MasterChef viewers were left to question where they knew Solihull contestant Pookie after stealing the show in the first episode of the new 18th series. The 45-year-old impressed audiences and impressed Greg Wallace and John Torode with his imaginative recipes.
He made a dish called ‘Shallow Sea-Bed Life’. It consisted of tiger prawns served with Tom Kha Thai coconut milk soup, coral, a lime froth and garnished with cherry tomato masago and salmon roe, coriander, and samphire.
But BBC viewers were more distraught with her eating as they were convinced they had seen her on any other TV show. He took to Twitter to comment as he said he immediately recognized the talented cook.
@lacrezz wrote: “Googling Pookie… where have I seen her before… can’t find anything but she’s definitely something else @MasterChefUK #masterchef.”
@beverleysings59 commented: “What was Pookie doing before?” @SaffronKim asked: “Where have I seen Pookie before? #MasterChef.” And @sjwaterer commented: “I just said the same thing… I’ve definitely seen him on something before but I can’t remember and it’s really bothering me #Masterchef.”
It looks like Pookie hasn’t been on any other TV show before, but viewers may have seen her old beauty salon before. She used to run her own salon in Solihull before retiring.
It seems her cooking is due for payment, with Judges John and Greg seriously impressed by her recipes. Greg Wallace told her: “Pookie we think you’re amazing, you’ve got yourself an apron.”
She has made it to the next round of the BBC show and will appear again next week. MasterChef airs on BBC One on Wednesdays at 8 pm.
