spot in the Masterchef UK finals watched by millions of people.
Communications specialist Kristen Dodd made the top seven in the British competition screened on the BBC after impressing the judges on Wednesday night’s episode.
Dodd grew up in the Adelaide suburb of Craigburn Farm, moving to London at 21 on a working holiday visa to pursue her career in communications.
This week, judges described her dish of grilled cod with Jerusalem artichoke crisps seasoned with Japanese seaweed salt, alongside pickled grapes and a sake butter sauce, as “impressive”.
“Your cod has got a beautiful shine in the centre, this buttery creamy sauce has lovely layers and a lovely acidity at the end. The notes of sake in there are beautiful,” judge Anna Haugh said.
Another member of the judging panel, Grace Dent, commented: “I love the Jerusalem artichoke crisps, especially because it has the seaweed salt, which pairs beautifully with sake in the sauce. You’ve pickled the grapes but they’re not too vinegary.
“I think it’s accomplished; I think it’s impressive”.
Dodd’s grilled cod with Jerusalem artichoke crisps. Photo: BBC
Dodd is now garnering national attention as millions of viewers tune into the program, and said her mum was “so proud”.
“I’m surprised you’ve not heard from my mum… she’s told a lot of people,” Dodd said.
“I think she has messaged a few of my primary school teachers.”
Dodd said that growing up in Adelaide shaped both her love of cooking and the South-East Asian influences that have defined much of her food in the competition.
“I had a Singaporean next-door neighbour who used to take us out for Chinese food, and make us really interesting food,” she said.
“I can remember going over there as a kid and making curry puffs with him… he was really inspiring with those kind of flavours.”
After moving to London, Dodd said food “played a huge role” in building a sense of home and community.
“Cooking really solidified those strong relationships that you really do need,” she said.
“When I first moved, I had a one-bedroom flat with my boyfriend, I remember having lots of dinner parties, and just cram everybody in.
“It wouldn’t be pretty, but it’d be tasty.”
Despite building a successful career in communications, Dodd said she “hit a turning point” two decades later, deciding to step back from her career and dedicate herself to cooking and her family.
Kristen Dodd on MasterChef UK. Photo: BBC
“I wanted to change things up in my life, spend more time with my kids, and maybe, you know, focus on what I was passionate about,” she said.
“I didn’t quit thinking I’m going to go on MasterChef.
“It was something that I saw, and I thought, you know, what’s the worst that can happen? I’m going to apply, maybe I’ll hear nothing back.”
After being accepted, Dodd said that she “left nothing in the tank… I really want to do well and make myself and my family proud of that sacrifice that we’ve all made for me to be there”.
Australians can watch Dodd’s journey through semi-finals week on season 22 on BBC One and iPlayer.
–InDaily
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