Penelope for MasterChef 2025 Heat 1 / BBC
Age: 70
Occupation: Writer
From: Dorset via Australia and New Zealand
How would you describe your style of cooking?
“I like to experiment as I have travelled and am always searching for different flavour and texture combinations. My style has been described as eclectic. Perhaps you could call it a new Antipodean-based style like ‘Con-Fusion’, because it confounds some people until they taste it. This week it has been a breakfast of chilled strawberries on hot buttered toast, with a dollop of salted rosewater and cardamom ice-cream. After all, it does have all the elements of toast and jam.”
What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why?
“I love to cook with anything, particularly if it is new to me and I can invent something. I have crazes for flavours. My current ones are tamarind, fennel, rosewater and cardamom. Not always together!”
Why did you enter MasterChef this year?
“My friends and family have nagged me to do this since MasterChef started. I cannot resist a challenge, and why not at 70 years old! A lesson that you can have a go at just about anything if you are passionate about it.”
MasterChef returns Wednesday at 8pm on BBC One.
