Hannah for MasterChef 2025 / BBC
Age: 38
Occupation: Mortgage Broker
From: Brighton via Shoreham-by-Sea
How would you describe your style of cooking?
“My cooking style is insane! There is nothing I don’t cook, my cooking swings from delicate French patisserie to robust fiery curries – depending on whatever I fancy eating. As a single mum, money is tight, so if I want to try a food I haven’t had before I have to make it myself. Most people know me for my baking and desserts though – purely because that is probably where my strengths lie and I’m always called upon to make everyone’s birthday cakes.”
What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why?
“I would pick sugar as a favourite cooking ingredient, for its versatility. It’s not only a sweetener, it’s a fundamental basis for a lot of dessert structures – Salted Caramel for example. It can also be used in savoury dishes and I just adore anything that combines sweet and salty elements. I’m a salt fiend. Yes, I know it is bad for me – so is sugar.”
Why did you enter MasterChef this year?
“I’m known around town (small town) as the cook and baker and everyone has always said I’m a great cook so I thought I’d apply to MasterChef and see if they were right. From the minute I decided to apply I just kind of knew I’d get a place – or maybe I just convinced myself of that and manifested it.”
MasterChef continues Wednesday at 8pm on BBC One.
