Britain's Best Dish Second Round

I didn’t have to wait as long this time to find out if I was one of the lucky two, as the regional final was on the 21st. But the wait was none the less agonising.

Once again it was Mark Butcher (whom I had grown quite fond of) who delivered the good news. I squealed with delight, ITV would be coming to film me at work and then at home with the children in a few days time- time to tidy up !!!

Then I would travel down to London to face my unknown competitor. Who would be given the title of the Midlands best starter? and an opportunity to compete in the national quarter finals?

Everyone was excited; the children were given special permission to miss the afternoon of school. My very good friends arrived at work to support me as well as mum and dad.
The film crew were totally great they filmed me at work in the garden centre shop and then demonstrating how to prepare a spring hanging basket.

Then it was time to get cooking. The children and I made cupcakes, which is one of our favourite activities. Using our own free range eggs and baking them in my beloved Aga- Aggie. We had such fun!
I travelled down to London on the 20th, once again with my cool bag containing my priceless Chase Farm gammon hock and Just oil, extra virgin rapeseed oil and my local butter.

This time I didn’t feel nervous about the cooking, having already experienced the studio and aware of the processes involved in filming, I actually felt a sense of calm excitement. However now the competition actually meant something to me- if I won the regional final I would be given the opportunity to cook in the professional kitchens at Hackney catering college. Where not only would the three judges taste my dish but also three prestigious food critics also including the much admired Sophie Grigson and Waitrose’s William Sitwell. An opportunity to impress, what an honour too. That would be totally amazing!

It was only when Sarah (a really lovely member of the crew also from the Midlands) came to collect us from the hotel that I met my fellow starter cook. His name was Michael and once again I recognised him from the auditions in Coventry. A truly nice guy but clearly competitive and very eager to win. Had I met my match?

He was cooking Jerk Chicken- a dish very special to him and his Jamaican roots. He was using a complex mix of spices adapted from a traditional family recipe. This was going to be tough, but I told myself to enjoy the day. I was confident in my dish, made with good quality British ingredients, a good British dish made by a good (well most of the time hee hee!) cook- that’s ME. The best starter would shine through.

I had decided to eliminate the coconut foam from the dish as in the last round all judges had not been particularly complimentary about it! In its place I would garnish my ham hock with fresh pea shoots and to the reduced liquid a dash of vinegar, to glaze the meat and bring out more flavour. To the local butter I would add two types of mustard a strong English and a whole grain mild variety to add texture.
Upon practising the dish at home I felt that these improvements would be well received by the judges- but only time would tell.

Mary Nightingale greeted Michael and me and it was time for the cook off. Michael clearly shares the same passion for good food as I. His blend of spices for the Jerk chicken smelt divine. I remained focused and set to. 50 minutes really isn’t much time so organisation was key.

All went well and once again proudly delivered my dish to the judges table, I had done my best there was nothing else I could do. The judges decided to taste my dish first, then Michaels. Michael had been anxious that his seasoning had burnt but the judges were very complimentary about the flavour and the presentation of his dish. Jilly felt that the parsley should have been chopped more finely in my ham hock and that I should have perhaps put more mustard in my butter. John commented about the sweetness and consistency of my Veloute. Now I was not feeling over confident at all.

But thankfully when the verdict came both Jilly and John voted for my starter and Ed gave Michael his vote. Which meant I had done it! MY pea veloute and marinated ham hock had triumphed- my starter was the best of the Midlands- what an achievement.

Midlands best starter 2011- Penny Zako’s Pea Veloute and marinated Ham Hock
I Love Our British Foods
Next stop Hackney Cater ring  college, now the cooking was serious!

Launch of My New Website pennyzako.co.uk

I have now launched my new website (www.pennyzako.co.uk) about where you will latest news on my entry into Britian's Best Dish 2011, Great British modern seasonal recipes and much more.